Plume Avenue Nursery

Plume Avenue Nursery United Reformed Church, Plume Avenue, COLCHESTER, CO3 4PQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 June 2018 5 October 2017

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Since the last inspection, the management team and staff have worked hard to develop their skills and raise the quality of provision. Staff accurately assess children's development and use this information to plan an appropriate range of interesting and challenging activities.  Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They readily turn to staff for help or reassurance and interact confidently with visitors to the nursery.  Children make good progress from their individual starting points. They are enthusiastic and enjoy the wide range of activities that are available. Children are motivated learners and quickly become engrossed in whatever they choose to do.  Self-evaluation is effective. Staff use action plans to prioritise improvements. The management team demonstrate a drive for continuous improvement and a commitment to providing high-quality care and learning for all children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally information sharing is not sufficient to fully support children's changing emotional needs when their key person is absent.  The arrangements for the supervision and support of staff are not fully embedded, to clearly identify how individual staff members can raise the quality of their practice to the highest level.

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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

 enhance the effective key-person system already in place by improving information sharing in order to further meet the needs of all children, when their key person is absent  strengthen professional development opportunities to help raise the quality of staff practice to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and 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.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team and staff have worked hard to address the actions raised at the previous inspection. This has resulted in improvements across the nursery. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a secure understanding about their role and responsibility to protect children. They understand the importance of responding quickly to any concerns that they may have about children's welfare and they know the procedures to follow. Managers and staff check the progress of all children effectively. When identifying gaps in children's learning, they provide extra support to help them catch up. Management and staff seek the views of parents, children and others when evaluating their practice. Parents speak positively about the nursery and describe the staff as 'warm' and praise the communications they receive.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children are engaged in their play and enjoy exploring the environment. Staff regularly observe children and make accurate assessments. They use this information well to plan activities based around children's individual interests and the next steps in their learning. Staff get down to the children's level and join in their play experiences. They talk to children and ask questions. This is one of the many ways that they support children's communication skills. Children's understanding of technology is promoted. For example, a group of children enjoy working together when playing with a programmable toy. Staff use this opportunity to support children's understanding of directional words, such as 'forwards' and 'backwards.'

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle quickly in this warm and caring environment. They form secure attachments with friendly staff. Staff give lots of praise to children during activities, supporting their good self-esteem. Staff help children to learn about healthy lifestyles. For instance, children know exercise is good for them. Staff encourage children to feel their heart beating after they have run around and talk about why this is happening. Children enjoy making their own elderflower cordial which they serve themselves at snack time. Good hygiene practices are followed and children understand routines, such as washing hands before eating. Children enjoy outdoor play and fresh air. They have opportunities to develop their physical skills when riding scooters and learning to walk on stilts. Staff support their understanding of risk well. For example, they provide gentle safety reminders and are on hand to provide support and reassurance.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children benefit from a wealth of opportunities that support their all-round development. All children make good progress from their starting points. They develop key skills that will help them continue to learn at school. For example, they are able to sit and concentrate on the activities they do, develop good independence skills and are confident in expressing their needs and thoughts. Children are curious and enthusiastic learners who show a lively interest in new experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 404856 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1115855 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 60 Number of children on roll 98 Name of registered person Jean Patricia Catley

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 October 2017 Telephone number 01206 579 458

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reference number

Plume Avenue Nursery registered in 1971. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff, 22 of whom hold an appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3.30pm, during school term time, except for Mondays when the nursery closes at 1pm. 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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