Ashleigh Nursery School

Inspection of Ashleigh Nursery School Ashleigh Nursery School, Marsh Lane, Longton, Preston PR4 5ZJ

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in this warm, welcoming and vibrant nursery. Staff provide children with an extensive range of stimulating activities that promote their interests and cover all areas of learning. Children independently select what they would like to play with from resources that have been carefully considered to promote exploration and investigation. For example, children pretend to cook with fresh vegetables in the home corner. They develop their hand-to-eye coordination as they cut up carrots and parsnips to use in their imaginative play. They use real-life tins and baking trays and talk about the 'dinner' that they are making for their friends.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are happy, content and enthused. They develop positive attitudes to their learning and respond exceptionally well to the high expectations of staff. Children demonstrate confidence in trying new activities and are highly motivated to learn. For example, older children enjoy learning about how water changes. They skilfully pour water into ice-lolly moulds and excitedly discuss how the water will turn to ice when placed in the freezer. Babies and toddlers enjoy sharing books and rhymes with staff. They snuggle in for their favourite stories and enthusiastically copy the actions to familiar songs as they giggle and clap their hands in delight.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children quickly develop close attachments with the kind and caring staff team. The key-person system is very effective and staff continually help children to feel safe and emotionally secure. During flexible settling-in procedures, that are tailored to the individual needs of each child, staff take time to find out detailed information. This helps children to settle with ease. Furthermore, children are given ample opportunities to discuss how they are feeling each day and talk about their emotions. n Children are beginning to learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They are provided with home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks and frequently engage in energetic play. They enjoy yoga and mindfulness sessions that help to calm and focus them ready for learning. However, very occasionally, staff do not fully maximise children's well-being. They do not always encourage children to wash their hands prior to eating, or model good hygiene practice

p.2

need to do better?

after helping children to blow their nose. n Children respond positively to meaningful praise, support and encouragement. They behave extremely well as staff sensitively support and guide them on how to share, take turns and listen to others. Following a drama activity, a 'star of the day' award is given and children receive a special 'star stamp' which they proudly show off. Children relish the roles and responsibilities they are given. They listen and respond to the instructions given by staff and are keen to help

p.2

need to do better?

30 January 2020 tidy away the resources they have used. n Staff consistently help children to extend their language and communication skills. Staff working with babies and toddlers repeat keywords, name objects and use descriptive language as they play alongside them. Older children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing and staff continuously ask 'how', 'what' and 'why' questions that promote children's thinking and speaking skills. n Good attention is given to developing children's mathematical understanding. As babies build towers with blocks, staff count aloud. When constructing with blocks, staff talk to pre-school children about their structures being taller and bigger. Staff encourage children to add one more block and calculate how many they have. n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are strong and effective. Children benefit from a shared approach to their care and learning needs. Staff

p.2

need to do better?

keep parents well informed about their children's progress, which helps to extend learning at home. Families can borrow a range of story bags and other resources to share at home, and 'wow' moments celebrate children's achievements. n Staff engage in a wealth of training opportunities that help to improve their already good practice. They are reflective in their practice and continually evaluate the activities and opportunities that they provide for children. However, the arrangements for the supervision of staff are not yet robust. Staff do not benefit from highly effective, timely and consistent methods of supervision to support their continuing professional development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. They confidently describe the possible signs and symptoms that might indicate abuse and outline the procedures they would follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. Furthermore, they understand the action to take should they have concerns about a colleague's practice. Staff complete daily risk assessments and carry out continual checks of the premises as children play. This helps to ensure that children are able to play in a safe and secure environment.

p.3

should:

n ensure that staff consistently implement the nursery's high expectations with regard to hygiene procedures n further develop the arrangements for staff supervision so that staff receive consistent and timely support.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 309217 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10129141 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

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 72 Number of children on roll 94 Name of registered person Icedean Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01772 617 532 Date of previous inspection 26 October 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Ashleigh Nursery School registered in 1990 and is privately owned. The nursery operates from the church hall adjacent to Longton Methodist Church. It employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 3, including three who hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was completed with the deputy manager. n The inspector observed the quality of staff interactions. n A meeting was held with the manager and deputy manager. Documentation was viewed, including the suitability of staff and training records. n Discussions were held with parents, staff and children throughout the inspection and their views were taken into consideration.

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

30 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