Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School

Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School Westside, Oxford Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1XB

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Inspection date 30 August 2018 Previous inspection date 5 January 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager successfully analyses data and monitors children's progress well. This enables her to close any gaps in children's learning quickly. n A strength of the staff is the homely and welcoming environment they create. Key persons know their children well and are attentive to children's individual needs. This helps children feel secure and comfortable. n Staff give very good attention to children developing healthy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy eating hearty, nutritious meals and relish playing in the well-resourced and stimulating outdoor area. n All children, including those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points. n Staff work well with other professionals and provide strong support for children who have SEN and/or disabilities, to enable them to fully meet their needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Occasionally, staff do not consistently build on what children need to learn next to help them achieve as much as possible in their learning. n The manager has not fully embedded methods for parents to contribute to the nursery's evaluation of practice so that they can give their ideas for future developments.

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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

n sharpen the planning of activities to support children to consistently build on what they need to learn next and to help them achieve as much as possible in their learning n strengthen the involvement of parents in the self-evaluation process to reflect more precisely on areas to improve.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed teaching practices and the impact they have on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, operations manager, director, staff, children and parents. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and held discussions in relation to children's learning and progress. n The inspector checked how well staff understand how to keep children safe. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation report, staff qualifications, risk assessments and some policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The strong management team has robust systems for the recruitment, vetting and supervision of staff. The team has a good knowledge of how to keep children safe, as do the staff. The management team ensures all staff keep up to date with safeguarding training and understand the nursery's policies and procedures. Safeguarding is effective. Staff receive ongoing encouragement to develop their professional knowledge and skills. Training opportunities are regularly offered, which helps staff to promote the learning and development of children. For example, staff have benefited from recent behavioural management training. The management team regularly evaluates the provision and takes action to address any identified improvements. For example, the team has made changes to the layout of the baby rooms, to enhance babies' physical and social development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are skilled, well qualified and confident in their teaching. They plan enjoyable and engaging activities with children, which successfully cover all areas of learning and take account of children's next steps in learning. Staff offer a varied range of activities. For example, children look forward to the weekly French lessons where they sing, dance and listen to stories. These give them opportunities to practise and extend their communication and language skills. Older children have a good knowledge of how letters link to their sounds and successfully use this to spell out and write their names and other simple words. Children are given a wide range of opportunities to learn about the natural world. For example, they help to care for the nursery's pets, and enjoy the mud kitchen and planting areas.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have established strong relationships with parents and these are supported by the welcoming and friendly environment they have created. Children behave well and develop good hygiene practices and self-care skills. Children are encouraged to be independent according to their age and stage of development. For instance, toddlers learn how to use cutlery as they enjoy home-cooked meals, and older children serve their own lunch and pour their own drinks. Children participate in a wide range of activities that helps them to understand similarities and differences in their lives and other people's.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children have a positive attitude to learning and gain the key skills they require for beginning school. Babies are developing good early communication skills. For example, they enjoy singing activities and eagerly participate in doing the actions for familiar songs. Toddlers show emerging mark-making skills. For example, they use sponges and paintbrushes to make marks in preparation for early writing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 511192 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10066587 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Kingsclere Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 January 2016 Telephone number 01635 550134

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reference number

Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School registered in 1992. It is located in Newbury, Berkshire. It operates between Monday and Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, for 52 weeks of the year, with the exception of bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 12 members of staff employed to work with the children, 11 of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and level 6.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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