The Country Mouse Nursery

Inspection of The Country Mouse Nursery Masonic Hall, Bepton Road, Midhurst, Sussex GU29 9HH

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 are happy and enjoy the time they spend in this warm and friendly nursery. All children, including those who are new, settle quickly. The small staff team knows the children well and creates a family feel to the nursery. Children have strong emotional attachments to the caring staff, who cuddle and comfort them as and when needed. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children's behaviour is good. Staff act as positive role models and they have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children are spoken to in a calm and respectful manner and they are praised often. This helps to boost children's self- esteem. Children are kind and polite to staff and each other. For example, they say 'please' and 'thank you', play cooperatively and demonstrate positive behaviours, such as being kind, sharing and taking turns.

p.2

The provision is good

Children make good progress in their development, including those in receipt of additional funding. They show a positive attitude to learning and are eager to join in with the activities. For example, babies show high levels of engagement and enjoyment during an outdoor water play activity with staff. They smile, babble, splash and move their bodies with excitement. Babies learn to scoop, pour and transfer water and giggle as they work on their control and coordination skills. Pre- school children concentrate fully and use language such as 'heavier' and 'lighter' as they use scales to weigh and measure different items. All children are keen to show what they know and can do.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager develops an inclusive curriculum that incorporates children's interests when planning activities. She is clear about what she wants children to learn. This includes the key skills that children need in preparation for school, such as being able to communicate clearly. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to provide additional support for children who need it. n Children's language is developing well. Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children's early communication and language skills by modelling and extending children's language while they play. For example, staff in the baby room gently repeat and pronounce words correctly and introduce new vocabulary to children. Older children enthusiastically join in with stories and songs and have lots of conversations with adults and other children. n Staff provide a variety of challenging equipment to support children's small

p.2

need to do better?

physical skills in readiness for early writing. For example, younger children use large plastic tweezers to pick up small objects. Older children make 'potions' and use a concoction of water, feathers, herbs, soil and stones and a range of utensils to mix and transport the mixture to different places. n Children understand and follow the rules and routines in nursery. However, on

p.2

need to do better?

15 February 2022 occasion, staff do not fully support children's individual needs during routine transition periods such as nappy changing, mealtimes and nap times. This means that, at times, some children become disengaged and restless. n Parents praise the nursery and the positive impact it has had on their children's development. They comment that their children have made good progress and have settled well into the nursery. n Staff encourage healthy lifestyles across the nursery. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them and to enjoy fresh air and exercise outdoors. They exercise their large muscles as they confidently learn to climb, run and balance in the outdoor area. Recently, staff introduced yoga sessions. They teach children about different breathing techniques. This helps to promote children's mental well-being. n The manager is passionate about her role and is knowledgeable and dedicated.

p.2

need to do better?

She has a clear vision for the nursery and understands the importance of quality care. Staff report that they feel happy and supported in their roles. n The manager provides some feedback for staff to help them to improve their practice. However, feedback is not always specific enough to help individual staff improve their skills and knowledge further. Consequently, there are some variations in the quality of education across the nursery. For instance, not all staff are clear about the learning intentions of activities to ensure they support children's learning even further. This means that, at times, some children are not fully challenged.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a sound knowledge of how to ensure that children are kept safe. They can identify the signs and symptoms which may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know who to contact if they have concerns about a child's safety and welfare. They are supported through training on various aspects of safeguarding at induction, through additional training and staff meetings. Rigorous recruitment procedures are in place for all staff. Staff complete thorough risk assessments to help ensure that the areas of the premises children access and trips off site are safe and suitable.

p.3

should:

n consider how to support children effectively during routine transitions to ensure that they do not become restless and disengaged n provide staff with more sharply focused feedback and professional development opportunities to help them to improve their skills and knowledge even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2526055 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10208275 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person The Country Mouse Nursery Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01730813422 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Country Mouse Nursery registered in 2019. It is open Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs seven childcare staff. Of these, five staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector undertook a learning walk, where the planned learning behind the educational programmes on offer was discussed. n At suitable times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to staff, parents and children and took their views into account. n The inspector and the manager observed interactions between adults and children. They discussed the learning that took place. n The manager and her staff explained their role in safeguarding children to the inspector. n The inspector viewed a range of documents relating to safeguarding, suitability of staff and record-keeping.

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

15 February 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.

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