The Lodge

The Lodge Southcote Childrens Centre, 85 Coronation Square, READING, RG30 3QP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 January 2018 28 July 2014

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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 manager and her team plan a broad range of exciting and enjoyable activities for the children. These meet both the younger and older children's needs.  Staff observe, assess, extend and challenge children's development well, including children who speak English as an additional language.  Teaching is good. Staff are well qualified and enthusiastic. Children are happy and self- assured. They make good progress in readiness for starting school.  Staff supervision and ongoing professional development are effective and have a positive impact on children's learning and development. For instance, staff attended training to improve their knowledge of supporting children's mathematical development.  Staff empower children to make choices and develop their self-control. For instance, children vote for their favourite story and learn to respect each other's views. They show good listening skills and concentration well.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team and staff do not always successfully share information about children's progress with parents.  Children are not always given opportunities to learn that technology has a purpose.

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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

 review and strengthen systems to engage all parents in their children's learning  develop more opportunities for children to explore and use technology for a purpose.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed a wide range of activities in all areas of the setting, and talked with staff and children about what they were doing.  The inspector reviewed documents and procedures relating to safeguarding, staffing, supervision, risk assessment, and health and safety. A sample of other policies were also checked.  The inspector sampled a range of children's records and the setting's systems for planning and evaluation. The inspector also assessed how well staff exchange information with parents and external professionals.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector took part in a joint observation with a member of the management team.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a secure understanding of their roles and reporting procedures to follow in the event of a safeguarding concern. The management team and staff work very well together and create a warm and welcoming nursery environment. The manager and staff carry out regular risk assessments and deploy themselves effectively to support children's good progress in their learning and development. The manager observes her staff regularly and monitors their practice and suitability. She offers effective training to ensure good practice is consistent. Self- evaluation is used very effectively to identify areas of strength and areas that can improve. The manager takes decisive steps to improve any weaknesses. She demonstrates a strong capacity to continually develop staff and further improve the setting.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The staff provide a good balance of child-led and planned play experiences. They consider children's interests which parents share regularly. Staff interact well with children and promote their language and communication skills successfully. For example, they engage children in meaningful conversations as they prepare vegetables to place on a pizza. Staff promote mathematical language as children compare the quantities of the mushrooms and peppers, and talk about the different size of vegetables. Children are well supported to develop their literacy skills. For example, they independently select resources to make marks. Staff praise children for their efforts and listen to children's ideas. They demonstrate a good understanding of children's next steps of learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The manager and staff help children to learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they provide nutritious snacks and talk about how these can help children build strong bones and grow. Children are confident. Staff help them to understand and manage their feelings and emotions. This encourages children to develop good friendships and positive self-esteem. Children feel safe as they splash and stamp in water. Staff are good role models. They skilfully remind children to be mindful that the floor could be slippery. The setting promotes children's well-being and successfully informs parents of illness to prevent the spread of infection. Children behave well and show understanding of routines.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They are physically active and enjoy investigating. Children show very good levels of independence and can dress themselves in waterproof suits and boots. They concentrate for long periods in their self-chosen play and develop important skills to support their next stages of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY411674 Local authority Reading Inspection number 1105128 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Reading Borough Council

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 28 July 2014 Telephone number 0118 9372535

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reference number

The Lodge registered in 2006. It operates from Southcote Children's Centre in Reading. It opens each weekday from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The setting receives funding for children aged two, three and four years. There are 13 members of staff who work with the children, including the manager who holds a relevant level 6 qualification. The remaining 12 members of staff have early years qualifications at level 3.

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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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