Oak Cottage Nursery

Inspection of Oak Cottage Nursery Oak Cottage, Warren Road, BRIGHTON BN2 6DA

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy, settled and confident. They make good progress from their starting points. Children enjoy exploring the attractive and stimulating play areas. For example, children delight as they hunt for bugs under the foliage in the garden and tip and pour soil in the mud kitchen as they develop the concept of capacity. Children are curious learners. For instance, children open and close fresh peppers, noticing the seeds that help them to grow. Children develop positive attitudes towards learning and a willingness to give things a go. For example, children persevere and keep trying as they work out how to remove a toy car that had become stuck in a hole. Staff consistently use positive praise and encouragement. Children are proud of doing well. Staff in the baby room are sensitive and kind. Babies show they feel safe and secure, which develops their confidence. For example, babies independently choose to explore the natural sensory tray. Babies

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The provision is good

who have recently started at the nursery respond very well to the cuddles and smiles offered by staff, for example, supporting children to settle quickly. Staff are positive role models and children behave well and think of others. Children develop good social skills as they play cooperatively. For example, children freely pass whisks to each other as they explore the effects their movements have on creating bubbles in the water. The manager organises educational visits from important people in the local community, such as police officers, the dentist and fire officers.

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need to do better?

n The visionary manager is keen and motivated to make positive changes. She values the feedback from staff, parents and children and swiftly acts on suggestions. For instance, recent changes to the nursery's opening times, food choices and how staff feedback to parents on children's progress directly came from parent questionnaires. n The manager meets regularly with her staff to help them reflect on their practice. She provides opportunities to attend regular training. For example, training in supporting children's sensory and physical needs has supported staff's knowledge and skills in this area. This enables them to provide effective support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Overall teaching is good. Staff plan enjoyable and creative activities that support children's interests. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy trying the new textures of barbequed fruit and vegetables. However, staff do not consistently

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need to do better?

build on what children already know and can do to help them to make even more progress in their learning. n Staff interact with children as they play. They role model language and ask relevant questions. However, staff do not consistently use skilful questions to encourage children to think for themselves, share their thoughts and develop their own ideas to the highest level.

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need to do better?

19 September 2019 n Parents speak highly of the nursery, commenting on 'the ever-changing activities' and 'wonderful environment'. Parents form close working relationships with their children's key person and feel well informed. The manager and staff use a number of effective systems to communicate with parents. For instance, they use a text and email service to keep parents informed of what is happening at the nursery. n Staff encourage children to be independent and develop self-care skills at mealtimes. For example, children peel the skin from their own oranges, pour their own milk and open their own packets. n Children are supported to develop the skills and attitudes needed for future learning. For example, the youngest children begin to count as they play and the oldest children focus intently as they learn how to safely use scissors. n The manager and staff collaboratively identify where funding can be best used

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need to do better?

to support children's individual needs. They used the early years pupil premium funding to offer more opportunities for children to develop their writing skills, for example, to further enhance their literacy skills. n The manager plans for children to have good opportunities to extend their social skills. For example, she organises trips to the local care home where children enjoy singing songs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manger places a strong emphasis on safeguarding in the setting. She keeps up to date with revised government publications, particularly in relation to the wider safeguarding agenda. The manager regularly reviews staff's knowledge of safeguarding. The manager and the staff are aware of the signs that a child may be at risk of harm and know the local procedures to follow should they have a concern. Staff implement the nursery's policies, procedures and risk assessments to help ensure children's health, safety and well-being.

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should:

n enhance the support for staff to strengthen their practice to enable them to offer further challenge and extend children's critical thinking skills to the highest level n strengthen staff's good teaching skills to help them identify and build on what children already know and can do, to support children to make the most progress in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385269 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10090676 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 112 Name of registered person Oak Cottage Nursery

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reference number

Telephone number 01273 680541 Date of previous inspection 24 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Oak Cottage Nursery registered in 2008 and is located in Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery operates 50 weeks a year, and is open each weekday from 8am to 5.30pm. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 5, and 15 hold level 3. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff and parents. n Relevant documentation, staff's qualifications and policies were reviewed by the inspector. n The inspector observed a range of activities and completed a joint observation with the manager. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised.

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Inspection activities

19 September 2019 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

19 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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