Stephen Perse Nurseries - Dame Bradbury's

Inspection of Stephen Perse Nurseries - Dame Bradbury's Dame Bradbury's School, Ashdon Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 2AL

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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 experience a broad range of learning opportunities, helping them to develop skills and make progress in all areas. Children are curious to explore the resources and show good levels of engagement. There is a focus on developing children's critical thinking skills and independent learning. For example, children confidently look inside baskets to find the tools they could use to flatten and cut play dough. Toddlers demonstrate high levels of persistence to find the correct wooden shapes to complete puzzles.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages are happy and engage confidently with staff and other children. They form strong attachments with staff. This helps children feel safe and secure. Children's behaviour is good. They are polite, sociable and share the resources well. Children listen to staff and respond appropriately.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to be physically active. In the outside area, they peddle the bikes and scooters enthusiastically around a track, showing good control. Babies and toddlers develop strength and coordination as they freely move around the room. Babies learning to walk use low-level furniture to pull themselves up to a standing position. Children regularly attend a forest school on site where they play and explore as they learn about nature and the environment.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team have a clear and ambitious vision. They plan a broad curriculum to encourage children to become critical thinkers and independent learners. The leadership team monitor and track the progress and development of every child. They evaluate the provision and are committed to implement any improvements to maintain a high-quality provision. n Staff use information provided by parents and their own observations to establish what children already know and can do. They talk confidently about what children need to learn next and how they plan activities to support children to make good progress. n Before children start, settling-in sessions are arranged and are tailored to help meet children's individual needs. The key-person system is firmly embedded and key people form relationships with children's parents from the start. As a result, staff know children and families well. n Children develop a love of books and reading. They visit the school library and

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need to do better?

sit under the overhanging branches of 'the tree of knowledge'. Children listen intently as staff read to them in the calm and inspirational space. Children curiously look through the good selection of appropriate books on display before selecting a book to take home. n Children have daily opportunities to enjoy songs and rhymes. They

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need to do better?

21 October 2021 enthusiastically join in with familiar songs. Some children show confidence to sing by themselves. Children watch staff intently as they model the actions. Children have great fun as they imitate staff and make their fingers into the 'hedgehogs' and 'spiders' that feature in the song. n Children's independence is supported well. For example, older children confidently toilet themselves and wash their hands. Staff encourage them to change their shoes to wellies and put on their own coats for outdoor play. Babies and toddlers flourish in the nursery. They benefit from high-quality interactions from staff in a calm and nurturing environment. n The nursery chef provides children with freshly cooked, home-made meals and snacks every day. This helps to ensure they have a healthy and well-balanced diet. Children sit together at mealtimes, demonstrating good social skills and table manners. n Staff attend supervision meetings and appraisals. The leadership team arrange

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need to do better?

regular staff training. Staff say they feel valued and supported. However, leaders do not consistently provide staff with incisive feedback to ensure they understand how to improve their knowledge and skills to the highest level. n Parents are highly complimentary about the nursery and staff. They say they feel well informed about their child's progress and what they need to learn next. Parents value the daily feedback provided by staff when they collect their children. They appreciate the information staff share with them to help support children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know how to identify the signs of child abuse. They know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare. They understand the procedures to follow should there be a concern or an allegation made about a member of staff. Leaders provide training for staff to update and refresh their knowledge and understanding about safeguarding. Recruitment and vetting procedures are very thorough. Staff's ongoing suitability is regularly checked. Daily risk assessments in each room are used effectively to provide a safe and hygienic environment for children.

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should:

n provide staff with incisive feedback to enable them to improve their knowledge and skills to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2553123 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10198702 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 41 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person The Stephen Perse Foundation

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reference number

Telephone number 01799522348 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Stephen Perse Nurseries - Dame Bradbury's registered in 2019. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round with the exception of bank holidays, over the Christmas period and for one week in August.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 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 leadership team joined the inspector on a learning walk. They talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with a member of the leadership team. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

21 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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