Ashridge Day Nursery Latimer

Inspection of Ashridge Day Nursery Latimer Blackwell Farm, Blackwell Hall Lane, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1TN

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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 benefit from well-planned transition procedures and they develop positive key-person relationships. For instance, when children start nursery they have settling-in visits. Children moving rooms visit regularly. This helps them become familiar with their new environment, different toys and new people. Staff mirror children's sleep routines. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well and staff demonstrate high expectations for their behaviour. For example, children respond promptly to the stop signal. Staff use simple language to give children instructions, which they follow promptly. Children cooperate well with their friends as they tidy up after playing in the meadow.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. They benefit from a range of stimulating activities. Children say that they like to play outdoors with their friends. They play imaginatively, pretending to be pirates and practise mixing and scooping as they play in the mud kitchen.

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The provision is good

Children are happy and safe. Children are eager to talk about their 'Meadow Safety Officer'. They explain to visitors that they check the ground, gate and fences in the meadow before using it. They explain the rules for going to see the animals.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to be active and develop their physical skills. For instance, they teach young children how to crawl over soft- play equipment. They demonstrate to children how to use their feet to push themselves up steps on the slide. Children smile with delight when they get to the top and come down the other side. Older children develop their small hand muscles well. For example, they learn to grip different writing tools and delight in using chalk to draw lines and circles on the ground. n Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to develop children's language. For example, staff repeat simple words when playing with younger children. They name items that children are playing with, such as 'spoon' or 'chicken'. Children then go on to copy these words in their play. Older children enjoy choosing songs to sing with their friends. They move excitedly to the music as

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need to do better?

they sing and this helps to develop their vocabulary well. n Children demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. They are eager to explore their environment. The begin to solve problems, such as negotiating space when learning to ride bicycles. However, on occasion, such as during self- chosen play, staff do not promptly recognise when they can offer further challenge. n Children are well prepared for their eventual move to school. Staff teach children

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need to do better?

18 August 2021 to be independent, such as by learning to put their coat and shoes on and manage their personal hygiene. Staff provide opportunities for older children to participate in group activities, such as circle time. This helps them to learn how to sit with others in a group. Children demonstrate good listening and delight in activities which promote their understanding of letter sounds. n Overall, staff demonstrate that they have a clear vision for what they want children to learn. However, on rare occasions, such as when planning group activities, staff do not fully consider the range and quantity of resources they need to help them deliver the intended learning. n Staff develop positive partnerships with parents. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the support they have received during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They value the regular communication between home and nursery. n Staff ensure that the nursery is inclusive. For example, they seek and follow

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need to do better?

advice from professionals to support children with health needs. They liaise with professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps children to make good progress in their learning. n Managers have high regard for staff well-being. They recognise the impact of COVID-19 on their team. Managers are supportive. They regularly meet with staff and ensure that they have access to support, if needed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff complete daily risk assessments to ensure that the building and areas of the farm accessed by children are ready for use. Staff consider safety well when moving around the farm. For example, they use radios to maintain contact with the main building. They take medical and first-aid equipment to the meadow. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding. They are able to explain the signs and symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are familiar with procedures for reporting concerns about children's welfare. Managers follow robust recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n strengthen delivery of the curriculum and ensure that staff fully consider the resources they can use to promote children's focus in their learning n develop staff support and help staff to understand how to challenge children even further in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2497026 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10194431 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 57 Number of children on roll 124 Name of registered person Ashridge Care Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01494300015 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ashridge Day Nursery Latimer registered in 2018. It is situated in the grounds of a farm in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The nursery accepts funding for the provision of free education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 22 staff. Of these, 21 work with children. Nine staff hold qualifications between level 2 and 4, and two staff hold qualifications at level 6.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n Staff talked to the inspector about how they plan activities and what they do to support children's learning and development. They also explained the procedures they follow to keep children safe. n The inspector went on a learning walk with the manager. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the deputy manager of a planned activity. n The inspector spoke to children and viewed their activities. She spoke to parents and considered 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

18 August 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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