The Old School House Nursery School

Inspection of The Old School House Nursery School Benty Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 5NF

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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 are very happy and engaged in this warm and welcoming nursery. Babies and children make a smooth start to their learning experiences and form strong bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff work closely with parents to thoroughly understand children's interests, needs and routines. They use the information well to plan carefully, overall, for children's progress in all aspects of their learning. Children are thoroughly prepared for their future learning, including starting school. For example, they learn to concentrate well in group and individual activities, such as musical tasks, to listen and follow instructions.

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The provision is good

Children feel safe. They behave very well. They learn to be polite and considerate towards their friends and those who care for them. Mealtimes are very sociable occasions. For instance, children learn to patiently serve themselves and chat to staff and each other. Staff help children to make considered decisions about their play and learning and to challenge themselves. For example, staff encourage children in their jumping and balancing activities to try hard and reach further.

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The provision is good

The manager and her staff have high expectations for every child to get the most from their time in the nursery. Parents are very appreciative of the nursery, particularly that it remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for vulnerable children and children of key workers and maintained good communication and support with families.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan carefully considered experiences to help children to make good progress overall. They make thorough use of information from parents to arrange activities that interest children and build on their skills and knowledge. However, occasionally, they do not fully challenge children. Staff do not consistently introduce children to a new and varied vocabulary by, for instance, questioning and example. n Staff strongly promote children's love of books. They teach children a wide range of nursery rhymes, traditional tales and songs. They carefully choose books that develop children's interests and language experiences. Staff read stories very well and bring them to life through, for example, role play. Children regularly take books home from the nursery's well-resourced library and reading scheme to share with their parents. n The well-qualified and very experienced manager, with strong support from

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need to do better?

senior staff, draws on the views of staff, parents and children to review, research and improve the provision. For example, staff are researching children's different learning styles. Staff morale is high, which is recognised in their recent Investors in People platinum award.

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need to do better?

4 May 2022 n Children develop good physical skills. They balance, jump and run on imaginative obstacle courses, which they create with planks, tyres and other objects. Staff help children to develop their small-muscle control by, for example, mixing and stirring substances in baking or sensory play in foam, sand, ice or cereals. This also supports children's mark-making and early writing skills. n Staff strongly support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They identify possible gaps in children's learning and development at an early stage. Staff, including the well-qualified special educational needs coordinator, work closely with other professionals, such as speech therapists and early help consultants, to plan for future learning. They liaise closely with schools children move on to, to ensure a smooth transition. n Staff encourage children's healthy lifestyle and well-being. Children play sorting

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need to do better?

activities to learn about healthy food and how to keep their teeth clean and healthy. They plant seeds and grow their own fruits and vegetables. They learn how to bake and understand the properties of mixing different ingredients. The nursery provides nutritious and tasty meals. Children learn to be well behaved and considerate. n Parents highly recommend the nursery. They appreciate staff's wide knowledge of children's learning and development and the guidance they offer. Although parents have not been able to access the classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic, they welcome the steps staff take to keep them involved and informed. For example, staff have used closed-circuit television to give new parents virtual tours of the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead ensures that staff update their safeguarding knowledge continually through training, discussion and staff meetings. Staff know the signs that indicate a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. They understand the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child's well-being. Staff have a good understanding of broader concerns, such as protecting children from extreme views. Staff are trained in first aid, including supporting good mental health.

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should:

n focus staff development on ensuring that all children are consistently challenged and supported to further enrich their vocabulary and deepen their understanding.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 300911 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10117577 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 123 Number of children on roll 212 Name of registered person Old School House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0114 2666930 Date of previous inspection 23 April 2014

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Information about this early years setting

The Old School House Nursery School registered in 1992 and is located in the Crosspool area of Sheffield. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two at level 6 with qualified teacher status. Twelve of the staff are on an apprenticeship scheme which is managed by the nursery. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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 nursery 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 nursery. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together to review children's learning experiences. n The manager and the inspector jointly observed children's activities. n The children talked to the inspector about their activities. n Discussions were held with senior leaders and members of staff. n The inspector discussed the management and organisation of the nursery with the manager. He reviewed relevant documents. n The inspector held discussions to seek the views of parents.

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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

4 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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