Castle Nursery and Preschool

Castle Nursery and Preschool Old School Close, Off Markenfield Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4QJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 June 2018 4 November 2015

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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

 Children are happy and settle quickly into their rooms. Staff have a good knowledge of their interests and individual routines. They provide a nurturing environment and activities which inspire children to explore. Children make good progress.  All staff have good relationships with parents. They involve parents successfully in their children's learning and value their feedback. For example, children's online journals are shared, and parents inform staff of learning that has taken place at home.  Observation and assessment of children's learning are effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of the children's individual stages of development and plan specific next steps in learning to help them develop.  The manager and staff have good relationships with other settings and professionals who also care for children. They share information about children's learning and provide a consistent approach to their ongoing development.

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This provision is good

 Children are provided with a good range of freshly prepared and healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. This contributes towards their healthy lifestyles.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, when adult-led activities have finished, staff do not organise transition times effectively and some children become disengaged in their learning.  The outdoor area is not planned for in as much detail as indoors. Although children are happy, they could be challenged further, and their play extended.

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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 the deployment of staff during transition times, to ensure children remain engaged in their learning and do not have to wait for long periods between activities  enhance the opportunities to support the learning and enjoyment of those children who prefer to learn in the outdoor environment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the interactions between staff and children in the indoor and outdoor environments.  The inspector spoke to managers, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took part in a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector tracked some children's progress and viewed a range of written documentation.  The inspector spoke to some parents to gain their feedback on the setting and staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of their responsibility to protect children from harm. They know how to raise any concerns they may have about children's well-being. Staff receive regular training to ensure their knowledge is in line with current legislation. Managers check staff's knowledge of the setting's procedures during staff meetings. Recruitment procedures are thorough and ensure the suitability of staff. Regular supervisory sessions enable managers to discuss the practice of staff and identify any possible training needs. Self-evaluation is effective and includes the views of parents. For example, parents wanted to see more fresh fruit on the menu at teatimes. This was introduced immediately. The manager monitors the provision well and spends time in the rooms observing staff's practice. She collates information about children's progress to assess different groups of children and ensure that staff are

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work closely with all parents, but especially those whose children speak English as an additional language. They find out about how best to support their communication and language skills and work together to support their progress. Staff use lots of questions, repetition and narration for younger children. This enables them to hear keywords and extends their range of vocabulary. Older children are encouraged to think, test out their ideas and use their imaginations. For example, staff asked them 'how do you think that could work?'. Children of all ages enjoy being creative and making marks. For instance, younger children confidently held chunky chalks, as staff modelled how to make lines and circles. Older children practised their smaller physical skills by painting and twisting wool around sticks.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and have a good understanding of what staff expect. They are learning to share and play cooperatively together. Staff praise children constantly and shower them with enthusiasm when they achieve a desired goal and follow instructions. Children are learning to care for the environment and take responsibility for their belongings. For example, they helped to water plants and explained, 'because it is hot.' Children have lots of opportunities to gain fresh air and exercise. Younger children enjoyed climbing on the 'wobbly bridge' and older children kicked balls and learned to balance on bicycles.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress in preparation for future learning and school. They are confident communicators and keen to explore. Younger children enjoy listening to stories and use the pictures successfully to help them understand. Older children demonstrate independence with their personal care and some appropriate life skills; for example, using cutlery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305509 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 1129278 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 72 Number of children on roll 163 Name of registered person Castle Daycare and Preschool Ltd.

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 November 2015 Telephone number 01483 458 877

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reference number

Castle Nursery and Preschool registered in 2005 and is situated in Guildford, Surrey. The setting operates Monday to Friday from 7.45am until 6.15pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 25 staff employed to work with the children, of whom, 18 hold appropriate qualifications. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early years education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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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