The Nursery

Inspection of The Nursery 8-10 Combe Road, Bristol BS20 6BJ

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are safe, happy and thrive at this welcoming nursery. They are highly confident and independent learners, who acquire the skills to be resilient from a young age. The dedicated staff team work tirelessly to ensure all children get the best possible start.

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The provision is outstanding

The highly skilled and qualified staff recognise that children learn at different rates. They offer well planned and focused teaching opportunities to ensure children reach their full learning potential. For instance, during the inspection, children demonstrated strong imaginative and physical skills as they engrossed themselves in drama and ballet classes led by professionals.

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The provision is outstanding

Children benefit from a rich-language environment, including high-quality interactions with staff. Children who speak multiple languages receive tailored support from bilingual staff, who engage in meaningful discussions in Italian and French. Children are happy to hear their home language and staff are successful in fostering children's sense of identity.

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The provision is outstanding

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff remained in regular contact with children and their families. For example, staff created personalised home-learning bags for pre- school children, consisting of books, activities and resources, which they hand delivered in the nursery's mini-bus. Despite the nursery closing for two months, children enjoyed engaging in live online activities with staff, such as making play dough.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff get to know all children from the outset through a tailored settling-in programme. They recognise the importance of babies and young children building secure attachments with staff and have embedded a strong key-person system. Each child has a primary and secondary key person to ensure continuity in care, such as during staff absences. n Leaders have designed an inclusive curriculum. They offer extensive opportunities for children to embed new learning as well as revisit prior knowledge. During the inspection, children extended their interest in a story book about dinosaurs and volcanoes. They skilfully used pipettes to gather vinegar, which they squeezed into a large tray of baking soda, before adding food colouring. They watched with awe as the mixture began to change and bubble. Children used descriptive language, such as 'fizzy' and 'sticky', and staff skilfully questioned them to challenge their thinking.

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need to do better?

n Staff ensure children are equipped with the skills they need to start school. For instance, the nursery follows a phonics programme as well as an early reading

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need to do better?

21 April 2022 scheme, which is similar to local schools. Staff initially introduce books without words to encourage children to explore the details and create their own narrative. Staff state that this has helped to build children's comprehension. n The nursery offers exceptional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). There is a dedicated staff team to coordinate the provision for SEND children. Following a detailed assessment of children's individual needs involving parents and external professionals, staff devise personalised learning plans. Children with SEND receive high-quality intervention and benefit from working in small groups, such as in the dedicated teaching room. n Children show exemplary behaviour. They are kind and considerate to other children and always respectful towards adults. Staff use a range of techniques to help children manage their feelings. For example, the nursery owner has

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need to do better?

introduced a highly trained therapy dog who the children adore. Staff have observed that when stroking the dog and spending quality time together, children appear less anxious and this has helped to reduce their stress levels. n Staff work hard to create strong partnerships between home and nursery. Parents receive regular updates about their children's progress, including through an online learning portal. Parents are highly complimentary about the quality of care their children receive. They comment about the enriching and nurturing experiences available for their children as well as the attention to detail by staff to share information. n The nursery has a strong leadership team. Staff are very pleased with the ongoing support they receive through regular supervision meetings. Leaders promote a work-life balance and have invested in staff's well-being following the pandemic. For example, they offer free 'mindfulness' sessions as well as access

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need to do better?

to counselling services. There is also a dedicated well-being officer on site to support staff, if needed. Leaders value the highly skilled workforce and are committed to ensuring that all staff receive tailored opportunities for continued professional development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is a strong safeguarding culture at the nursery. Leaders implement a thorough recruitment process to ensure all new staff undergo vigorous suitability checks and continue to remain suitable. Staff complete a detailed induction programme, including familiarising themselves with the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of all categories of abuse and how to recognise the signs. They are knowledgeable about the procedures for recording and reporting any welfare concerns. Staff provide a safe and secure environment for children to explore while encouraging them to experience risks and challenges in their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484777 Local authority North Somerset Inspection number 10126048 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 127 Number of children on roll 127 Name of registered person The Nursery Specialist Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01275 402140 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Nursery registered in 2015 and is situated in Portishead, North Somerset. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 7pm, all year round except for bank holidays. The nursery is in receipt of funding for free early education for children aged two, three, and four years. The nursery employs 38 members of staff. Of these, three hold qualified teacher status, one is qualified at level 5, 16 staff hold relevant qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 3, and 15 staff are unqualified.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of a planned activity in the rising three's room. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. 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

21 April 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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