Headstart Nursery and Pre-School

Headstart Nursery and Pre-School 32 Heath Road, Upton, Chester, CH2 1HX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 June 2017 10 April 2015

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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

 Managers consistently deliver high-quality provision and aspire to be outstanding. Their commitment leads to sustained improvement that enhances outcomes for children.  The environment, both indoors and outdoors, is superbly resourced. This contributes significantly to children's all-round learning and development.  All staff are qualified in paediatric first aid. Standards of hygiene are consistently good and food is freshly prepared and nutritious. This benefits children's health and welfare.  Teaching is strong. Staff use comprehensive systems to assess children's learning. Parents report that children make impressive progress in speaking and writing.  External companies are used on a regular basis to broaden children's experiences, for instance, in music and dance, sports and Spanish.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Lunchtime in the toddler room is not organised and managed as well as possible. Some children are not as highly engaged as at other times of the day.  Managers do not focus sharply on evaluating the impact of the use of additional funding on children's outcomes.

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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

 review the organisation and management of lunchtime in the toddler room, using every opportunity to purposefully engage children  sharpen the focus on evaluating how additional funding, such as the early years pupil premium, is used to help children make the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed two joint observations with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nominated person and nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers robustly monitor practice and make good use of external assessment to help quality assure their work. They carry out daily checks to test staff on their knowledge of procedures. They also set room challenges, which motivate staff to plan inspiring activities that ignite children's interests. Self-evaluation is very effective and includes input from staff, children and parents. Staff are well supported, for instance, through ongoing supervision and training. This helps to strengthen teaching. Safeguarding is effective. Staff recruitment and vetting procedures are thorough. All staff are trained to ensure they fully understand child-protection procedures. Risks are well managed and help to assure children's safety and security.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff skilfully interact with the children and deliver well-planned activities that support their needs and interests. They organise playrooms particularly well, so that children enjoy a wide variety of sensory experiences. Staff and managers closely monitor children's progress to make sure children are not falling behind in their learning. Engagement with parents and other professionals is very effective and helps to ensure children's needs are fully addressed. Parents are kept very well informed about children's activities and progress. They express positive comments, for instance, about the seamless transition when children move from one room to another.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are well supported by kind, friendly and caring staff. This fosters strong bonds and helps children to feel confident, happy and safe. Staff make good use of their knowledge from training, in order to enhance children's welfare. For example, they have implemented significant changes to the environment which has made a positive difference to children's behaviour. Staff help children to learn about values, respect and tolerance. They provide clear explanations to help children understand the effect that their behaviour has on others. Children enjoy plenty of exercise in the extensive grounds. They learn to take supervised risks and keep themselves safe.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children achieve well and make good progress during their time at the nursery. Babies show growing confidence and natural curiosity as they use their senses to explore. Toddlers are fully involved in everyday routines, which helps to promote their independence. Pre-school children enthusiastically join in with lively games that help them to learn about letters and sounds. Children thoroughly enjoy their learning and develop a wide range of skills to help them become ready for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101776 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1091271 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 104 Number of children on roll 154 Name of registered person Headstart (Chester) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 April 2015 Telephone number 01244 382333

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reference number

Headstart Nursery and Pre-School registered in 2002. The nursery employs 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, 21 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with qualified teacher status. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The out-of-school club is open from 7.30am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm, during term time, and from 7.30am to 6pm during school holidays.

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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

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reference number

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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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