RSC Nursery

Inspection of RSC Nursery 24 Cottage Lane, Shottery, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, Warwickshire CV37 9HH

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children and babies thrive in the very stimulating and motivating learning environment indoors and outdoors. They are engaged in meaningful play and learning throughout the day. The highly skilled staff team know the children exceptionally well and are attentive to both their care and learning needs. Their superb knowledge of what the children already know and can do, and understanding of their individual personalities, enables them to support and extend children's learning very effectively. For example, pre-school children use resources to create art work in their own way. They make paperchains, rainbows and fireworks as they think creatively and consider how to join the pieces together. Children and babies are very happy and motivated to learn. Children demonstrate pride in their own achievements and delight in the opportunity to take managed risks within the challenging learning environment. For example, two-year-olds

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The provision is outstanding

persevere to transport large wooden planks and blocks to build a bridge. They demonstrate very strong relationships with one another and with the nursery staff. The flexible daily routine provides many opportunities for children to choose how to spend their time. It also incorporates group learning activities appropriate to the children's ages. Pre-school children demonstrate their motivation to learn as they take part in group games and consider what might happen next in stories that are read to them. Children's behaviour is exceptional. When staff do need to intervene in children's play or interactions they calmly talk to them and support them to identify their own solutions.

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need to do better?

n The Head of Nursery works extremely closely with her staff team to provide a consistent and coherent approach to learning. Ongoing training ensures the nursery remains up to date and is very well equipped to support the individual needs of all children. n All aspects of the nursery provision are carefully considered. Planning is informed by children's individual interests and developmental needs. This ensures all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language, are well supported to make rapid progress in their learning and development. n Children are very well prepared for the next stage in their education. Transitions into nursery, between rooms, and on to school are carefully managed for each child and their family. There are many opportunities for the children to develop their independence and self-confidence. For example, babies and toddlers are

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need to do better?

taught and supported to manage the steps between two rooms, enabling them to choose where they spend their time. Two-year-olds begin to serve their own breakfast and pour their own drinks. n Learning environments are thoughtfully planned to ensure they fully support

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need to do better?

28 November 2019 children to access all areas of learning. An exceptional range of resources are available to the children throughout the day. For example, babies investigate the sound of musical instruments, look at books, explore sand and investigate a selection of plastic lids and jars. Older children have opportunities to paint, make playdough, observe plants growing in the green house, and use torches to explore the garden as it begins to get dark. n Children, babies and staff come together daily for a family-style lunch. Staff visibly enjoy sitting with children, engaging them in conversation and supporting them to eat independently. At first they use their hands and a spoon, and then real knives, forks and glasses are introduced. The extremely appetising, healthy menu includes fresh fruit and vegetables daily, and introduces children to a broad range of foods. n Staff's individual skills are used well to enhance the curriculum further. They

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need to do better?

expertly lead children during science, creative, cooking and forest school activities. For example, children explore and use materials found in the garden to build small structures. They are skilfully encouraged to work out for themselves how to use wool to attach the leaf they want to use as a roof onto their fairy house. n Parents are supported to have a very strong understanding of how children learn. They speak extremely highly of the individual support and care provided to both their children and themselves by the skilled staff team. They value the broad range of learning opportunities their children receive, and comment on how well staff know their children as individuals and tailor their approach to each child. Parents describe how difficult it is for them to put into words how wonderful the RSC nursery is.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the processes to follow if they are concerned about a child or about the behaviour of a member of staff. They know it is their responsibility to notice the signs and symptoms of abuse and to keep children safe. Statutory training for paediatric first aid and child protection is consistently kept up to date. Regular staff meetings include time to discuss any concerns, safeguarding updates, and additional training. Parents are informed about the nursery's safeguarding policy and procedures from the beginning of their relationship with the nursery. They are also supported to know how to keep their children safe online.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY391994 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10116310 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 5 Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person RSC Enterprise Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01789 414583 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2014

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Information about this early years setting

RSC Nursery opened in 1963 and re-registered in 2007, it is in Shottery, near Stratford-Upon-Avon. It is run by RSC Enterprise Ltd and is a department within the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year, closing for bank holidays and for two weeks at Christmas. The nursery employs 13 permanent, and six bank, childcare staff. Of these, 12 members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one at level 2. One member of staff has early years professional status, one has a degree in pre-school education, and one has a forest schools qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The Head of Nursery and inspector walked around the nursery together, observing and discussing the approach to teaching and learning and the curriculum offered to children. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development. n Throughout the inspection the inspector found opportunities to speak to staff, parents, and children, and took account of their views. n The inspector held a leadership and management meeting with the Head of Nursery. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of all staff working in the nursery.

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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.

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Inspection activities

28 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.

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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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