Oakmere Children's Nursery

Inspection of Oakmere Children's Nursery Oakmere Childrens Nursery, Workshop 7, Blakemere Village, Chester Road, Sandiway, NORTHWICH, Cheshire CW8 2EB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel secure and at home in this well-established nursery. They move confidently between activities. Children readily seek the support and attention of the friendly staff. Children of all ages are encouraged to draw. They learn that the marks they make are important and that their ideas will be valued. This promotes children's small-muscle development and their self- esteem. Pre-school children listen to stories. They then talk about the main parts and draw pictures to represent these. Staff sensitively add children's own words to the pictures. Discussions about the books help children to remember and understand the story. Children learn that books are interesting and informative. This prepares them well for early reading.

p.2

The provision is good

The atmosphere in the nursery is busy and purposeful. Children are supported to follow the nursery rule about being kind to other people. They begin to understand their own emotions and those of other people. Managers changed the arrival and departure routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents and carers now drop off and collect children from staff at the nursery entrance. Staff ensure that parents are involved and informed about their children's time in nursery. They speak with parents every day. Staff upload photos of children onto the nursery app. They write details of children's care routines into a notebook for parents. This promotes continuity in children's care and learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers have established a positive and harmonious nursery. This helps them to retain a staff team that is highly qualified and experienced. Staff communicate well with each other. This is particularly helpful when children transfer between rooms as they grow. Parents report that children are supported well and settle quickly into their new rooms. n Managers have an annual development plan in place. They have identified that children would benefit from the use of sign language to further support their speech and language development. However, this has not yet been fully embedded in staff training and practice. n Staff help children to feel part of the local and wider community. They take children on walks around the environment. For example, children visit the birds of prey centre. They talk to the falconry team and learn about different birds. Children take part in activities to raise money for the work of local and overseas

p.2

need to do better?

charities. This helps them to think and care about other people. n Children play and learn outdoors for extended periods. This encourages them to become deeply engaged in ideas and projects of their own choosing. This is demonstrated really well in the 'construction site'. Children apply and extend their knowledge of the world when they try out different tools and equipment.

p.2

need to do better?

8 July 2022 They develop strength and balance when they determinedly push the long- handled spade across the floor to collect the bark chippings. n Children eat nutritious, healthy food at nursery. They talk with obvious anticipation about lunch and say that the hotpot will help them to have strong bones. Children grow and eat food, such as strawberries and potatoes. This helps them to learn where food comes from. They find out that fresh food is seasonal and that growing it requires effort, time and care. n Generally, children learn the different meanings of words well. Staff support younger children by matching words to their actions. However, not all staff apply this consistently across the nursery. Therefore, some children are not extending their vocabulary to the highest level. n Staff support parents to continue children's learning at home. For example, children borrow books from the nursery library. Parents and children share with

p.2

need to do better?

staff what they liked about the stories. Their feedback helps staff to learn even more about children's individual preferences and interests. Participation in the library supports children to form their own opinions. Children are becoming discerning readers.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers keep their knowledge of local safeguarding procedures up to date. They ensure that staff understand the nursery's safeguarding policy and know what to do if they are concerned about the welfare of children in their care. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of the types of abuse that children may be subject to. They give children and parents appropriate information about internet safety. This helps everyone to be vigilant. Children are supervised well at all times. Staff carefully follow hygiene routines. This helps to minimise the risk of infections spreading. Managers and staff maintain required records, such as written accounts of incidents and injuries. This helps to ensure that children's welfare is promoted.

p.3

should:

n tailor staff training to focus more sharply on the areas for improvement identified in the setting's annual development plan n support staff to consistently help children extend their growing vocabulary by modelling words that represent actions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY419728 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10129202 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Cassell Children's Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01606889336 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Oakmere Children's Nursery registered in 2011. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 members of staff hold qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 4. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status and one holds early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 completed a learning walk of the nursery. They discussed the provider's intentions for the curriculum. n The inspector and the manager carried out joint observations of two activities. The inspector held meetings with the provider and the manager as appropriate throughout the day. n The inspector observed activities and routines. She spoke with children and staff. n Parents spoke with the inspector. The inspector took account of their views. n Examples of relevant documentation were sampled and reviewed by the inspector. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

8 July 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6