The Lime Tree Children's Day Nursery

Inspection of The Lime Tree Children's Day Nursery Anstey Park House, Anstey Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2RL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children make excellent progress at this extremely nurturing setting. The staff have implemented a highly effective curriculum. This ensures children have access to exceptionally rich and stimulating activities which efficiently support their rapid development. For instance, older children delight in taking part in a morning exercise session to prepare them physically and mentally for their day.

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The provision is outstanding

The children have exemplary behaviour and are very knowledgeable about the routines at the nursery. For example, children use Makaton and speech to confidently explain why they use their listening ears. They skilfully learn about behaviour expectations from staff and each other. During play, children competently vocalise their feelings. For instance, they learn to tell their friends, 'please stop, I don't like it' when being chased. They are extremely respectful towards each other and resolve conflict exceedingly well. Babies excite in playing together, and take turns sharing resources, as the staff are wonderful role models.

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders and staff have very high expectations for their children, which are clearly evident in children's overflowing confidence and independence. For example, older children are exceptionally excited to introduce themselves, and demonstrate how they tidy up and where resources belong. Children feel incredibly safe and secure. They frequently embrace and cuddle staff, sharing special moments together.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is outstanding across the whole nursery. Staff are highly skilled teachers and use many wonderful opportunities to promote language development. They demonstrate new vocabulary such as 'massive' and 'enormous' during mathematics, which helps children to be descriptive with their language. Children are highly engaged and listen intently at story time. They giggle and laugh as the staff use enthusiastic voices and animated expressions. Children make imaginative predictions about what will happen next, analysing the pictures and reciting familiar phrases excitedly. n The curriculum is expertly aimed to make sure children have an incredibly wide range of exciting opportunities that skilfully prepare them for their future success. For example, children go on wondrous adventures to learn about the local community through regular visits to the library, supermarket, train station and farm. Children learn impressive new skills during forest school sessions,

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need to do better?

including how to use tools safely and how to cook food on open fires. The well- resourced outdoor area provides the children with various opportunities for exploration, risk taking and challenge. n Staff are highly attentive to the needs of the children. They modify and change their teaching to best suit their children. For instance, staff recognise some

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need to do better?

7 October 2019 children need further support with their fine-motor skills and set up a variety of 'finger gym' activities. Staff are also incredibly effective at implementing targeted support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This ensures those children achieve the best possible outcomes and progress rapidly. n Children form excellent relationships with their friends. They have an infectious energy and excitement to learn and play. Children demonstrate wonderful creativity and have vivid imaginations. For example, children use their 'bow and arrows' made from sticks, and balance across the 'drawbridge' of wooden beams. n Children have strong and meaningful attachments with the staff at the nursery, as the key-person system is extremely effective. Babies are given cuddles and have memorable one-to-one moments with staff while having their bottles. Staff sing attentively to them during care routines and give wonderful eye contact,

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need to do better?

supporting their flourishing development. n The leadership team is incredibly passionate about providing children with an outstanding early years experience. They have a prime focus on their staff's well-being and provide them with fantastic mentoring and support. This is reflected in the joy and commitment staff have to their roles. Staff encourage and skilfully support each other throughout the day. n Leaders are continually striving to improve, and use highly effective evaluation processes to ensure they maintain their exceptional standards. The provider has incisive meetings with her team to swiftly identify training and develop their teaching skills even further. This helps support excellent outcomes for children in their care. For example, staff have recently learned Makaton to further enhance children's communication skills, particularly those who need additional support with their speech and language.

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need to do better?

n Parents are incredibly pleased with the nursery and the superb service provided by the staff and leaders. Partnerships with parents are central to the nursery's ethos and the staff work impressively hard to build strong relationships with them. For example, recently the provider organised a very successful meal locally to support the community feel of the nursery and allow parents to meet each other. Parents liken the nursery to a family and are delighted with their extremely supportive care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team is highly vigilant when promoting safeguarding within the nursery. There are strict policies and procedures in place, which all staff uphold. Managers have robust recruitment procedures to ensure the excellent suitability of all staff, which is reviewed regularly. All staff complete a rigorous induction process that requires them to undertake thorough face-to-face and online training. This results in the staff demonstrating superb confidence in recognising the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and how to report any concerns.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543007 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10123434 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 to 4 Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Lime Tree Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01420 370625 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Lime Tree Children's Day Nursery registered in 2017 and is located in Alton, Hampshire. It is open all year round, from 8am until 6pm. The provider employs 14 members of staff, of whom 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n A learning walk was conducted across all areas of the nursery, to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n The provider and inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Discussions were held with staff, children and parents at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector sampled some of the nursery's documents. This included evidence about staff training and supervisions. n The experiences of three children at the nursery were tracked by the inspector. n A meeting was held between the inspector, provider and manager.

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Inspection activities

7 October 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

7 October 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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