The Village Nursery School

Inspection of The Village Nursery School The Sanctuary, Octagon Road, Whiteley Village, Walton On Thames, Surrey KT12 4EE

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and enjoy the time they spend at this nurturing nursery school. Staff work in close partnership with a range of services and professions. This positively ensures that all children receive the support they need to make good progress. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are learning English as an additional language. Staff know the children very well.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff effectively gather vital information about children's prior learning and interests. This helps children to settle quickly, feel safe and be excited about building on their existing skills and learning new ones. A strong focus is given to children's learning outdoors, both in the secure outside area and on regular outings to the woodland for forest school sessions.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of all children. They are skilled in sequencing children's learning opportunities. For example, during a walk in the nearby woodland, staff encouraged children to use their imaginations to build a rocket. Children then excitedly went 'blast off' to the moon. They were encouraged to talk about what they will need to wear and what they think they will find on their adventures. Staff introduced new vocabulary, such as 'gravity' and 'spacesuits'. Children eagerly returned to nursery to look at books about planets and recall what they had learned.

p.2

need to do better?

n The staff team has made significant improvements since the previous inspection. They are a highly reflective team, and work very well together, to provide an effective environment for children to learn and develop. They know the areas they still need to develop and have plans in place to address these to further improve outcomes for children. n The staff regularly observe children and use these observations to follow children's lead and their interests. Staff evaluate the impact of the activities on children's progress. They plan activities to help children move on to their next stage of learning and for moving on to school. The manager regularly monitors the progress children make, to ensure all areas of learning are met. n Staff provide a wealth of exciting learning opportunities indoors and outdoors. Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about the natural environment. During woodland walks they listen intently to the sounds of birds they hear and

p.2

need to do better?

show empathy to the animals and vegetation that live there. n Children make their own independent choice of where they wish to learn and play. They follow a healthy lifestyle and benefit from continual access to the outside learning area. However, when the weather is cold, the temperature

p.2

need to do better?

4 November 2019 within the hall is not sufficiently monitored to allow children to play comfortably. n The manager provides good support for her staff, for instance, through regular supervision and feedback to help them further develop the quality of their practice. Staff attend courses to strengthen their skills. n Partnerships with parents are effective and strong. They speak very highly of the nursery and make comments such as, 'the nursery has a real homely atmosphere'. Parents and staff share information both verbally and electronically. This helps to ensure consistency of care for all children. n In the main, staff work effectively to develop children's language and communication skills. For example, they read stories, sing songs, model precise clear language and use sign language. However, large-group activities such as circle time are not as effective as other group activities. This is because children

p.2

need to do better?

of mixed age ranges and abilities are together. Some older children become distracted and younger children are not as interested. n All staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and conduct. They have embedded rules of the setting and children play and share resources well with one another. Children develop positive attitudes to their learning. This is demonstrated when they show enjoyment when making a 'space' board game to take home to play with their family.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff can clearly identify all signs that would give them cause for concern about a child's safety or welfare. They undertake safeguarding training and receive regular information to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. Staff have a good understanding of the procedures to follow. They know how to refer any concerns to ensure that children are protected from harm or abuse. The manager regularly tests her staff's safeguarding knowledge and understanding through spot checks and quizzes.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of group times to take into consideration the age ranges and individual needs of the children present, so that all benefit from the best teaching and learning opportunities during these activities n identify ways to monitor the temperature in the hall, in particular when some children choose to play outdoors, to ensure that those inside do not become too cold.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY482422 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10109408 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Ingham, Dianne Elizabeth

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01932 825806 Date of previous inspection 8 May 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Village Nursery School was originally registered in 1998, moved premises in 2003 and re-registered in their current premises in 2014. It operates from a church hall located in the grounds of Whiteley village. The setting operates from 8.30am to 3.15pm, from Monday to Friday. The setting is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 11 members of staff who regularly work with the children. Seven members of staff have relevant childcare qualifications, including two who are qualified teachers.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager. She observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector observed the staff and children as they played and held discussions with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents talked to the inspector about their views of the nursery school. n The manager and inspector discussed the leadership and management of the nursery school. n The inspector sampled documentation, including staff suitability checks and children's records.

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

4 November 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