Jesters Nursery Childcare

Inspection of Jesters Nursery Childcare Horseshoe Farm, Main Road, Bicknacre, Chelmsford CM3 4EX

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are at the centre of practice at this inspiring nursery. Following periods of absence, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children's emotional needs have been prioritised on their return to the nursery. Staff continue to recognise that children may still need sensitive reassurance to build their confidence and feel secure. This approach underpins all their interactions.

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The provision is outstanding

The environment is carefully organised to be rich in possibilities for children to explore and be curious. They are engaged and engrossed, and they enthusiastically share what they have learned. For example, older children eagerly show the inspector what honeycomb looks like through a magnifying glass and remember that it comes from bees.

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The provision is outstanding

All children display high levels of independence. They are encouraged to make choices, which ensures that their voices are heard and respected. Babies point to the bib they want to wear, and toddlers persevere when trying to dress a doll. They are determined to do it by themselves and smile at their achievements.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's curiosity develops even further when outdoors in all weathers. They use their mathematical knowledge and vocabulary in a practical way as they confidently jump in muddy puddles. For example, they talk expressively about who makes the 'biggest' splash and which splash goes the 'highest'. This helps them to appreciate how mathematics fits into the real world. Babies learn the effects of the rain on play dough. Words such as 'squelchy' and 'sticky' cement their understanding and provide interesting new vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The highly dedicated members of the leadership team work extremely well together and are committed to creating an environment where staff and children feel exceptionally valued. They have successfully established a nursery where children's needs are prioritised while still ensuring that staff feel supported. This results in staff taking pride in their work and being continually motivated to raise the quality of their teaching even higher. n Staff expertly extend each child's thinking, which ignites their spark to learn more. For instance, older children are fascinated to explore with magnets around the room. They are deeply engaged in testing which objects are made of metal. Staff respond by providing suggestions and encouragement, which builds on children's existing enthusiasm to discover new ideas. Children excitedly show their friends what they have discovered and encourage others to keep looking.

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need to do better?

They hear and begin to use new words, such as 'attract' and 'magnetic'. n The firmly embedded key-person approach helps to establish an excellent

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need to do better?

20 May 2022 foundation for children to feel secure and nurtured. Whenever possible, the child's key person will greet them on arrival and take responsibility for their care needs. This helps to contribute to an extremely positive start to each child's day. Special bonding times are personalised, such as nappy changing. This builds on the already strong connection between children and their key person. n The outdoor area provides an inviting, safe environment where children hugely benefit from exploring a wide range of attention-grabbing natural materials and resources. Children negotiate together to work out the best way to angle the guttering so that the water will pour into the tray, and they celebrate as they challenge themselves on the climbing wall. n Children thoroughly enjoy the freedom to choose whether to play indoors or outside. They competently find their own rain suits and wellies and are

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need to do better?

encouraged to try to put these on themselves. This equips them with meaningful self-help skills. Staff use their initiative to provide appropriate levels of supervision at all times. n Key persons know their key children exceptionally well. They clearly demonstrate how they focus and adapt their teaching to promote children's learning and development. They expertly recognise where children need extra support. Parents are actively involved and are informed how they can complement their children's learning at home. This contributes to all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, making rapid progress. n Parents speak incredibly warmly of the nursery and recommend it to their friends. They are extremely pleased with the progress their children make and appreciate receiving ideas about how they can support their children's learning. They are reassured by the excellent relationship their children have with their

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need to do better?

key person. n The staff team works exceedingly well to forge effective working relationships with schools the children are due to attend. Staff have taken on board the teacher's suggestions to prepare children for their next stage of learning. For example, mini physical education lessons have been introduced to help children get used to changing their clothes by themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are well trained to spot the signs and symptoms of abuse. As a small nursery, leaders and staff get to know the children and their families well. This helps them to be equipped to speedily identify any child protection issues. Staff clearly understand the actions to take to record and report any safeguarding concerns. They are confident to take matters further if they feel these need to be escalated. Accident and attendance records are accurately maintained and analysed to underpin safeguarding practices. Recruitment is carried out effectively, which helps to ensure that staff are suitable to carry out their role.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551415 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174131 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 36 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Jesters Nursery Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01245 222865 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Jesters Nursery Childcare registered in 2017. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 3, and two hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outside. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection, and parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The manager showed the inspector required documents, including evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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

20 May 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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