Fawn & Fern Woodland Nursery

Inspection of Bracken Place Day Nursery 3 Bracken Place, Chilworth, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 3NG

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children of all ages behave impeccably well and they are extremely polite towards staff and friends. Staff give children strong guidance so that they always know what is expected of them. Children display exceptionally high levels of confidence and motivation to engage fully in play. For instance, older children expertly negotiated a challenging assault course. Toddlers skilfully used a sawing motion to independently chop up their lasagne.

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The provision is good

Staff offer all children good access to an ambitious curriculum that encompasses the seven areas of learning. Children of all ages engage in a broad, interesting range of activities. This was evident when toddlers explored the outdoor environment using telescopes they had made the previous day. Toddlers eagerly tilted the tubes upwards and talked about what they could see in the sky. Staff help all children to enhance their communication and language skills. For instance, in the baby room, staff exaggerated facial movements and made repetitive sounds. Babies delighted in copying them and they babbled loudly. In the pre-school room, older children confidently filled in the missing words of popular songs. Staff consistently adopt a gentle manner during conversations with children. Across the nursery, children demonstrate that they feel secure when they approach familiar staff for a cuddle.

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need to do better?

n Staff are heavily invested in the self-evaluation process and they eagerly contribute ideas for improvement within their own rooms. For example, staff in the baby room recognised that young babies respond well to visual stimulation. They collaborated with each other to create a black and white area for young children. Staff display pride as they explain that babies enjoy reaching out for the contrasting fabrics and stroking the textured cushions. n Staff provide good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who make good progress in their education. For instance, staff often supplement speech with visual prompts and sign language. Children gain a good understanding of what comes next in their daily routine. Staff welcome advice from a host of other professionals involved in children's care. They follow guidance to support children's good development. n There are slight gaps in the manager's knowledge of additional funding available

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need to do better?

to support individual children. The manager recognises that this is an area she needs to strengthen to further close any gaps in learning. n The manager deploys staff well across the nursery. While children enjoy independently exploring the play environment, a member of staff is always nearby if they need support. This was illustrated when children returned from outdoor play and a member of staff supported them to change into dry clothes.

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need to do better?

31 January 2020 At lunchtime, toddlers independently spooned out vegetables and staff offered additional help when they noticed that children needed it. Children's conduct is excellent throughout the day and they respond positively to all instructions given by staff. They thoroughly enjoy contributing to nursery life. n The key-person system is implemented well across the nursery. Staff form strong links with parents and regularly communicate details about children's learning and care. For example, staff share details about activities that children take part in. Children establish secure emotional links to their key person. When children move between age groups, staff complete thorough hand-overs. The new key person is able to offer children stability in their routine as they implement a consistent approach to care. n The management team understands how important it is for staff to be satisfied with their role within the nursery. Managers create a positive culture where staff

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need to do better?

are eager to share their views and talk about changes at home. However, the management team recently identified that some staff have fewer opportunities to access training and develop their professional skills. They are continuing to work with staff to identify suitable learning opportunities to further develop the quality of their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider, management team and staff work well together to reduce risks to children. For instance, they improved flooring and removed some foliage in the garden area. This has increased safety for children who enjoy playing outdoors. All staff have a secure knowledge of safeguarding and they know how to report any concerns about children's care. The management team offers a range of opportunities for staff to confidentially discuss any concerns, for example during regular supervision meetings. However, staff also know how to contact the designated officer within the local authority. This is important if they feel they would prefer to discuss issues confidentially with other professionals.

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should:

n strengthen knowledge of additional funding available for children, to further enhance children's experiences and close any gaps in learning n increase opportunities for all staff to access training to raise the quality of their professional skills and expertise.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 511326 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10128573 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 96 Number of children on roll 95 Name of registered person Bracken Place Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07769698970 Date of previous inspection 12 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Bracken Place Day Nursery registered in 2000. It operates from a converted house and a purpose-built extension in Chilworth, Southampton. The nursery opens for 51 weeks of the year, from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four years. There are 24 members of staff. Of these, three have level 5 childcare qualifications, 11 have level 3 qualifications and six have level 2 qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector took a learning walk across the nursery. They discussed different aspects of practice. n The inspector spoke to staff about how they plan to meet the needs of children in their key groups. n During the morning, the inspector and the manager evaluated an adult-led activity. n The inspector held a meeting with the management and they discussed staff training needs. n Parents shared their opinions about the nursery with the inspector.

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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

31 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.

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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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