The Dovecote

The Dovecote The Dovecote, High Street, Northampton, NN7 4AG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 January 2018 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

 The management team is enthusiastic and dedicated. They demonstrate determination to drive forward continuous improvements. The staff team is highly qualified. They attend regular training and put into practice what they learn. This is reflected in the good progress children make.  Staff promote children's language and communication skills well. They engage children in meaningful conversations, introducing them to descriptive words to extend their vocabulary.  Children learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy talking with the staff and their friends at mealtimes about the healthy foods they are eating.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff warmly greet parents when they arrive and children settle quickly. Staff provide parents with regular updates about their children's progress. Staff provide ideas for parents so they can continue their children's learning at home.

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This provision is good

 The management team closely monitors children's progress. For example, they evaluate the progress made by different groups of children and use this information effectively to improve outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, staff are over enthusiastic with their questioning and do not give older children enough time to gather their thoughts and respond during group activities.  Occasionally, children's next steps in learning are not identified precisely enough to help them make the best possible 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

 allow children more time to share their thoughts and give answers to questions posed  focus more precisely on identifying children's individual next steps in learning to help them make the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager and spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views from documents provided for the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good understanding of the procedures they should follow if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Robust recruitment and induction procedures ensure the suitability of staff to work with children. Staff reflect on their practice during regular supervision and team meetings. The management team has established effective partnerships with other professionals. The moves to school and other settings are well supported. For example, staff share information with them to help ensure the continuity of children's care and learning. Managers value the advice they receive from their local authority adviser. For example, they have introduced parent questionnaires to help them gain more detailed feedback about the service they provide.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching across the nursery is good. Children are highly motivated, keen and active learners. Staff plan a wide range of imaginative activities that challenges and captures children's interests. For example, staff use a teddy bear, called Travelling Ted, to help them teach children about the different places in the world that the children visit on holiday. Children show a genuine interest in books and reading. They eagerly retell familiar stories, with the help of props and encouragement from the staff. Children confidently count and use numbers in their play. For example, they pretend to telephone home, saying the numbers out loud as they dial them. Children explore a range of sensory and creative play. Older children demonstrate good hand-to-eye coordination as they use scissors safely to carefully cut around their artwork.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff take time to get to know the children and their families extremely well. Children establish secure attachments to the staff and form close friendships with each other. Children benefit from plenty of opportunities to be active and develop their physical skills. For example, they enjoy exploring the exciting outdoor areas and learning about caring for the different animals that live at the nursery. Children behave well. Staff act as good role models and promote children's positive behaviour. Children use good manners and are respectful towards each other, staff and visitors. Children learn about the different people that live and work in their community. For example, they enjoy meeting with local police officers who visit the nursery and benefit from talking to them about what they do.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and are well prepared for when they start school. Babies are inquisitive and confidently explore their environment. Younger children are quickly becoming independent learners. They enjoy making marks using a range of resources and recognise a number of shapes. Older children are beginning to develop their early literacy skills. They routinely sound out the letters that make up their names as they practise writing their names on their creative work. Older children manage their own self-care needs well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495175 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1031889 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 48 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person The Nannery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01604 722226

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reference number

The Dovecote registered in 2015. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3, and 6. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am 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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