The Old School House Day Nursery

Inspection of The Old School House Day Nursery Church Lane, Middleton, Tamworth B78 2AW

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children, generally, develop a positive attitude towards learning and make good progress from their starting points. They arrive full of excitement and enthusiasm, eager to play and spend time with their friends. They focus well during activities and gain a range of skills and attitudes in readiness for their future learning, including school. Children thrive outdoors, where they spend a high proportion of their day. They take part in a wide variety of activities that helps to develop their early mathematics and literacy skills. They measure sticks and record the shapes they find outdoors on clipboards. Children count the spider's legs and compare sizes before exploring books placed nearby.

p.2

The provision is good

Babies demonstrate that they are emotionally secure in the care of the staff, as they smile and regularly snuggle up to staff for cuddles. Children are kind and look out for each other. For example, a child helps a friend to put on their coat when they see them struggle. Children show high levels of confidence and independence as they take responsibility for their own belongings, such as their own coats and wellington boots, throughout the day. Children behave well and appropriate support is provided to ensure they follow and understand the boundaries set.

p.2

need to do better?

n The environment is stimulating, vibrant and well resourced. Children are cared for by enthusiastic, nurturing staff, who respond quickly to their physical and emotional needs. Children's behaviour is managed well. n Staff have high expectations of what children can achieve. They closely monitor the learning and development of each child. They have a clear intent about what they want each child to learn next and provide an interesting and varied range of learning opportunities. However, staff do not consistently offer opportunities for children to develop their understanding of diversity and the wider world beyond their immediate family. n Staff support children to develop excellent physical skills. Children use their bodies in different ways with growing skill and confidence. They climb trees, build dens, balance on logs and use a range of real-life tools during creative activities. Children use their small-muscle skills as they groom visiting ponies and

p.2

need to do better?

clip bows onto their coats. Staff are aware that children must develop their physical skills before they can learn to hold a pencil correctly and write. n Children are independent as staff teach them to learn to do things for themselves. They are supported to learn about the impact food and exercise has on their bodies and why they need to develop a daily teeth-cleaning regime. n Children's early communication skills are promoted well. Staff help children to build sentences and pronounce words correctly. They introduce new words, such as 'vertical' and horizontal'.

p.2

need to do better?

22 October 2021 n Two-year-old children enjoy their morning music session. They sing enthusiastically and take turns choosing the next song. However, occasionally, staff do not take account of the space available when planning these whole- group activities, so children cannot always fully engage and so lose some enthusiasm during the activity. n Staff promote children's early literacy skills. They read with good intonation. They ask questions about stories to encourage the children to use their thinking skills. Children learn to recognise and write letters in their name. n Staff provide good opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. Children care for the nursery's chickens and collect their eggs. n Parents speak highly of the staff. Staff have established an effective two-way flow of information about children's learning with parents. n The manager monitors the curriculum and children's learning effectively. Where

p.2

need to do better?

gaps are identified, the manager acts swiftly. The quality of teaching is monitored through regular observations of staff's practice. n The well-being of the staff is very important to the management team, and staff say they feel well supported. They receive regular relevant training, to promote children's needs, as well as helpful feedback on their practice. n Regular evaluation of the nursery takes account of the views of children, parents and staff. The manager has an accurate view of where improvements can be made.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures in place to help to ensure that those working with children are suitable to do so. Leaders and staff have a comprehensive understanding of the possible signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and know when and where to refer a concern. Children help to carry out safety checks with staff, which helps them to learn about managing their own risks. The provider complies with required staff-to- child ratios at all times. The children are supervised well.

p.3

should:

n increase opportunities to enhance children's learning and understanding of diversity and equal opportunities n review the organisation of the learning environment to help make sure that there is enough space for children to participate fully in activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2597717 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10209206 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 123 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Middleton Daycare Group Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01213083923 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Old School House Day Nursery registered in 2020. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 to level 6, including one with early years teacher status, one with early years professional status and one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.15am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It follows the Reggio Emilia approach to learning.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The manager and trainee manager led the inspector on a learning walk and told her what they wanted the children to learn at the nursery. The manager and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity together. n The manager, trainee manager and the inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the provider, manager, trainee manager and staff throughout the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, including qualifications and first-aid certificates, and checked evidence of the suitability of those working with children. n The inspector took account of parents spoken to on the day. She also spoke to

p.5

Inspection activities

children about their experiences in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6