Hickory House Nursery

Hickory House Nursery Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 January 2018 4 July 2014

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

p.1

This provision is good

 The management team and staff are motivated and enthusiastic. They have a strong vision of where they want the nursery to be. They actively seek the views of parents, staff and children to help develop the nursery further. Parents speak highly of the nursery, especially the caring staff.  Children thoroughly enjoy attending the highly welcoming nursery. The well-considered organisation of the playrooms and wide range of activities ensure that children are motivated and very eager to join in.  Children have exceptional opportunities to learn about caring for their health. For example, they learn about the importance of exercise and the effect it has on their bodies. They enjoy outdoor play in all weathers.  The management team works closely with staff to identify children who might need extra support and take prompt action. For example, small-group sessions focusing on communication and language have made a significant improvement to children's

p.1

This provision is good

development.  Staff promote inclusion and diversity extremely well. For example, they help children to see and talk about what is unique and beautiful about themselves and their friends.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to extend children's mathematical knowledge.  Staff do not always support parents to the highest level to encourage their child's continued learning at home.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend and challenge children's understanding and use of mathematics as they play and explore  build on the already strong partnerships with parents and provide further opportunities for them to support children's learning at home.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and staff interactions with children in all rooms and the outdoor learning environment.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation relating to safeguarding, staff suitability and the self-evaluation of the nursery.  The inspector held a meeting with the management team.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The management team and staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to refer any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff are alert and vigilant to wider safeguarding issues. The management team reviews the detailed risk assessments regularly to identify and minimise risks to keep children safe. The team supports staff well through regular one-to- one meetings and identifies their training and support needs. For instance, recent training has helped staff to ensure children are ready for their transition to school. The management team performs thorough background checks on staff to help ensure they are suitable for their roles.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children benefit from the care of the dedicated and passionate staff who have a good knowledge of how children learn. Staff complete detailed observations and assessments to help them track children's progress well and they plan a wide range of activities for children based around their interests. Staff support children's physical development effectively. For example, children learn to balance, climb and jump and to take manageable risks in their play. Staff encourage children's imaginations effectively and children actively engage in role play. For instance, younger children care for dolls and pretend to change their nappies and older children pretend to be doctors.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff have excellent relationships with children, who they know extremely well and value highly as individuals. The management team implements the key-person system exceptionally well. For instance, in the absence of a child's key-person there is another named staff member to ensure that care and learning continue to be tailored to each child's needs. Children are extremely motivated to learn and highly confident. Staff provide superb opportunities for children to do things for themselves. For instance, even the youngest children serve their food at mealtimes and have a go at dressing themselves. Behaviour is excellent across the nursery, as all staff are positive role models. Their calm approach ensures that children feel highly valued.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points. Younger children's language is developing well, including those who speak English as an additional language. Older children can confidently write their names and are beginning to recognise letter sounds. Children of all ages confidently express and develop their own ideas, for instance, through drawing and painting. All children have very secure attachments to their key person and confidently explore the environment around them. They develop the key skills needed to be ready for the next stage in their development and their eventual move on to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY305830 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 1070671 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 - 5 Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 July 2014 Telephone number 01980 612634

p.4

reference number

Hickory House Nursery registered in 2001. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 staff members hold appropriate qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 4. One member of staff has early years professional status and one member of staff has qualified teacher status. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education to children aged three and four years. The nursery opens five days a week all year round apart from bank holidays. Sessions are from 8.15am to 5.30pm.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5