Umbrella Nursery

Inspection of Umbrella Nursery Thistley Hill, Melbourne Avenue, Dover CT16 2JH

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

The nursery provides a homely environment. Children receive a warm welcome from staff upon their arrival and settle quickly to their chosen activity. Staff are calm and attentive. They support children with praise and reassurance. The positive changes to the environment, such as picture labels, support children in identifying and returning play items. Children learn to be independent as they display their own artwork. This helps to support a sense of belonging in children. Staff write captions in speech bubbles to display alongside children's artwork to capture their thoughts and ideas. For example, children share that snowflakes are chilly and wet. Staff encourage children to be polite and show respect to others. Children's behaviour is good.

p.2

The provision is good

The key-person system is effective. Staff gather important information about each child, so their individual care needs are met effectively. Children have their own family books which contain photographs of family members. They enjoy looking at the pictures and talking about their family with their friends.

p.2

The provision is good

Babies show delight in exploring the sounds of home-made sensory bottles. They keenly grip and shake them with vigour and smile at their achievements. Older children enjoy using their imaginations in outdoor play. They make different flavoured ice creams and share these with their friends. Children learn to care for others as they handle and look after the nursery hamster. Staff ensure children follow good hygiene procedures when handling pets.

p.2

need to do better?

n The new manager has made lots of changes since the last inspection. She is reflective and proactive in setting high expectations for staff and the nursery environment. The manager and senior management oversee staff's performance to ensure they receive regular support, such as supervisory meetings and appraisals. Staff attend all mandatory training, such as child protection and paediatric first aid, to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current to safeguard children. n The manager closely monitors the well-being of staff. She is supportive of their individual needs. Staff say they are very well supported and feel confident to approach the manager should they have the need to do so. n Staff work closely with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They implement well-targeted personalised plans to support each child's individual learning. Parents comment how

p.2

need to do better?

supportive the staff team is in identifying and responding to their children's needs. n The manager and staff monitor children's progress. They identify and plan for

p.2

need to do better?

8 January 2020 children's next steps in learning. For example, they have identified that mathematics is an area that requires further development. Staff have placed vegetables, such as potatoes and onions, in pretend play and talk to children about their weight and volume. This increases children's involvement in mathematics in fun and interesting ways. n Staff provide imaginative and challenging ideas for activities. They encourage children to engage in exploratory play. For instance, babies delight in placing their hands in damp sand and gloop, and older children mix dry pasta as they pretend to cook in the mud kitchen. This develops children's small-muscle and problem-solving skills. n Staff have attended training opportunities to promote children's language development and use their newly gained skills well. For example, they introduce words such as 'stomping', 'splash' and 'squelch' as children explore the story and

p.2

need to do better?

illustrations of 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. However, staff do not always respond to the emerging interests of children to build further on their learning, such as the bug hotel in outdoor play. n Staff support children's knowledge of cultural diversity, and children learn about festivals such as Chinese New Year. However, staff do not fully consider how to incorporate the cultural heritage of children currently attending the nursery. n Staff share information with parents in a number of ways. Since the last inspection, the manager has introduced a lending library with a variety of resources and activities. This enables parents to support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The management team implements policies and procedures effectively. This includes safeguarding, behaviour management and robust recruitment procedures. They notify Ofsted of any significant changes as required. Staff have made effective changes to the environment. Risk assessments now identify any potential hazards to ensure children play in a safe and secure environment. Accidents and incidents are recorded and shared with parents. Staff have a good understanding of child protection issues, including the wider aspects of safeguarding. They can clearly identify what might give them reason to be concerned and who they would report these concerns to. They participate in safeguarding quizzes to ensure their knowledge remains current.

p.3

should:

n support staff to respond to opportunities that arise in children's play, to extend, challenge and maximise learning to the highest levels

p.3

should:

8 January 2020 n strengthen the planning of the curriculum to reflect the heritage of the children and their families more effectively.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY443819 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10119057 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

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 30 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Alpha Nurseries Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01304203040 Date of previous inspection 26 July 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Umbrella Nursery registered in 2012. It is one of 30 nurseries owned by Alpha Nurseries Ltd. The nursery is located in a purpose-built building in Dover, Kent. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are four members of staff, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed how resources are set out and how staff implement the curriculum. n A range of documentation was sampled, such as child protection procedures, staff suitability checks, sick-child policy and action plans for improvement. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and talked to staff to find out how they plan for children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents to gain their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

8 January 2020 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

8 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7