Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon

Inspection of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Maldon Highlands Drive, Maldon, Essex CM9 6HY

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happily and are welcomed enthusiastically by friendly staff. Children develop close relationships with staff, who know them well. Children make their own play choices from a good range of well-presented resources. Children are polite and behave well. They play together cooperatively and share the resources. Children develop good social skills and happily chat to each other, staff and visitors.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are inquisitive and curious. For example, they carefully fill different containers with sand, testing different utensils to consider which ones work better. They look intently at the shells they find in the sand and discuss the different colours and textures with staff. Children extend their own play and show good imagination. For example, they mix mud and water together until they are happy it looks like a 'cake mixture'. They say, 'we can pretend this is our oven,' pointing to a small table.

p.2

The provision is good

Children say they enjoy playing outside. They develop their physical skills as they push themselves along on the bicycles and scooters, showing good control. Children learn about nature and the environment. For example, they are keen to show visitors the sunflowers they planted from seeds and talk about the strawberries they grew and ate. Children water the plants and say, 'they need a drink'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The dedicated and passionate manager demonstrates a high-quality vision for the nursery. She shares her vision with the staff team, which welcomes and praises her new initiatives. Staff morale is very high. Staff feel their well-being is given a high priority and say they are supported well in their roles. As a result, there is a very positive and happy atmosphere throughout the nursery. n Staff have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn. They plan purposeful learning to challenge and promote each child's learning. Staff provide opportunities for children to practise and develop their knowledge and skills. Children's progress is carefully monitored and reviewed by the manager. As a result, children develop good knowledge and skills in all areas and are ready for the next stage in their learning. n The manager monitors the quality of teaching and promotes staff's professional development. Some aspects of teaching are outstanding. For example, staff use

p.2

need to do better?

effective strategies to challenge children to think for themselves, such as giving children different choices to consider and testing out different ideas. However, during some group activities, staff do not always implement effective strategies to sustain children's engagement. As a result, some children lose interest and miss out on their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

26 July 2022 n Staff talk to children constantly throughout the day. They show a genuine interest in what children have to say and give children time to consider their answers. Staff introduce new words during activities and discussions and children have good recall. For example, children confidently name body parts such as 'skull', 'ribs', 'triceps' and 'glutes'. Staff expand their vocabulary further by talking about 'calcium'. As a result, children develop good language skills. n Staff provide a variety of opportunities for children to develop their knowledge of mathematics. For example, children enjoy creating pictures and patterns by drawing around brightly coloured shapes. Children demonstrate good knowledge. For example, they name simple shapes and say they have made a square by putting two rectangles together. n Parents are very complimentary about the nursery. They say staff are friendly and approachable. Parents say they are well informed about their children's

p.2

need to do better?

learning and how they can support this further at home. They value the daily feedback from staff when they collect their children. Parents comment that children 'learn so much and make good progress at the nursery.' n Staff promote children's independence and children are familiar with good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before eating. They learn about their local community and celebrate some festivals. However, staff do not consistently support children to develop further knowledge about different cultures, festivals and celebrations that are important to them and their friends at the nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All members of staff are confident in identifying the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They have a thorough understanding of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's well-being or the conduct of a colleague. Staff complete training and have regular discussions to ensure their knowledge of safeguarding issues remains secure and up to date. Recruitment and vetting procedures are rigorous. An extensive induction programme and ongoing supervision ensures all adults are suitable to work with children.

p.3

should:

n review the teaching of group activities more closely and implement effective strategies to extend children's engagement and raise the quality of teaching to the highest level at all times n expand children's knowledge and understanding of different communities further and support them in learning about the different cultures, festivals and celebrations that are important to them and their friends.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2530287 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10208439 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person Just Imagine Nurseries - All Saints Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01621 850660 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Just Imagine Day Nursery – Maldon registered in 2019 and is run by a limited company. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, four staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Opening times are from 7am until 7pm. 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 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 talked to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children and carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed 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

26 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