Red Squirrels Nursery

Red Squirrels Nursery Warcop C of E School, Warcop, APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND, Cumbria, CA16 6NX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 March 2017 15 May 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The recently appointed manager is a highly motivated, passionate and knowledgeable early years practitioner. She has made many positive changes, since being appointed, and is focused on providing the very best quality of care and education for all children.  The manager works closely with the committee to safely recruit high-quality staff. They actively seek the views of children, staff and parents to plan for ongoing improvements.  The well-qualified staff team has a very good understanding of how to support children's learning. It helps all children to make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are very strong. Parents feel welcome, listened to and appreciate the supportive staff and their flexible practice. Parents say staff know their children well, celebrate and build on their achievements and treat them as individuals.  Children's behaviour is excellent. They form emotional bonds with staff, who treat them

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This provision is good

with kindness and help them to understand the needs of others. This promotes a positive learning environment for everyone.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although effective supervision systems are in place, targets for staff development are not consistently well linked to improving outcomes for children.  While staff are committed to extending their knowledge and skills, plans for professional development are not precisely focused on raising the quality of teaching to the highest levels.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen supervision systems further and ensure that targets set for staff development are more securely linked to improving outcomes for children  strengthen further the use of professional development opportunities to raise the quality of teaching to an even higher level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas of the setting.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector observed children playing inside and outdoors and assessed the quality of teaching and learning.  The inspector spoke to children, parents, staff and committee members during the inspection.  The inspector discussed and reviewed a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, risk assessments, suitability checks, qualifications, recent training information and records of children's progress.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. A range of robust health and safety policies and procedures is in place. Staff have a good understanding of their role related to child protection and know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare or development. Staff are deployed well to ensure that children are closely supervised, wherever they choose to play. The manager works well with other professionals, agencies and school staff to ensure that children get the support they need. Effective communication systems ensure children move smoothly between home and different learning environments. Staff track children's progress closely to identify learning needs. The manager tracks the progress of groups of children well and is focused on helping all children achieve their very best.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children become deeply focused and engaged in play for long periods. Developmentally appropriate activities are carefully planned to build on children's interests well. Staff observe and assess children as they play and extend their knowledge, skills and vocabularies through skilful and measured interventions. For example, children investigate the properties of different materials, such as flour, soapy water and paint. Staff make suggestions and help children test out their ideas, without over-directing their play. Children develop good physical skills and use a variety of resources to make marks as they play. Staff ensure that children are involved in decision making. This helps children become competent and confident communicators.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The learning environment is well organised, attractively presented and full of high-quality resources, toys and equipment. Children are keen to engage in play with staff and their peers from the moment they arrive. Staff make children and families feel very welcome and work closely with parents when children start in the setting. They ensure that care routines are followed and children's developmental needs are met. Staff support children and parents with sensitivity, and help children to settle well and feel safe and secure in their care. Children are taught how to lead healthy lifestyles and make positive choices. They have regular fresh air and exercise outdoors. Children learn about good dental health, the importance of hygiene routines and a balanced diet. Staff help children to develop increasing independence. They learn to recognise dangers and to keep themselves safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. Children who enter the setting with below expected levels of development make rapid progress. Children take turns and play cooperatively. They develop an interest in mathematical concepts as they play. Children are well supported to develop the skills and knowledge they need for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY350376 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1088018 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 19 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Red Squirrels Nursery Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 May 2014 Telephone number 01768341472

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reference number

Red Squirrels Nursery opened in 2007, is committee run and is situated in the grounds of Warcop Church of England School, Cumbria. There are five members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at foundation degree level and three at level 3. The setting opens five days a week from 9am until 3.15pm during term time only and provides funded early education places for children aged two, three and four years.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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