Apple Tree Nursery

Apple Tree Nursery Priestley CP School, Prince Charles Drive, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 8TG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 October 2017 14 October 2016

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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 complete accurate assessments of children's progress by regularly observing them in their play. They use this information well, alongside their knowledge of children's individual interests, to plan experiences which enable children to make good progress in their learning.  Parents are extremely complimentary about the friendliness of the staff and they are happy with the progress that their children are making. Staff have strong relationships with parents and involve them with their child's learning.  The management team make regular and precise assessments of the quality of teaching, and provide constructive feedback to staff to secure better practice. For example, room leaders observe staff carrying out activities with children, and provide advice and guidance to improve teaching.  Children have close relationships with staff and turn to them for comfort when they are upset. For example, children who start missing their parents in the middle of the day,

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This provision is good

confidently turn to staff for cuddles which settle them.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team do not make enough use of information gathered from tracking children’s progress to help them understand how well groups of children are doing.  On occasion, staff answer their own questions when speaking to children as they do not give children enough time to think and respond.

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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 more effective use of the information gathered about children’s progress in order to identify any gaps in learning for groups of children  allow more time for children to provide a response when staff ask them questions.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spent time observing children at play in all areas of the nursery.  The inspector met with the manager and discussed how the nursery is led and managed.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the nursery’s deputy manager.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including policies, records of the progress children have made, the setting's self-evaluation and improvement plan and evidence of suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke with parents, children and staff to gain their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team ensure staff have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding procedures. They regularly discuss safeguarding issues during monthly staff meetings and carry out regular training. The manager has a good focus on improvement. She makes good use of a wide variety of sources to inform the nursery's accurate self-evaluation. These include feedback from parents, staff and other agencies. The manager invests in the well-being and professional development of staff. This results in a strong and stable staff team who remain at the nursery for a long time to provide children with good continuity of care. For example, children who start the nursery at the age of three months, have the same key person at the age of two years.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff obtain relevant information from parents during settling-in sessions to ensure children's starting points are accurately identified and children settle quickly. For example, children who have only been at the nursery for two weeks are very content and happy because they take part in activities which interest and challenge them from the start. Babies are supported well to develop physically and to learn through exploring. They have strong attachments with staff who provide them with lots of encouragement and support. Staff provide children with a good variety of resources to ensure they are fully occupied throughout the day. All children independently find something to do which interests them, such as listening to a story or playing with sand. Staff join children in their play and effectively facilitate and extend learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave very well. This is because staff are calm and caring in their approach. They speak to children in a friendly and nurturing manner. They provide a lot of praise when children do something good, for example when they share, take turns and are kind to each other. Older children manage their personal care needs well and show good levels of independence using the toilet and changing their own clothes. Children feel confident to move around the different areas of the nursery and join in activities with different groups.

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Outcomes for children are good

Most children reach typical levels of development. Children with additional needs are swiftly identified and staff work with parents and other agencies to meet the children's needs so they progress well. Staff have a good focus on preparing older children for school. For example, group time is separate for older children to support their concentration and their ability to sit and listen for longer. They also learn to interact with other children, follow instructions and to write and recognise their name.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY311880 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 1109736 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 - 4 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person Appletree Early Years Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 October 2016 Telephone number 01249 819082

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reference number

Apple Tree Nursery registered in July 2005. It operates within Calne Children's Centre in the grounds of Priestly School in Calne, Wiltshire. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, all year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 13 members of staff, of whom 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery manager holds qualified teacher status.

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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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