Archway Nursery School

Inspection of Archway Nursery & Pre- school Hyde Farm, Pimperne, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8TX

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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 settled and content at the nursery and respond happily to the friendly, caring staff. Children interact easily with their friends and learn from a young age about sharing with others in their play. They readily help staff with practical tasks, such as setting out the glasses, plates and cups for the lunch tables. Staff provide a curriculum that gives clear focus to children's interests and helps them make good progress. Children develop their understanding of the world effectively. For example, toddlers watch a spider crawling up a wall with fascination. Pre-school children talk with a visitor about a grass snake and look at the differences between a toad and a frog. They talk about creatures that live under the sea and show interest in the hammer head shark and octopus that they see in a book. Children use their imaginations well in their play. Pre-school children like to make a pretend

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The provision is good

meal for their friends and tuck their dolls into a toy highchair. Babies become absorbed exploring a cornflour mixture and show delight when finding toy penguins hidden in it. Pre-school children like to dig in the outdoor mud pit and find 'dinosaur bones' or 'buried treasure'. Toddlers concentrate well while searching for toy insects and proudly show the 'green grasshopper' that they have found. Parents say they feel reassured by the procedures that staff have implemented to keep their children safe following the COVID-19 pandemic. Children know the routine of washing their hands on arrival and learn how to cough into their elbow to prevent any germs spreading.

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need to do better?

n The management team supports staff professional development well. Following training, staff use a simple sign language to promote inclusion. In addition, staff have raised their awareness of heuristic play, which has helped them encourage children's learning more effectively through exploration and investigation of natural resources. n Staff are consistent in using praise and encouragement effectively to support children's good behaviour. Children use good manners readily. For example, they politely ask a friend, 'Please could I have that bag?'. n Children develop their physical skills well. Babies enjoy pushing their ride on trikes around and playing chase with the staff. Toddlers hold staff's hands as they walk carefully across a wooden plank, in and out of a tyre and onto and off a crate. They then gain the confidence to attempt this independently. Pre-school children show confidence in climbing and moving around a wooded area.

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need to do better?

Children enjoy practising simple yoga movements with staff. n Parents speak highly of staff and the care provided for their child. They say staff get to know and support their children's needs very well and act on any potential developmental issues promptly. Staff share information with parents about their children's development. However, they do not always liaise effectively with other

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need to do better?

12 January 2022 providers that children attend, to fully promote continuity in meeting their needs. n Staff encourage children's communication and language very well, for example through discussion and use of open-ended questions to help them think. Children develop the language to describe their ideas. For example, when outdoors in frosty weather they say, 'There is smoke coming out of my mouth'. n Children enjoy a varied, well-balanced range of meals at the nursery. Staff encourage them to try different foods and flavours. They talk with children about foods which are healthy and help their teeth grow strong. Children practise brushing teeth on a model of a large mouth. n Staff encourage children to problem-solve and work together in play. For example, children help each other lift branches and sticks and balance them to make a den. However, at times, children are not all motivated and engaged well within group activities.

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need to do better?

n Children like listening to staff read their favourite stories. They concentrate well to identify the different sounds that they hear, such as those of a frog, an owl and a woodpecker.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff complete safeguarding training and have an appropriate awareness of signs and symptoms that may indicate potential concerns about a child. There are detailed safeguarding policies and procedures in place to help staff protect children's welfare. The management team follows clear staff recruitment procedures and continues to assess and support staff suitability, for example through an induction and supervision process. The management team has risk assessment procedures in place to help minimise accidents. For example, the outdoor play areas are checked to ensure that children do not use areas where surfaces may be icy.

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should:

n strengthen the systems for sharing information with other providers that children attend, to provide a consistent approach for their learning and development n review the organisation of group activities to fully engage all children and motivate their learning more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY559728 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10190574 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 82 Number of children on roll 84 Name of registered person Archway Nursery Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 01258 454602 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Archway Nursery & Pre-school re-registered in 2018 and was originally registered in 2006. It is located on the outskirts of Blandford Forum, Dorset and opens Monday to Friday from 7.45am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 22 staff employed. Of these, one holds early years professional status, one holds a qualification at level 4, 10 hold a qualification at level 3 and five hold a qualification at level 2.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Mary Daniel Michelle Heimsoth

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Inspection activities

n This was the first inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact on the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the graduate lead took the inspector on a tour of the premises and explained how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector and the graduate lead completed a joint observation of an activity and discussed the quality of teaching. n The inspectors observed children's interactions in play indoors and outdoors, and discussed their learning and development with staff. n The inspector took into account the spoken and written views of parents. n A meeting was held with the management team.

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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

12 January 2022 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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