Goldington Community Nursery

Inspection of Goldington Community Nursery Downside, BEDFORD MK41 9JA

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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, safe and secure in this warm and welcoming environment. From a young age, they are developing firm attachments with staff who are patient, kind and caring in their approach. Children thoroughly enjoy story time and looking at books with staff. They become involved as they excitedly recall and retell the events in 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages have fun exploring their outdoor area and playing together. Their physical development is supported as they learn to keep safe as they climb and balance on the outdoor apparatus. They develop their risk-taking skills. For instance, children learn how to navigate around each other and different objects when driving down a slope in their ride-on cars. Children confidently look inside and step into large cardboard boxes. They are curious as they explore what they can do with these, using their imaginations to make them into houses and space rockets.

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The provision is good

Children are inquisitive and enjoy finding out about different animals. They gain an understanding of how the animals live and what they like to eat. For example, they closely watch the large African snails in the aquarium. They talk about how the snails wriggle their ears and move slowly. They safely watch 'Spotty' the rabbit come out to play and learn how to take care of him.

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need to do better?

n Staff adopt a curriculum that reflects children's interests. They gather detailed information from parents so they can build on what children know and can do. Staff know the skills and knowledge they expect children to learn and develop over time. This helps children become ready to move rooms and on to school. However, staff do not always focus their planning precisely on what children need to learn next and how they will sequence this learning. n Children develop good levels of confidence and happily approach adults for help. They freely go to staff for cuddles when they are feeling sad. Staff support children's behaviour well and act as excellent role models. They provide children with clear boundaries and explanations as to what is expected of them, along with plenty of praise and encouragement. Children learn to take turns and share as they play together. For example, they patiently wait to take their turn at

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need to do better?

bowling balls to knock down the skittles. Children keenly count the number they have knocked down. n New children settle in well. Staff are sensitive and use effective settling-in processes that support children's individual needs. These include a number of visits to the nursery, with and without their parents, which are tailored to each child's needs.

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need to do better?

4 October 2021 n Staff know their key children and plan activities to support their learning and development. Additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, is used well. For example, staff have purchased carefully chosen equipment to support and develop children's physical needs. n Staff skilfully promote children's language and communication. They engage children in regular and meaningful conversations and ask questions that encourage them to think and respond. Staff speak clearly and repeat both new and familiar words to children, who readily respond and repeat these words with increasing confidence. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported effectively to suit their individual needs. For example, staff use visual cues to help children understand and parents provide key words for staff to use. n Staff build strong relationships with parents, who speak highly about the service

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need to do better?

and communication they receive. Staff share information with parents through daily verbal feedback, along with any written assessments about children's learning. Staff work effectively with external professionals when needed to ensure children receive any additional help they may need. n The manager supports staff effectively through supervision meetings and observations of their practice. Staff can access online training and are encouraged to reflect on their practice. Staff feel that the leaders consider their well-being. They feel confident in seeking support from leaders, where required. n Staff provide a well-resourced and organised learning environment that provides children with a good range of experiences across all areas of learning. They complete daily checks to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments are safe for children to play. Occasionally, staff do not notice rotten fruits that have

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need to do better?

fallen from the trees and play materials that have become loose.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the procedures to follow to keep children safe from harm. They confidently describe the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. All staff attend regular safeguarding training to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain up to date, including regarding extremism and radicalisation.

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should:

n refine and strengthen curriculum planning to enable staff to build on what they know about each child, sequencing learning to ensure children make the best possible progress n review when daily checks are completed in order to assess that outdoor areas are suitable for children to play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2603534 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10209225 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person One YMCA

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reference number

Telephone number 01234352202 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Goldington Community Nursery registered in 2020. It is located next to Goldington Family Centre in Bedford. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am to 5pm. 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 with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A learning walk was completed with the manager to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n A joint evaluation of an activity was completed with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She reviewed a variety of documents, including qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children during activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.

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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

4 October 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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