Pathways Day Nursery Balsall Common

Pathways Day Nursery Balsall Common Balsall Common Primary School, Balsall Street East, Balsall Common, Coventry, CV7 7FS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 November 2017 30 April 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Leaders and managers have created a culture in which all staff have an extremely high expectation of themselves and the children. They have a distinct vision of what children need to achieve to meet their potential, regardless of their starting points.  Expert teaching and consistently high levels of challenge contribute to children's seamless learning experiences. Staff are exceedingly resourceful and are able to reshape activities so that every child benefits from rewarding learning opportunities.  Accurate assessments and a thorough understanding of children's needs help staff to plan precisely for further learning. They provide high levels of challenge for children to build on their skills in all areas of learning. Children are eager to learn and make substantial progress in their development.  Managers and staff provide an exceptionally nurturing atmosphere and children settle extremely quickly. A superb child-centred approach to well-being contributes to

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This provision is outstanding

children's sense of belonging and emotional security. They say that they are happy in the nursery and enjoy their play experiences.  Managers and staff use highly successful methods to communicate with parents and other providers of settings children also attend. Excellent systems are in place to ensure children get the support they need to maintain best progress.

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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

 refine the tracking of groups of children to reflect all aspects of their achievements and to further enhance children's already excellent learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at relevant documentation and records required for the efficient running of the nursery.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector carried out joint observations of teaching activities with managers.  The inspector held meetings with a director and managers.  The inspector spoke with the provider, staff and children.  The inspector spoke with a number of parents and read questionnaires completed by other parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Inspirational leadership and shared aspirations underpin the success of the nursery. Leaders and managers empower staff to deliver the highest levels of learning and care. Robust performance management is in place to help staff enhance their skills. They have used innovative methods and facilities, including an outdoors classroom, to introduce a new approach to learning. Children freely move between the outdoors space and the cosy classroom to sit, talk and to access books. As a result, all children's language skills, and in particular, boys' literacy attainments have grown considerably. Leaders and managers recognise the potential within the tracking arrangements to focus more precisely on the achievements of all groups of children. Parents enthuse about the admirable commitment staff have to promote children's well-being and learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have a thorough understanding of safeguarding

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

procedures and are confident to report any concerns.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff use excellent teaching methods to help children learn. They capture the attention of younger children with imaginative reading and expressive intonation to bring stories to life. They repeatedly explain about turning the next page so that children understand that stories continue sequentially. Enthusiastic staff sustain older children's thinking through skilful questioning during outdoor activities. They include high levels of challenge for children to solve problems and to make connections with what they see. Staff integrate naturally occurring situations to extend children's learning. For example, when they talk about feeding stations, staff help children to identify the birds flying overhead. Teaching flows effortlessly and children remain completely engaged throughout activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff place tremendous emphasis on promoting children's personal, social and emotional development. They form exceedingly strong relationships with families and know the children very well. Staff manage transitions superbly for children who move within the nursery and across to the school facilities. Children demonstrate that they are completely at ease in the homely environment and confidently express their opinions. For example, they share their perceptions about the nutritious snacks they enjoy. They learn about the effects of exercise on their bodies and develop physical skills above the expected level of development for their age.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Pathways Day Nursery Balsall Common registered in 2001 and is part of four other settings in the local area. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or 4. The provider holds qualified teacher status and early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30am to 6pm. A before- and after-school club also operates from 7.30am to 9am and 3.20pm to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY364440 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 1093244 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Pathways Nurseries and Childcare Centres Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 April 2015 Telephone number 01676 532 298

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reference number

Pathways Day Nursery Balsall Common registered in 2001. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or 4. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30am to 6pm. A before- and after-school club also operates from 7.30am to 9am and 3.20pm to 6pm. 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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