Alphabet Nursery

Alphabet Nursery High Street, Caister on Sea, GREAT YARMOUTH, Norfolk NR30 5EH

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Inspection date 12 February 2019 Previous inspection date 16 July 2015

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3

Effectiveness of leadership and management Requires improvement

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3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This is a provision that requires improvement

n The provider has not provided Ofsted with the required information so that suitability checks can be completed for all members of the management committee. n Staff do not use information gained from observations to assess children's progress accurately enough and plan activities that target what they need to learn next. n Staff do not gain precise information about each child's learning needs when they first start, to help them plan effectively from the outset. n The leadership team does not use self-evaluation well enough to review the quality of practice and identify weaknesses in the nursery that need to be addressed quickly.

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It has the following strengths

n Staff are warm and caring towards the children in their care. They praise children meaningfully throughout the day for their achievements. Staff help children learn about the rules and how to behave. This helps children to develop strong emotional attachments and to build new friendships over time. n Children enjoy attending the welcoming and stimulating nursery. They move around confidently, engaging in activities of their choice. Group times are successful in capturing children's interest and helping their learning about specific topics, such as road safety, healthy eating or dental hygiene. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. They report that they are well informed. They know who their child's key person is and feel able to speak to them about any concerns in their children's development and value the support the staff give them.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date provide Ofsted with the required information so that checks can be completed to confirm the suitability of all members of the management committee 12/03/2019

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

ensure staff use information gained from observations to accurately assess children's levels of achievement so that children are consistently challenged and make good progress in their learning. 12/03/2019

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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 gather more detailed information about what children know and can already do when they join the nursery, to plan precisely for their learning from the start n improve the self-evaluation process, to help identify and address weaknesses in the provision, that raise the quality of practice to a good 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 outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

The provider has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to the committee to ensure necessary suitability checks are completed on all members. However, this does not have an impact on children's welfare as no committee member works directly with, or has unsupervised access to, children. Robust checks are carried out on staff to assess their suitability to work with children, overall. Safeguarding is effective. Staff know the possible signs that a child might be at risk of harm. They understand the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare or a member of staff's practice. Staff complete risk assessments and daily checks to help ensure the premises are safe and secure. Staff are well qualified and seek training to update their knowledge and skills. Daily meetings enable staff to discuss practice and new ideas. The manager consults with parents to gather their views of the provision. However, self-evaluation processes do

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

not focus closely enough on identifying all possible weaknesses in the nursery, so these can be swiftly addressed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff do not use what they know about children's development to plan precisely for the next steps in each child's learning. This means they do not shape learning experiences that help children make the best possible progress. However, staff provide a variety of activities that keep children busy and engaged. Some aspects of teaching are strong. Staff are skilful in telling stories, using a variety of interesting props that capture children's interest well. Children extend this in their role play both indoors and outside, happily inviting friends to act out favourite stories with them. Children respond positively to the genuine praise that staff provide. This helps them to concentrate and complete their chosen task. Staff suitably model language and ask questions, to encourage children to share their ideas. They support children to count as part of the daily routine and while they take part in activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Weaknesses in teaching mean that children are not consistently challenged in their learning. Despite this, children develop their physical strength and coordination as they run, jump, climb and balance on equipment in the garden. Children confidently identify the healthy foods in their lunchboxes and enjoy the reward of seeing their name displayed on the 'healthy eating board'. Children interact well with each other and the staff as they play and explore. They learn about personal safety, boundaries and managing risk. For example, they know how to safely use the rope swing and check their friends are not too close before they have a turn.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children do not consistently make the progress they are capable of in their learning and development. Nevertheless, they are gaining some of the basic skills to prepare them for school. For example, children become more independent as they serve snacks, pour drinks and clear away after themselves. They have good opportunities to develop their early writing skills. Some children are keen to write the letters in their name and form recognisable numbers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253994 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10064949 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Alphabet Nursery Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 July 2015 Telephone number 01493 721423

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reference number

Alphabet Nursery registered in 1996 and is run by a committee. The nursery opens Tuesday to Friday from 8am until 4pm during term time only. There are two members of staff, who both hold a relevant qualification at level 3 or above. 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.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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