Ashdown Day Nursery

Inspection of Ashdown Day Nursery Little Oaks, Tomtits Lane, Forest Row, Sussex RH18 5AT

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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 greeted by gentle, kind and loving staff. They settle quickly and are soon playing with favourite activities, such as reading books, playing musical instruments, or building train tracks. Children appear to thrive in the delightful, calm and homely environment. They build strong relationships with staff, who support them to become confident and independent learners.

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The provision is good

Children and babies spend lots of time outside. They regularly explore the nearby fields and woodlands. Children learn and recall words to describe the world around them, including the changes in the seasons. For instance, babies point and say 'acorn', while older children know they have collected 'beech' leaves on their walk. Children learn how to respect and understand the needs of others. Staff act as very good role models for children's positive behaviour. They skilfully guide children to see things from another's point of view. They are quick to meet the emotional and physical needs of babies before they become distressed or overtired.

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The provision is good

Children are imaginative and eager to explore. They become deeply involved in their play. They focus their attention on tasks without becoming distracted. Children develop their self-confidence as they learn to be more independent. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, gain the skills they need to become resilient and motivated learners for the future.

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need to do better?

n Leadership is strong and effective. The distinct character of the nursery has been maintained, despite necessary restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, staff continued to support children's learning by sharing stories and songs online. They regularly evaluate and review their practice with staff and parents. n The curriculum is well planned and sequenced by staff, who know the children well. They provide children with a broad range of activities, planned around the 'rhythms of the year'. They develop unique experiences to extend what children know and can do. Staff take swift and effective action to support any children who might be falling behind in their learning. Leaders use any additional funding for children effectively. n Children's communication and language skills are very well supported. Staff interactions with children are of a consistently high quality. Children have time to

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need to do better?

listen and think during conversations. Babies use words to communicate their needs, such as saying 'more' at mealtimes. Children who speak English as an additional language have opportunities to use their home language during their play. n Children develop a strong love of books as they listen to familiar stories and

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need to do better?

25 October 2021 poems. Staff create cosy areas where children happily relax with favourite books. Staff read with enthusiasm, allowing children to ask questions and join in with phrases and words. Babies point to and name familiar objects they see in pictures. n Exciting and stimulating resources provide children with opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children dig enthusiastically in the sand and the mud. Older children challenge their balance and climbing skills as they clamber over logs and tyres. Staff encourage children to move in different ways, such as going on tiptoe or marching when they go out for a walk. Babies have space to develop their muscles when they roll, crawl, and pull themselves up to stand. Children enjoy healthy, balanced meals together, which is an enjoyable and social time for them. n There is a strong focus on children developing their problem-solving skills, such

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need to do better?

as building towers or posting shapes in a shape sorter. However, staff do not consistently recognise children's growing awareness of mathematics in their environment. They often miss chances to extend children's mathematical vocabulary while they play. n Children make good friendships. Staff encourage them to share their interests and to accept one another's needs. For instance, children love to hear how their friend plays her musical instrument. They are polite and respectful. Staff are calm and reassuring, which supports children to regulate their emotions. n Parents praise the care their children receive. Staff keep parents informed about their children's learning on an online journal and by speaking with them every day. Parents comment on the lovely relationships children have made with staff. n Leaders provide regular training, supervision and feedback to staff. Staff well- being and professional development is important to them. Staff feel respected

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need to do better?

and supported in the nursery. They enjoy working in the welcoming environment and fully embrace the vision and ethos of the leaders.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders create a safe and secure environment for all children. Staff are well trained to recognise the signs of abuse and know what to do if they have concerns about the welfare and safety of children. There are policies in place to ensure the timely sharing of records with other professionals when required. Robust recruitment procedures ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Staff understand wider safeguarding issues within their community and society. For instance, they know what to do if they are concerned about children's exposure to extreme views. They help children learn about keeping themselves safe in meaningful ways. For example, as children spend a lot of time outside, they learn not to pick berries by themselves.

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should:

n support staff to deliver the mathematics curriculum more effectively, to further enhance children's understanding of numbers, counting and mathematical concepts.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2532408 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10210626 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 26 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Little People Care And Development Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01342 824455 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ashdown Day Nursery registered in 2019. It is situated in Forest Row, East Grinstead. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 7pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 13 members of staff, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery receives funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

25 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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