Antrobus Pre-School Nursery

Inspection of Antrobus Pre-School Nursery Frandley Meeting House, Sandiway Lane, Northwich CW9 6LD

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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 Met

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The provision is good

Children confidently come into this small nursery after being dropped off at the gate by their parents. The cosy domestic-sized building is a home from home. Children are organised into three groups according to their age and ability, and share two main playrooms. Young babies have a dedicated space, which is divided from the other play areas. Parents like this arrangement as it allows their babies, who were born during periods of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to have a greater range of social interactions. Older babies are able to watch, learn and join in with their toddler friends. Pre-school children show empathy and care towards the babies and toddlers. Staff are very mindful of the risks the mixing of age groups may present. They take additional precautions and provide the correct level of supervision to ensure children's safety.

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The provision is good

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the managers developed a woodland classroom adjacent to the building. This enables staff to cater for more outdoor learning in the fresh air. Encouraging outdoor play has now become even more of a key part of the nursery's ethos. Children spend a considerable amount of time in the carefully organised, easily accessible all weather outdoor play space and the woodland area. They are encouraged to safely take calculated risks. For example, they skilfully climb on the low tree branches and walk along balancing beams. The outdoor curriculum is effectively designed to introduce children to new concepts and develop their self-confidence. For example, children are encouraged to care for the chickens and guinea pigs, and carefully collect eggs that they later eat.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, all members of the partnership that runs the nursery have changed. The partners manage the setting and are responsible for all aspects of the provision. They are totally committed to the nursery and have a clear vision for how they want it to operate. Their ethos is shared effectively with all the staff. n The managers work with staff, helping them through coaching and mentoring to aim for excellence. They encourage staff to reflect on their practice and make plans about how they can continue to improve. Staff are supported to undertake a wide range of training opportunities linked to their specific work and responsibilities. For example, some staff undertake training about working with babies, and others on how to safely manage risky play. n The staff plan activities which respond to children's immediate interests. They combine this with activities that introduce children to new information to

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need to do better?

broaden their horizons. Staff regularly assess children's abilities. They use what they learn from these assessments to plan good, targeted teaching, which supports children's development. The managers are aware that, at times, staff

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need to do better?

15 March 2022 could provide opportunities that stretch children's development even further. n Children enjoy stories and song times, which staff use to build children's communication skills. Babies join in with action songs. They find the props in the bag of animals, which relate to the song they are singing. Older children recall and act out the story of the 'Three Billy Goats Gruff' as they build a bridge to cross the 'river'. Staff also use stories as a starting point to encourage children to solve problems. For example, the 'Three little pigs' story leads children to work out how to construct a house of sticks in the woodland area. n Children behave well. They understand the routine of the day and the simple rules, such as using 'kind hands'. Staff use activities to actively teach children how to cooperate and play together. Children and adults show respect for each other. Children are supported to become increasingly independent. They are

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need to do better?

very physically able and are taught how to safely manage risks. n Parents described the atmosphere in the nursery as 'magical'. They feel their children are loved. Parents appreciate the information they receive via the online system. They are given help and advice on how they can manage issues at home, such as sleep and behaviour problems. All understand what their child is learning at nursery and are given advice on how to extend this at home. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Where children need assessments, this is organised to ensure educational plans are in place and any extra funding is accessed before children start school. Children with complex medical needs are welcomed and any additional care needs are clearly understood by staff. Parents feel confident that their children are safe and well cared for.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and staff recognise their individual responsibility to keep children safe and what would constitute a safeguarding concern. The managers deploy staff effectively to ensure that appropriate child-to-adult ratios are maintained. Most staff have first-aid training. One staff member has undertaken fire warden training and many have completed food hygiene training. This supports their understanding of how to keep children safe and what to do in an emergency.

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should:

n continue to support staff in the implementation of the overarching learning intentions throughout the day, to drive maximum development in the children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479075 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10226655 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 21 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Antrobus Pre-School Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01606892323 Date of previous inspection 15 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Antrobus Pre-School Nursery registered in 2014. It operates from a former school house in Frandley, Cheshire. The nursery opens five days a week from 7.45am until 5.30pm for 49 weeks a year. The nursery has 10 members of childcare staff, including the two owner/managers. Of these, six hold early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds qualified teacher status and early years professional status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided. She assessed the impact these activities had on children's learning. She completed a learning walk with the managers to discuss how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n One of the nursery managers and the inspector completed a joint observation of an adult-led learning activity. They discussed how the teaching observed extended children's understanding and linked into the learning intentions for the children. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery managers. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n A number of parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection and the

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Inspection activities

inspector read the emails that parents had sent in. The inspector took account of their views. n Staff and children were spoken to by the inspector during the inspection. Staff explained how they worked with individual children and what they liked about working in this setting.

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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

15 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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