Wise Owls Nursery School

Inspection of Wise Owls Nursery School 15 Park Crescent Place, Brighton BN2 3HF

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are excited to learn in this homely nursery. The management team and staff know children well. The home visits and the close partnerships with parents contribute to children feeling settled and secure. Babies and toddlers snuggle up to their carers during story sessions. They excitingly clap their hands and bounce up and down when attentive staff sing songs and nursery rhymes. This helps to build strong relationships and supports children's emerging vocabulary. Older toddlers have fun listening to stories about vehicles, such as trains. They eagerly explore the environment, searching for items related to the story.

p.2

The provision is good

Adults are good role models. They acknowledge children's feelings and help them to build on their own identity. Children take pride in their achievements, such as having art work displayed in a local gallery. Staff carefully incorporate children's interests into a wide range of activities. For instance, a curiosity in fairy tales by pre-school children, led to staff using props to help children recall and re-enact a popular story. Adults attentively listen and respond to children with interest. They skilfully support children's language development, for example, by helping them to express their own thoughts and ideas. Some staff use sign language to help children who use this form of communication to express themselves.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team follow secure recruitment, vetting and supervision procedures to help ensure the expertise and suitability of staff. They value the creative skills of several of the staff who are musical or have artistic talents. Children are keen to have a go in activities. For instance, babies smile as they discover that plucking the strings of a guitar makes sounds. Children's art work adorns the nursery and they have had some of these displayed in a local gallery. n Staff are provided with a programme of training courses, such as completing higher qualifications. They have focused on developing the curriculum to more precisely include children's interests and parents' feedback. Staff complete regular observations of children's achievements and use these to check their ongoing progress. They use good teaching strategies. However, they do not always notice opportunities to challenge and extend older or more-able

p.2

need to do better?

children's thoughts. n Children's views are valued. They contribute their own ideas to the planning of activities, such as making 'buildings' from recycled materials. Adults generally incorporate mathematical language during activities. However, at times, they do not consistently implement this with older pre-school children. n Staff take time to learn as much as possible about children before they start. They consistently praise children, helping to promote their confidence and sense of self-esteem. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to treat each other with

p.2

need to do better?

19 September 2019 respect. Older children play well together and demonstrate good social skills, such as giving each other a hug when leaving to go home or on to school. n Children confidently access the stimulating resources set out for them. They enjoy exploring the outdoor space. Younger children learn how to safely use the slide and staff remind them to hold on to the handles when using the steps. Older children learn about how to keep themselves safe during walks to the beach for 'nature club'. Staff help them to care for the environment and they discuss the items that they collect on the beach, such as shells, wood and stones. n The well-qualified staff provide very good support for funded children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They build strong partnerships with parents and external agencies, such as speech and language specialists. Skilled staff use the knowledge gained to implement teaching strategies to help

p.2

need to do better?

children make good progress from their starting points. n Managers embed a reflective culture. The staff work well together to identify continuous improvements that benefit children. For instance, the focus on training undertaken by some staff about children's nutrition, has had a positive impact on children's well-being. Parents say that their children's eating habits have improved since attending the nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The management team ensures that staff are secure in their knowledge of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. Staff attend regular safeguarding training to help ensure that their knowledge is up to date. They are aware about wider aspects of safeguarding, including the safe use of social media. Managers and staff know the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made. The managers recently reviewed their lone-working policy. They completed thorough risk assessments and implemented strategies to help ensure that children are safe. For instance, they monitor staff's movements by using cameras in the sleep room.

p.3

should:

n broaden pre-school children's understanding of mathematical concepts to support their learning experiences further n provide the older and most-able children with an even greater level of challenge during activities, to engage their interest and to further extend their ongoing learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY491000 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10124260 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 31 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Wise Owls Nursery School Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01273 232308 Date of previous inspection 1 August 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Wise Owls Nursery School registered in 2015. The nursery operates from Brighton, East Sussex. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 48 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 20 members of staff. Of these, seven staff hold qualified teacher status, one staff member has early years teacher status, three staff hold a qualification at level 2, five staff are qualified at level 6 and four staff are unqualified. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with one of the managers. She discussed the curriculum with her and staff. n The inspector made observations relating to the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the management team, staff and children at appropriate times. n Parents' views were obtained through discussion and the viewing of documents left with the managers. n A joint observation took place with one of the managers.

p.5

Inspection activities

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6