Ash Grove Farm Nursery

Ash Grove Farm Nursery Wrexham Road, CHESTER, CH4 7QR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 October 2017 Not applicable

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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

 Staff build positive relationships with children and are on hand to comfort and support them as they settle-in to a new room. Children who are preparing to move on to school are well supported.  Leaders have a good understanding of the quality of the nursery and how it can be improved. Staff, parents and children are consulted and involved in identifying development points and plans.  Staff plan an interesting range of learning opportunities for children. They make good use of what they know about each child's interests and skills to provide challenging and enjoyable learning experiences.  Children help to conduct risk assessments, with staff support. Older children demonstrate a good understanding of how to play safely in the outdoor area. For example, they put red triangles by areas they should not go without adults.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Manager procedures to observe the impact of staff's practice do not focus sharply enough on enhancing their teaching skills.  Staff do not always manage routines effectively to promote children's engagement.

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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

 extend the arrangements for observing and enhancing the quality of staff's practice and teaching skills  revise how routines are conducted to maximise the opportunities for children's engagement.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas of the premises used for childcare purposes.  The inspector viewed activities in the indoor and outdoor area. She assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke with parents and reviewed their written feedback.  The inspector reviewed and discussed relevant documentation including risk assessments, policies, evidence of staff's paediatric first-aid qualifications and suitability.  The inspector jointly evaluated practice with the provider.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues. They understand how to manage and report concerns to ensure that children are protected from harm. Leaders and staff review and develop risk assessments to ensure that hazards are minimised or removed. Children are encouraged to assess and manage risks, alongside adults. The provider is driven to improve the overall quality of the nursery and has ambitious plans for its future development. Staff are well qualified. They engage in a range of training and professional development to refresh their existing skills. Parents provide positive feedback about the quality of the nursery and its staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are well supported in their overall development. Staff use what they know from observation and assessment to provide interesting activities. For example, older children discuss the changing seasons and woodland animals. They engage in creative activities outdoors to create sculptures of their favourite animals with malleable materials. Younger children develop good listening and attention skills. Staff model language well and encourage children to move their bodies in different ways to the music. Babies benefit from close interactions with staff, who support their curiosity and exploratory impulses. Staff provide different groups of objects for babies to explore independently, such as a large collection of pots, pans and spoons.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff get to know children well. Each child's routine and needs are known and understood by staff. Children benefit from fresh, nutritionally balanced meals which are prepared on site. Their individual dietary requirements are well catered for. Staff encourage children to follow hygiene routines and where possible, these are completed independently. Staff have carefully considered the layout of each room and the outdoor area. They create inviting spaces with high-quality resources that children can access independently. Children choose where they would like to play. Staff use information about children's home languages and cultures to successfully support and extend children's understanding of the wider world.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children progress well from their starting points. Staff working with older children prepare them well for the move to school. Children begin to recognise letters and numbers. They link these to sounds as they develop early literacy skills. Staff also make good use of opportunities to support children's understanding of mathematics. They discuss, for example, how many legs a spider has while children explore the garden area. Children are polite and are developing appropriate social skills. They begin to understand turn taking and follow instructions from adults.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541303 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1114989 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 - 10 Total number of places 86 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Ash Grove Farm Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01244 680707

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reference number

Ash Grove Farm Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The provider has early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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