The Oaks Nursery

Inspection of The Oaks Nursery The Oaks Children's Centre, Grange Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 2LA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy to attend the nursery. They know and follow routines and behave very well. Older children listen, and follow instructions, as they get ready to go indoors at lunchtime. They know how to, and understand why they need to, wash their hands prior to eating. They manage this independently. Younger children confidently move around the nursery, choosing what they want to do. This shows they feel safe and secure. Staff teach them to take turns and play cooperatively alongside others.

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The provision is good

Older children engage well in activities, showing good levels of focus and concentration. Staff encourage children to recall previous learning. When children pick pea pods from the garden, they remember how they previously opened the pea pods, took them to the chef and ate the peas with their lunch. Staff talk to children about how the pea pods grow. This helps children to embed their previous learning and encourages their language development.

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The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have positive experiences in the nursery. Staff know them well and provide them with opportunities that interest them. Children with delayed language skills communicate effectively with staff, using alternative methods such as picture prompts and signing. This helps them to communicate their needs and choices.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, a new manager has been appointed. The manager engages positively with staff, spending time observing and supporting their practice. Staff receive regular feedback about their performance, which helps them to identify ways to continue their professional development. Staff in lead roles receive specific training to help them to fulfil the requirements of their role well. n Children understand what is expected of them and the rules they need to follow. During a fire drill, children were well practised and without hesitation followed the correct procedures. They listened carefully, followed instructions, and remained calm. This effective practice helps to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. n Children have lots of opportunities to practise their physical skills. Outdoors, they run around and ride on scooters. Younger children safely negotiate ramps. Staff keep children safe. They communicate well with each other, to ensure children

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need to do better?

are always well supervised as they move indoors or outside. n Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staff have found ways to continue to communicate effectively with parents. They share information about children's development and enable a regular two-way flow of

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need to do better?

31 August 2021 information, importantly where there are concerns about children's development. Parents comment positively about their children's experiences in the nursery, particularly about the progress they have made with their communication and language skills. n Staff working with children who speak English as an additional language place a strong focus on helping them to develop their communication skills. Staff use books and songs to encourage children's new vocabulary. Staff play alongside younger children, talking to them about what they are doing and using simple words and phrases. Children copy those words and successfully use them as they play. n Leaders continually look at ways to improve what they offer for children. Recent changes mean that children experience a calmer environment, where they can focus and concentrate better. Leaders take account of children's different needs. They create a safe and calming space for children to access, when they need to

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need to do better?

be away from the main nursery environment. This particularly helps children with SEND, who benefit from sensory experiences. However, at times, the environment for the youngest children is not so well organised. After lunch, when staff are managing routines, such as clearing away and nappy changing, there are fewer opportunities to capture children's interest or help them to focus. n Children are encouraged to be independent from a young age, which helps them to successfully transition between rooms. Older children serve themselves food at lunch time and tidy away their plates and cups afterwards. However, despite the positive interactions they have with staff during the morning's activities, staff do not consistently continue this through lunchtime. Children have fewer interactions with staff, which limits opportunities to continue their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know the signs they need to be aware of that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the procedures they must follow to report those concerns. Leaders ensure staff keep their knowledge up to date, including of wider safeguarding matters that may impact on children. Leaders test out staff's safeguarding knowledge regularly with quizzes and support them to access relevant training. Leaders understand their responsibility to report any concerns about children and know to which agencies they must report them. Leaders make rigorous checks on staff's suitability to ensure only those suitable to work with children do so.

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should:

31 August 2021 n support staff to strengthen planning of the environment for the youngest children, so that these children remain focused and engaged throughout the day n enhance the quality of staff interactions with older children, particularly during routine activities such as lunchtime, so that children's learning is extended throughout the day.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440385 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10145253 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 42 Number of children on roll 82 Name of registered person Alpha Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01394 694752 Date of previous inspection 30 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Oaks Nursery registered in 2011. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff and a cook. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 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 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic on the provider and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n Children spoke to the inspector about the activities they were engaged in and what they enjoyed doing in the nursery. n The manager and the inspector jointly observed and evaluated a planned activity. n Parents spoke to the inspector about their children's experiences in the nursery and the information that staff share with them. n The manager, the provider's nominated person and the inspector held a meeting together. The inspector looked at a sample of documents, including evidence of staff's suitability.

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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

31 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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