Letterbox Nursery

Letterbox Nursery Letter Box Day Nursery, 99 High Street, WALTON ON THE NAZE, Essex, CO14 8BA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 September 2017 12 March 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

 Teaching is good. Staff provide a broad range of interesting and stimulating activities and children are motivated and enthusiastic to join in. All children are making good progress.  Staff foster children's independence. For example, children learn how to put on their coats and shoes before playing outdoors, they serve their own snack and clear away the dishes. This helps to promote their confidence and self-esteem.  Staff provide a warm, caring environment that welcomes children and their families. They work in close partnership with parents to support all children in their care and learning needs.  The management team demonstrates a strong commitment to providing high-quality care and education. The managers regularly evaluate the nursery, which helps them to identify areas for improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The information gained from the tracking of children's progress is not always used to swiftly identify emerging gaps in their learning.  At times, information sharing is not sufficient to fully support all children when their key person is absent.

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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

 make greater use of ongoing monitoring of children's progress to precisely identify any emerging gaps in achievements  develop further the information sharing between staff to further meet the needs of all children when their key person is absent.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the 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 during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff regularly update their knowledge of child protection details and have a good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding too. They know what to do if they have concerns about a child. This contributes to keeping children safe. Staff are well-qualified. They meet frequently with the manager, which provides opportunities for them to discuss their practice and identify relevant training. Regular team meetings help to support good practice. Self-evaluation is effective. The management team uses feedback from parents, children and staff to inform planning for improvements to the nursery. There are strong links with local schools to ensure effective two-way communication which promotes good continuity of learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good knowledge of how children learn. The quality of teaching is consistently good throughout the nursery. Staff provide a range of high quality, interesting and stimulating resources in the indoor and outdoor environments. Staff get down to the children's level and interact purposefully as they play alongside each other. They engage children in meaningful conversations and skilfully ask questions to build on what they already know. This helps to support children's communication skills. Children delight in feeding the nursery pet snails and searching for insects in the garden. Staff skilfully talk to them about what they have found. Consequently, children's understanding of the world is well promoted.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and secure. They benefit from positive interactions from enthusiastic staff who know them well. Consequently, their emotional well-being is well supported. Children behave well and display positive self-esteem and confidence. Any unwanted behaviour is dealt with promptly by calm and consistent staff. Children are well prepared for the transition to school. For example, the manager arranges for children to meet their new teacher and spend time in their new school. Children have good opportunities to learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. Staff talk to them about food that is good for them at snack time. Staff promote good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before meals or and after using the toilet.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are well prepared for their next stage in learning and for starting school. Children have good social skills. They learn how to make friends and show an awareness of their own needs and those of others. Children become confident and sociable learners. Children make at least the expected progress for their age.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY369169 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1088049 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 1 - 5 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Elm Barns Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 March 2014 Telephone number 01255 851400

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reference number

Letterbox Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6 and six at level 3. One member of staff holds early years teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

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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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