Ash Tree Day Nursery

Ash Tree Day Nursery Ash Tree Day Nursery, Dee Point Centre, Blacon Point Road, Blacon, Chester, Cheshire CH1 5NF

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Inspection date 23 May 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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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This provision is good

n Managers are ambitious. They have transformed the nursery into a valuable facility for children and the wider community. Children will soon benefit from the recent completion of a new on-site swimming pool and dance studio. n Staff develop friendly and supportive relationships with children and parents. This contributes to children's emotional security. Children are happy and safe. They enjoy their play and make good progress. n Staff teach children well. They use effective systems to promote and monitor children's learning. The environment is stimulating and children have plenty of indoor and outdoor space to explore. n Staff work well with parents to keep them informed of children's progress. They encourage parents to be involved in children's learning, for example, through parent participation days. n At times, staff do not manage routines and activities effectively. Noise levels become too high and some children find it difficult to listen and concentrate on their learning.

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This provision is good

n Staff in the toddler room do not consistently use opportunities to promote children's growing independence even further.

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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 help staff to manage routines and activities more effectively, so that all children can listen and become more deeply involved in their learning n increase opportunities for toddlers to do tasks for themselves, to further promote their independence and confidence in their own abilities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff and children and completed a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector held discussions with the owner and members of the management team. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Managers train and monitor staff to ensure they have a secure understanding of child protection procedures and wider safeguarding issues. They make good use of the closed-circuit television to help to ensure children are kept safe. Managers oversee children's progress and make purposeful use of any additional funding. They consider children's individual needs and purchase new resources to further support their learning. Managers supply online training to help staff to expand their knowledge and skills. They monitor the quality of teaching, for instance, through supervision meetings and observations of practice. Managers meet regularly with other local providers to discuss the needs of the community. They seek the views of parents, children and staff to help them identify ongoing improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use their qualifications and experience to promote children's learning well. They make regular assessments of children's skills and use this information to clearly identify their next steps in learning. Playrooms are well equipped. All children enjoy a wide variety of learning experiences that support their sensory development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive targeted support to ensure their needs are met. Younger children develop their communication skills, for instance, when they engage in songs and stories. Older children learn to count, measure and work together when they make their own dough. Feedback from parents is very positive. For example, parents of children who speak English as an additional language are very impressed with the level of vocabulary their children learn in a short space of time.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff seek information about children's unique cultural celebrations. This enables them to plan activities to help children to understand and value cultural differences. Staff provide meaningful praise and encouragement to help children to develop their confidence. They teach children about boundaries and help them to learn to follow the rules for good behaviour. One way they do this, is by giving children gentle reminders about how to share and take turns with their friends. Children eat nutritious meals and enjoy plenty of opportunities to run and play outside. Pre-school children are beginning to take part in physical education sessions to help boost their fitness and support key skills in readiness for school.

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Outcomes for children are good

Over time, children make good progress from their individual starting points, including those in receipt of funding. Babies use their senses to explore a range of textured items, such as bubble wrap. They develop their early language skills as they babble freely and copy simple words, such as 'pop'. Toddlers show excitement during outdoor play. They learn to take managed risks when they balance and jump on the crates. Pre-school children engage in conversations and show a growing understanding of the world around them. For example, during discussions at the 'bug house', they tell staff that bees collect pollen from the plants.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545317 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10095033 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 0 - 10 Total number of places 160 Number of children on roll 214 Name of registered person Chestnut House Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01244 383 200

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reference number

Ash Tree Day Nursery was registered in 2017. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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