Toddington Nursery School

Inspection of Toddington Nursery School Toddington School, Stow Road, Toddington, Cheltenham GL54 5DU

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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

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The provision is good

The organisation of drop-off and collection routines has been adapted since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. This means parents are no longer able to enter the classrooms with their children each morning. However, children are warmly greeted by staff at their classroom doors and parents have the opportunity to share information with staff while their children settle into their play.

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The provision is good

During the day, children play and learn in the exciting indoor and outdoor environments. Toddlers eagerly search for a worm family in the woodland area. They exclaim excitedly when they find three worms, comparing the lengths of each one and telling their friends the smallest one is the 'baby'.

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The provision is good

Babies explore colour and pattern with paint as they notice the marks vehicles make as they move them back and forth in paint. They notice how the paint coats their hands and discover the marks they can make when they press their hands on the mat. Staff encourage babies' exploration of the paint as they offer praise and encouragement.

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The provision is good

Older children's well-being is promoted through activities that help children to share their emotions. Staff encourage them to 'push away' sad feelings and share with the group what makes them happy. Children talk about loving 'mummy and daddy', favourite pets or new siblings.

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need to do better?

n Children are keen to learn and join in with different activities. Staff narrate what children are doing and offer new words when children struggle to name things they see. For example, in the woodland area when toddlers spot the catkins from the tree and mistake them for caterpillars, staff tell them the correct word. However, staff do not follow this up to check whether the children have understood the difference. n Parents understand the changes the manager and staff team have needed to make to keep children safe during COVID-19. They comment that the manager and staff have kept them well informed about their children's progress and have used creative ways to stay in touch, such as sharing videos of their children at play on the nursery's secure online system. n Staff working with the older children regularly check the impact of teaching, encouraging children to recall what they have learned. Children talk about the

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need to do better?

life cycle of the butterfly. They take others to see the cage and proudly tell them they can remember that caterpillars turn into cocoons before becoming butterflies. n Staff recognise that some children need extra support since returning to the

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need to do better?

18 May 2021 nursery after it was closed during lockdown. Staff provide opportunities for children to manage emotions, share and take turns. For example, they offer children a vote on which story or activity they would like to do next or give a five minute warning when there are changes to the routine. Staff acknowledge what children say and help them accept when they do not get their first choice. n Children confidently express their thoughts and ideas, and their communication skills develop well. Staff speak clearly to model pronunciation of words and use a broad vocabulary. They listen carefully when children talk and identify when children may need extra support with their communication skills. Staff make sure they organise support from relevant professionals and any gaps close quickly. n Innovative thinking in the pre-school has supported children's personal, social and emotional development, as well as focusing on promoting learning around

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need to do better?

mathematics. Children have helped develop a mathematics area. They contribute to decisions about resources and equipment, bringing in natural objects they find in the woodland area to count and sort. Children's social skills, knowledge of mathematical concepts and vocabulary have increased as they work cooperatively with each other and staff on this exciting new project area.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that all staff have completed further safeguarding training. They understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe extremely well. All staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding policies and procedures. They know exactly what to do if they need to refer concerns about the welfare of a child. There have been some changes to staff, and the manager implements thorough recruitment, induction and monitoring procedures. These include regular checking of all staff's suitability to work with children.

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should:

n ensure staff use their knowledge about what children can do and have learned, to further extend children's development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548988 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10144749 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

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Toddington Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07867577658 Date of previous inspection 15 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Toddington Nursery School registered in 2017 and is based in Toddington, near Cheltenham. The nursery is open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, during term time only. It is registered to accept funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years, including the extended 30 hours offer. Nine members of staff work with the children, one of whom holds qualified teacher status. There are two members of staff with appropriate childcare qualifications at level 4, one staff member with an appropriate childcare qualification at level 3 and one staff member with an appropriate childcare qualification at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager, room leaders and the inspector completed a learning walk together to look at how the curriculum is planned to meet children's needs and development. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager in the pre-school and baby rooms to review the quality of teaching. n Parents spoke to the inspector and shared online views about the nursery, including the different ways in which staff have kept them informed about what children are doing and learning. n Children talked with the inspector about what they had learned and what they liked about their nursery.

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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

18 May 2021 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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