University of West Cambridge Day Nursery

Inspection of University of West Cambridge Day Nursery 8 Charles Babbage Road, CAMBRIDGE CB3 0FZ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this extremely welcoming and nurturing nursery. Parents and children are very warmly welcomed by the attentive staff and children separate from their adults with ease. Staff have very high expectations for all children and ensure that they benefit from a safe, highly exciting and inspiring environment. Children have access to an extensive range of high-quality natural and real-life resources that link to their interests and individual stages of development. For example, children are taught to use real hammers to break open toy dinosaur eggs and predict what might be inside. Babies form close bonds with calm and attentive staff. They enjoy the frequent cuddles and comfort, which helps them to feel safe and to explore the activities with confidence. Older children are extremely well supported and make rapid progress in readiness for their subsequent move to school. All children are highly motivated and eager to learn. Children demonstrate

p.2

The provision is outstanding

exceptional behaviour and social skills. They play together for long periods of time, taking turns and sharing resources. They listen attentively to staff and consistently show respect and help other children. As a result, there is a happy and harmonious atmosphere throughout the nursery.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager is passionate about her role and has a clear and ambitious vision for the setting. She is fully invested in supporting and encouraging every individual, both professionally and personally. As a result, staff morale is high. Practitioners' workloads are managed effectively and the management team ensures that staff's well-being is given the highest priority. Everyone engages in training and research to boost their skills and knowledge. Staff are dedicated and keen to use their expertise to make the most of every opportunity to enhance the provision for children. n Children are encouraged to be increasingly independent. There are many opportunities for them to make choices in their play and to take care of their own needs. At mealtimes and snack times, children lay the tables, serve their own food, pour their own drinks and cut up their own fruit. n There are many opportunities provided to enrich children's communication and

p.2

need to do better?

language skills. Children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing and staff ask thought-provoking questions. Staff repeat simple words for younger children and introduce more-challenging vocabulary to older children. As a result, children are confident speakers. Children who are learning English as an additional language are very well supported and make rapid progress in their communication skills. n Practitioners nurture a love of reading in children. They use books, songs and props to ignite children's interest in stories. As a result, children delight in listening to and retelling their favourite stories with adults. For example, children

p.2

need to do better?

9 January 2020 enjoy the story about going on a bear hunt. They confidently recite the story and decide whether to go over, under or through the obstacles. They squeal with delight when they find the bear in the cave. n Staff are very talented at encouraging children to solve problems and apply critical thinking. Children are inquisitive and enjoy experimentation. They are enthusiastic to test out different ways to use the resources. For example, older children discover how to mix their own dough, while babies squeeze pea pods and find out what is inside. This approach helps children to take ownership of and develop a positive attitude to learning. n Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Parents report that staff are incredibly caring, professional and supportive. Staff work extremely hard to support and liaise with parents. For example, the setting has introduced baby massage sessions at lunchtimes so parents can enjoy bonding time with their

p.2

need to do better?

child. As a result, children's needs are exceptionally well met and routines are carefully matched to mirror those at home. There are well-established systems in place to help children when they are ready to move through to the next room and on to school. Parents comment that their child settled extremely well at school because they had already practised the routines at the nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of safeguarding procedures and complete regular safeguarding training. This ensures they understand their responsibilities to report concerns about a child's welfare or any inappropriate actions of adults working with children. All staff implement robust and effective procedures and place a strong emphasis on ensuring children are cared for in a safe environment. This includes an extremely comprehensive recruitment and induction process. This ensures staff are suitable and have the necessary skills to fulfil their roles in the setting.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY396219 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113050 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 120 Number of children on roll 150 Name of registered person Childbase Partnership Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01223 464227 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2013

p.4

Information about this early years setting

University of West Cambridge Day Nursery registered in 2009 and is part of Childbase Limited, which is a national nursery chain. The nursery employs 64 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold early years degrees, and 20 members of staff hold childcare qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk through all areas of the indoor and outdoor environments. She explained how the setting operates and how the curriculum is organised to support children's learning opportunities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching, activities and interactions between all staff and children throughout the inspection. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector held discussions with managers, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and read a range of written feedback to gain their views on the setting and staff.

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

9 January 2020 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