Strode College Day Nursery

Inspection of Strode College Day Nursery Church Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0AB

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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

Children are happy and settled in the nursery. They respond very positively to the gentle humour of staff and their caring, reassuring approach. Children behave well. They begin to form positive friendships and play happily together. Older children help their younger friends, such as to hold their hand when negotiating a balance beam outdoors. Staff are keen to promote children's learning through their play. They plan a range of motivating activities that support children's interests effectively. Children become engrossed in their play and develop their imaginations well. For example, they mix cornflakes and rice to make a 'lemon' or 'chocolate cake'. They carefully spoon this out into bowls and happily share the cake with staff and visitors. Children learn well about their environment. They explore a water play activity and find toy sea animals and learn how rubbish impacts on sea life. They decide which items of rubbish can be recycled. Staff have changed the

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The provision is good

arrangements for children's arrival and collection to help keep them safe, as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Parents commented that they felt reassured with the procedures staff follow to protect their children's health.

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need to do better?

n The management team and staff work together effectively to provide a well- balanced curriculum. The manager has only recently been appointed and is establishing ways to develop the provision offered, and help staff meet children's needs consistently well. For example, staff have created a comfortable, inviting sensory area to help children settle in the nursery more easily. n Children learn well about keeping themselves healthy. They know to wash their hands before eating and start to 'catch their cough' in their hands. Staff talk with children about foods that will help keep their teeth clean. Children tell staff that drinking water helps you grow strong and healthy. n Staff manage children's behaviour very well. They keep clear, consistent daily routines to help children feel safe and support them well to understand and express their emotions. Children become confident to say they feel tired, happy

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need to do better?

or sad. Staff use positive reinforcement effectively, to help children learn how to share and be kind to others. n Staff skilfully build on children's interests and learning. Children become absorbed pouring and filling containers in a water play activity. They learn about the concepts of empty and full. Staff provide further resources for children to use and develop their coordination skills. Children start to carefully pour water along some guttering outdoors. n Children enjoy developing their physical skills through their play. They stretch, climb and slide on the pirate ship climbing frame or have fun splashing in puddles. Children learn to control their body movements. They enjoy running, taking giant leaps, walking backwards or on tip toe.

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need to do better?

29 September 2021 n Staff use their observations of children's play to identify their achievements and how to help them make further progress. However, at times, the management team and staff do not monitor and assess children's progress as closely as possible. For example, to ensure any interventions that may be needed are identified and actioned in a timely manner. n Parents comment that staff keep them well informed about their children's achievements. They state that staff are friendly and supportive, and their children are happy and settled at the welcoming nursery. n Staff provide activities to help children learn about specific celebrations and festivals. They talk with children about activities they do at home. However, they have not fully considered further ways to support children's understanding of diversity within their own lives and community. n Children start to develop their listening and attention skills, such as in a story

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need to do better?

and rhyme session. They enjoy joining in with favourite counting rhymes. Children gain confidence to express their views, such as to tell their friends about the weather. They say, 'It's windy outside as the trees are blowing'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team and staff are aware of safeguarding issues and recognise possible signs that may indicate concerns about children's welfare. Staff continue to update their awareness of safeguarding and understand the procedures to follow in the event of any concern arising. Staff complete risk assessments of the play areas and identify how to minimise accidents. For example, they have replaced outdoor play equipment with a sturdier climbing frame and slide to help keep children safe. The management team have a clear understanding of appropriate recruitment procedures to follow to help them in assessing the suitability of any new staff. They implement a detailed induction and continuous supervision process to help them assess and support staff development.

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should:

n continue to develop the systems for monitoring and assessing children's learning to ensure any necessary intervention is actioned promptly to close any potential gaps n provide further opportunities for children to develop their awareness of similarities and differences within their lives and those of others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142807 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10125822 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 16 Number of children on roll 7 Name of registered person Strode College

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reference number

Telephone number 01458 844412 Date of previous inspection 15 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Strode College Day Nursery registered in 1994. It is situated in its own premises on the campus of Strode College, in Street, Somerset. The nursery is open from 8.45am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, during school term time only. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are five members of staff, one holds early years professional status, two are qualified to level 6 and two hold relevant childcare qualifications at levels 3 and 4.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) 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 inspector observed children's interactions in play indoors and outdoors and had discussions with staff about learning and development. n A sample of documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including staff qualification and first-aid certificates. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of an activity and discussed the quality of teaching. n The inspector took into account the spoken views of parents. n The inspector had a tour of the premises with the manager who explained how the curriculum is delivered.

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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

29 September 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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