School House Nursery Uckfield

Inspection of School House Nursery Uckfield 6 - 7 Falmer Court, London Road, Uckfield TN22 1HN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in the nursery. They are confident to explore their surroundings, both inside and outside. Children develop close relationships with staff, especially senior staff, who help them to settle into their adapted routines due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. For example, babies look for reassurance from familiar staff when they are unsure about unknown visitors.

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The provision is good

Children develop close friendships with their peers. They show care and compassion towards others. For example, children ask their friends if they are ok when they are playing doctors in the role play area. Children show great curiosity and question their findings to broaden their knowledge. For example, they are amazed at the large beetle they find in the garden. Children ask staff about its wings, the iridescent colour and the antennae. They continue to search for other creatures hiding in the garden.

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The provision is good

Children's independence and self-help skills are highly encouraged. Babies select activities and resources from shelves in their room. Toddlers choose whether to play inside or outside several times during the day. Most pre-school children serve themselves at lunchtime, making decisions as to what they want to eat and how much they want to eat. They clean up after themselves, wiping tables and clearing their plates.

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need to do better?

n Children's play is promoted well through a balance of spontaneous and planned activities. Staff know children's stages of development well and provide exciting and stimulating experiences for individual children. n Children's physical development is promoted well. Babies are encouraged to pull themselves up with help from staff. Toddlers learn to use steps safely, holding on to staff's hands to make the step down into the garden. Staff recognise that some children live in flats and do not experience steps on a daily basis. Pre- school children use tweezers to carefully place small items into trays and bottles. n Staff constantly use effective questions to help older children solve problems and to extend their vocabulary. For example, children explore ice. Staff ask them how they are going to get the animals out of the ice. Children think carefully before using tools to try to release the animals. However, staff do not always

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need to do better?

promote younger children's vocabulary and understanding to the same level. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents make very positive comments about the information they receive about their individual children's progress and how this can be supported at home. Parents feel that the nursery is well managed and praise the management for the ongoing care of their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they are not always kept informed of staff

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need to do better?

15 July 2021 changes and who is caring for their children, to help promote the consistent approaches to their children's care. n Staff have a positive attitude towards their professional development and are eager to gain further knowledge and skills. The management team has initiated a well-being programme for staff to support their ongoing work with children. They work well as a team, supporting each other in their daily routines. n Children's individuality is celebrated and enthusiastically encouraged. Staff know the children well and provide challenges to help them move on to the next stage in their development. Children are encouraged to think for themselves and experiment with new play situations. However, not all children are included in group learning experiences. For example, during lunchtime, children serve themselves, are encouraged to talk about their likes and dislikes, and to help each other. Those who do not have hot lunches are not fully included in these

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need to do better?

discussions and have fewer high-quality interactions with staff. n Staff work closely with other agencies and professionals to provide a consistent approach to the care and learning of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They liaise closely with local schools to aid the transition of children to their next place of learning. n Children learn to keep themselves and others safe. Staff remind them to tuck chairs back under tables so that others do not trip over. When playing with the parachute, children are reminded to mind other children's fingers and to find enough space.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have up-to-date knowledge of how to protect children from harm. They continuously assess their understanding of procedures to follow through scenarios and discussions in team meetings. Staff have access to a wealth of information on site and on the setting's website. Staff carry out thorough risk assessments and make changes to the environment when hazards are identified. Older children show a clear understanding of fire safety, explaining what they have to do and where they have to go in an emergency. The management has made adaptations to children's routines and care to provide a safe play environment during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

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should:

n encourage younger children's vocabulary and language development more effectively n provide parents with timely information about who is caring for their children in each room

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should:

15 July 2021 n include all children in group activities to help extend their social skills, self-help skills and decision making.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY552922 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10130889 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person The Old School House Nursery (Lewes) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01825 749717 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

School House Nursery Uckfield registered in 2017. The nursery is situated in Uckfield, East Sussex. It operates all year round, Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm. The nursery follows the Montessori education philosophy. It provides funded places for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The nursery has 10 members of staff, seven of whom hold qualifications to level 3.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together, discussing how the learning of all children is promoted in the setting. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Children spoke to the inspector about their activities and play. n Parents spoke to the inspector to share their comments about the setting. n The inspector sampled documentation, including staff suitability checks, qualifications, policies and procedures.

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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

15 July 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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