Focus Nursery School

Inspection of Focus Nursery School Focus Nursery School, Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4PH

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children have positive relationships with staff and their friends. They play cooperatively. Younger children learn to take turns when staff ask them at group times to find their names on a board. Older children are keen to take part and are confident to stand up in front of others to identify their name.

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The provision is good

Children show a willingness to help staff. For instance, when routines of the day change, children thrive on the responsibility of helping to tidy up and wash the dishes. Children receive support from staff to learn new skills, such as how to use scissors. They listen and follow instructions when staff ask them to open and shut the scissors.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate their natural curiosity as they explore flour and water during sensory play. They manipulate their fingers, whisks and spoons to mix the ingredients together. Children develop their smaller hand muscles in preparation for writing.

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The provision is good

Although parents do not currently come into the setting, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff greet each child individually at the door and share information with parents verbally and through an app. This helps to ensure that parents feel fully involved in their children's learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager has secure knowledge and intentions of what she wants children to learn and achieve. She strives to provide children with the skills they need to flourish in their lives. Staff give children choices throughout the day and respect their wishes. They intend for children to build their vocabulary. For example, when children take an interest in pirates, staff introduce words such as 'canons', 'sails', 'engines' and 'anchor'. n The manager prioritises the development of children's communication skills. The management team regularly introduces new initiatives which have a positive impact to help develop children's talking skills. Staff identify any speech and language concerns they may have about children and intervene effectively. n Children enjoy stories. Staff read books with good expression. Parents develop a secure understanding of the importance of books in their children's learning. Children can take books home to share with their parents in book bags provided

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need to do better?

by the setting. n Children are often encouraged to be independent. They learn to put their own coats on. At snack times, older children serve themselves confidently. Staff teach children how to use the cutlery consistently. Children spread butter on toast and chop their own banana and cucumber.

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need to do better?

11 March 2022 n Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. They take part in physical activities both indoors and outdoors. For instance, children enjoy balancing on wooden beams, splashing in puddles and dancing to music as part of their daily activities. n The manager and the deputy manager value the contribution of all their staff. They are enthusiastic and highly motivated. Some of the staff are relatively new and still developing their teaching skills. Senior staff lead by example and support the less experienced staff's professional development well. However, at times, staff do not challenge children sufficiently, especially the most able, to help them make the rapid progress they are capable of. Sometimes staff do not ask questions that help children to develop their critical thinking skills and extend their learning further. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. Staff work hard to

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need to do better?

ensure that communication with parents has not been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents speak very highly of the staff and the manager. They comment that the 'nursery is fantastic at keeping parents up to date' and that their children 'are prepared for school'. n Staff build good relationships with other settings that the children attend. They exchange information regularly, to provide continuity in care and learning. A childminder comments that they have a 'fantastic working relationship'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team and staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe. They know the procedures to follow should they have concerns about children or a member of staff. Staff attend regular training to ensure their safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date. Important safeguarding information is displayed clearly in the setting for staff to use if necessary. Recruitment procedures are robust to ensure all staff working at the nursery are suitable. The premises are safe and secure. Daily checks are completed in the nursery to ensure there are no hazards.

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should:

n support staff to ask questions consistently that encourage children to think and discuss their ideas and understanding, to extend their learning further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY309109 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10125956 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 18 Number of children on roll 16

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Name of registered person

Miss Linda Burgess & Mr Daniel Albin Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01929 555135 Date of previous inspection 21 November 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Focus Nursery School has been registered under the current management since 2005. It is a privately owned nursery providing full day care. The nursery operates in Wareham, Dorset. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, during school term time. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. One of the owners is the manager and is supported by a deputy manager and a team of three other staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 4 and two hold qualifications at level 3.

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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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n Parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection. The inspector viewed written feedback through parent questionnaires. n The inspector observed the staff's interactions with the children indoors and outdoors to assess the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery and training.

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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

11 March 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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