St Vincent's Nursery

Inspection of St Vincent's Nursery St. Vincents Primary School, Orchard Road, ALTRINCHAM, Cheshire WA15 8EY

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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 thrive due to the exemplary care they receive in this rich, vibrant and wholly inclusive nursery. Staff have an excellent understanding of children's needs, much of which is based on first-hand observations and excellent relationships. They have wonderfully high expectations of children and are extremely passionate about providing the very best possible experiences for children to enjoy. Staff diligently gather information when children first start at the nursery. They visit families in their homes to establish children's existing skills and abilities, their likes and dislikes and previous life experiences. Staff make excellent use of this information to plan meticulously for children's individual learning needs.

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The provision is outstanding

Innovative and inspiring consideration is given to supporting children's emotional health and mental well-being. Children relish the roles and responsibilities they are given. They immerse themselves in the task of being a 'well-being warrior', where they develop impressive compassion and empathy for others. Children enthusiastically engage in laughter yoga, which helps to lift their mood, lower stress levels and focus them impressively for learning. 'Calm caves' have been introduced for all age groups, to support children to recognise when they need time to themselves, to reflect and to regulate their emotions. These superb opportunities contribute significantly to children being exceptionally happy, settled, safe and secure.

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need to do better?

n The quality of staff's interactions with children are outstanding. Staff effortlessly ignite children's passion and enthusiasm for learning and skillfully differentiate activities to provide optimal challenge that supports rapid progress. Staff provide first-class learning experiences inside and outside that contribute to children being extremely motivated and eager to learn. For example, young children excitedly notice hailstones in the garden and staff teach them about what causes hailstones to form. Older children animatedly discuss the effects of the recent storm and confidently describe how a storm is a 'mixture of weather' that is 'strong and hard'. n The acquisition of children's language skills is given high regard. Staff working with young children ensure they pronounce words clearly, use an abundance of descriptive language and demonstrate conversational skills. Staff in the pre- school room enrich children's understanding by encouraging them to use a

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need to do better?

dictionary. Children look up the word 'storm' and discuss its meaning. They share newspaper articles that report on the chaos that the storm has caused and staff discuss with children what they think the word chaos might mean. Furthermore, the nursery employs a speech and language therapist to provide support to children, staff and parents.

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need to do better?

11 February 2020 n Children develop an impressive awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they engage in forest school activities that support their understanding of risk in an outdoor environment. Pre-school children have developed their own risk assessments for areas of learning within the nursery. For example, they have identified that wooden blocks in the construction area might be heavy, so they must be careful of their fingers and toes and to tidy away blocks so that they do not fall over. n Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is magnificent. Highly knowledgeable staff have an astute understanding of children's individual needs. Their detailed, well-considered interventions and robust partnership working with other professionals ensure that any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified and addressed. n The exceptional skills and knowledge of the leadership team ensure that the

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need to do better?

systems for the daily operation of the nursery are highly effective. Rigorous and accurate evaluation of the nursery's performance is continuously undertaken and informs exciting plans for the future. n Staff are committed and dedicated and share the leadership team's enthusiasm and dedication. They comment positively on the support they receive, which encompasses supervision meetings, peer observations and opportunities to access an abundance of training, to further develop their already outstanding skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have a robust understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. There is a vigilant culture throughout the nursery where children's welfare is paramount and at the heart of all they do. All staff engage in regular safeguarding training and the subject is continuously discussed at staff meetings. The manager implements robust recruitment arrangements and stringent checks to ensure staff are suitable to carry out their roles and remain suitable to do so. Meticulous documentation is maintained that includes the recording of accidents and medication.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343794 Local authority Trafford Inspection number 10109745 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 11 Total number of places 205 Number of children on roll 346 Name of registered person St. Vincent's Primary School Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 928 7581 Date of previous inspection 13 February 2013

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Information about this early years setting

St Vincent's Nursery registered in 2006 and is situated in purpose-built premises on the site of St Vincent's Catholic Primary School in Altrincham. The nursery employs 21 members of staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including two staff who hold early years teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks a year, from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The nursery also provides before and after school care.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager, to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was completed with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and deputy. Documentation was sampled, including the suitability of staff working at the nursery and training records. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

11 February 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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