Willow Tree Day Nursery

Inspection of Willow Tree Day Nursery Adelaide House, Dukes Brow, Blackburn BB2 6EX

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Staff offer children a warm reception to nursery and value their contributions during play and discussions. This helps to build on children's feelings of self-worth. Children benefit from secure attachments with their key person. They show that they are happy, content and feel safe in the nursery environment. This is evident as children keenly welcome new visitors to the setting, such as the inspector. Children excitedly invite the inspector to join in with their play and are eager to talk about the chicks that have come to visit the nursery. Even following children's lively interactions, they show superb ability to listen and follow the rules. Pre-school children proudly stand in line to go outside following instructions from staff. Staff show high expectations of children. For example, they encourage babies to feed themselves. Babies do this very well, showing excellent coordination with their spoons.

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The provision is good

Children are provided with rich learning experiences in the nursery and through planned outings. These experiences support children in developing important skills that, due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), they have had limited opportunities to expand upon. For example, children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about caring for their new nursery pets, which has encouraged lots of new vocabulary in great support of their communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

n Partnership working is a particular strength. Parents are widely encouraged to participate in their children's learning. Staff recognise that this is especially important in light of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, staff send daily photographs and videos and share specific information on how parents can support their children's learning at home. Parents feel involved and give many examples of the progress their children have made. n Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the children and families. This information is used to build a well-informed curriculum. For example, staff place priority on older children's school readiness, ensuring that they have the skills necessary for the next stage of their learning. n Effective implementation of the curriculum intent has had a significant impact on the personal, social and emotional development of the youngest children and

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need to do better?

those leaving their main carers for the first time. The result of staff's consistent building on babies' secure attachments is evident. Babies are entirely at ease. They are settled and eager to explore. This provides excellent foundations for children's confidence and ability to learn. n Despite the clear vision and strong curriculum intent of the leaders, this is not always well understood and implemented by all staff. This is particularly evident

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need to do better?

8 June 2021 during children's time outdoors, where play is less purposeful and staff are not as confident in planning for children's individual learning needs. n Staff know their key children very well. Overall, planning is highly effective in supporting children to reach development goals and learn new skills. Staff understand how to seize opportunities, as they arise, to build on what children already know. For example, as children say numbers they know, staff use building blocks as a visual aid to encourage children to count in sequence. n Leaders ensure that professional development opportunities are linked to self- evaluation and some identified gaps in staff's knowledge. Most training is well targeted to ensure the maximum impact on outcomes for children. n Systems of performance management do not provide the manager with in-depth evaluations of all areas of teaching in order to raise the quality to the very

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need to do better?

highest levels. n Staff are proactive in implementing additional support for those children who are at risk of falling behind. Leaders and staff work closely with involved professionals of those children attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities. As a result, the needs of all children are well considered and met.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are knowledgeable about child protection matters. They receive regular training and leaders ensure that important messages have been understood as they monitor staff's understanding. This helps to ensure that gaps in knowledge are identified and addressed. Leaders create a culture of openness and empowerment among the staff team. Staff fully understand and are confident to raise concerns regarding a colleagues' behaviour should they need to. Leaders have good oversight of safeguarding issues. They know how to work with other professionals to help to keep children in their care safe. The setting is safe and secure and procedures are in place to ensure that children are only released to authorised individuals.

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should:

n build on current systems of performance management to fully consider all aspects of teaching n support staff to better understand and implement the curriculum intent, particularly when using the outdoor environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY547889 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10195613 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 58 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person Zeenat Day Care Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 664144 Date of previous inspection 28 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Willow Tree Day Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and provider and held discussions about the early years provision and meeting children's needs. n A joint observation was carried out and the inspector took account of the provider's evaluations. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery documentation. This included evidence of suitability checks on staff and safeguarding policies. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the provider to discuss leadership and management arrangements.

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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

8 June 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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