The Big Top Nursery

The Big Top Nursery 74c High Street, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 October 2017 26 February 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The owner and her staff have successfully addressed the recommendations set at the last inspection. For example, parents now contribute to children's online learning journals.  The owner is ambitious and hardworking. She has high expectations and is committed to improving outcomes for children. An enthusiastic staff team supports her effectively.  Children behave exceptionally well. They develop extremely positive relationships and learn how to work together, share and take turns. They form exceedingly strong bonds with staff and develop a strong sense of belonging.  Staff understand how children learn and develop. They provide a variety of stimulating and challenging activities, and children explore with confidence. All children make good progress from their starting points, including those who have special educational needs.  Staff have established effective partnerships working with parents and other

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This provision is good

professionals. They work closely together to ensure that children receive consistency in their care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although staff closely monitor the progress of individual children, they do not check that different groups of children achieve as well as each other.  Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to extend children's good mathematical skills.

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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 better use of assessment information to check that all groups of children, such as boys and girls, are achieving as well as each other  extend children's good mathematical skills, recognising and building on the opportunities that occur in children's everyday play and activity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the support for children's learning, during activities inside and outside.  The inspector spoke with staff, parents and children at convenient times throughout the morning.  The inspector checked how well staff understood how to keep children safe.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider and manager.  The inspector looked at some records, including children's learning journals, staff training certificates, accident and medication reports, and the attendance register.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The owner and staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date through team meetings and by completing training. Staff ensure that children play in a safe environment and take effective steps to minimise potential hazards. The owner and staff have effective processes to reflect on their practice. For example, they regularly attend meetings to formalise planning and discuss areas to support children's future development. The owner and staff support children's move to school well. Staff have developed effective links with children's future schools. They work closely with the children to ensure they are emotionally well prepared and ready for school when the time comes.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know their key children well and plan effectively for their development. They use detailed observations and accurate assessments to inform planning. Staff working with babies and toddlers are calm, expressive and provide a stimulating environment for them to explore. A good range of supporting resources means that children can play imaginatively and re-create familiar experiences. Staff nurture children's love of books. Children enjoy listening and re-enacting stories. For example, older children excitedly search for a character outside and scream with delight when they find him. Staff support children's language and communication skills further by encouraging children to recall what happened in the story.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are confident and they behave extremely well. Staff use highly effective settling- in procedures to support new children attending the nursery. They organise daily routines superbly to facilitate children's self-care and independent learning. Children respond to what the staff tell them and they consider the feelings of others. For example, when a child says he is feeling sad, other children sing songs to cheer him up. Children take responsibility for jobs in the nursery and this helps to raise their self-esteem. They take pride in setting the tables for mealtimes. Staff work closely with parents, and children benefit from very strong continuity of care.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are motivated to play, explore and learn. They eagerly engage in activities that help them to gain the skills they need to become ready for school. Children develop their confidence, independence and learn to follow instructions. They develop excellent listening skills and enjoy early writing opportunities. Young children confidently explore their environment, choosing activities for themselves. All children learn skills that prepare them well for their next stage of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY465545 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 1069495 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 85 Name of registered person Big Top Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 February 2014 Telephone number 07780 441070

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reference number

The Big Top Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery operates every weekday for 51 weeks of the year and opening times are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. A team of 22 staff works with the children. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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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