Watership Downs Nursery School

Watership Downs Nursery School Watership downs Nursery School, 19 Downs Road, Maldon, Essex CM9 5HG

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Inspection date 16 November 2018 Previous inspection date 3 April 2014

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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 Staff work together as an effective, enthusiastic and committed team. They respond well to the manager's high expectations and drive to provide children and their families with high-quality provision. n Staff have developed strong and trusting relationships with parents. Daily conversations between staff and parents help to provide a consistent approach to supporting children's care and learning. n Staff make effective use of observation and assessments. They draw on the expertise of outside professionals, which helps them to plan effectively for the learning and development of all children. n Staff are very caring and build strong bonds with all children. Children are happy, settled and enjoy their time at the nursery. They develop confident social skills in readiness for school. n Staff value children's play. They plan interesting and stimulating activities that are rooted in children's interests and build on what they already know.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Staff sometimes do not make the most of opportunities to develop further children's understanding of numbers and counting. n The manager has not explored a wide range of performance management opportunities to help raise the quality of teaching to the very 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

n make best use of opportunities that arise for children to practise their developing counting skills n explore a wider range of performance management opportunities, focusing sharply on raising the quality of teaching to an outstanding level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the safeguarding policy and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. They are clear on the procedures to follow should they have concerns about children in their care. Staff implement effective risk assessments to help minimise risks to children. This helps to ensure their safety and welfare as they play. Recruitment processes are robust to help to assure the suitability of adults working with children. Staff are deployed effectively to supervise children. The staff work well together. The enthusiastic manager encourages staff to share ideas during their regular meetings. The manager analyses children's progress, including that for the different groups of children attending. This helps her to identify any gaps in provision and where children may need additional support.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff respond well to children's choice of activities, moving around to deploy themselves effectively to support children well. Staff place a strong focus on the support of children's communication and language skills. Staff get down to the children's level and join in with their play. Staff interact purposefully. They talk to children and ask them questions as they play, and demonstrate that they value children's responses. Staff introduce new vocabulary in context as they share favourite books with them. They engage children in meaningful conversations and encourage them to share their home experiences. Children are engaged, focused and keen to take part in all activities. These are some of the many ways that staff effectively support children's communication and language skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children appear happy and ready to learn when they arrive at nursery. They demonstrate a secure sense of belonging and emotional well-being. Staff are good role models and support children in learning how to respect and value the differing needs of their friends. Through gentle reminders from staff, children learn to share resources and play cooperatively with their friends. They understand the rules and routines of the nursery and follow them well. Children have opportunities to develop their independence. For example, they serve themselves snack and wash the cups and plates they have used. Staff have developed good relationships with the schools that children move on to. These links support children particularly well when they prepare to leave the nursery and move on to school.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress given their starting points and capabilities. Children communicate confidently and considerately with each other, staff and visitors to the setting. They learn to share and take turns in play. Children are developing early literacy skills and they draw and create pictures. Children have good imaginations as they work together to create a 'robot snowman' using a range of recycled materials. They acquire useful skills that prepare them well for the next stage of their learning and the eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY464320 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10059542 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Watership Downs Nursery School Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 April 2014 Telephone number 0162 185 8478

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reference number

Watership Downs Nursery School registered in 2013. The nursery opens Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 4pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 1pm on Friday. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above.

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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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