Ashcroft & Ramridge Community Nursery

Inspection of Ashcroft & Ramridge Community Nursery 186 Ashcroft Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 9AB

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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 relish their time in this vibrant nursery. They quickly become confident, inquisitive learners, competently determining their own play. For example, children decide to make vegetable soup. They ably chop the vegetables, explaining about the safe use of knives. They move on to make potions, working together to create a variety of colours. Staff offer additional challenge and children add colouring to water containing fresh flowers. Children are in awe as they note the petals changing colour, using their critical-thinking skills to work out why. They use the blue water to make a 'fish bowl', developing balance and control as they carefully carry this. They explore further as they fetch magnifying glasses to examine the fish. These experiences strongly support children in developing their skills for future learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff's high ambitions for children are reflected in children's positive attitudes and willingness to learn. For example, children talk about the work of police officers. They learn about DNA and experiment by taking their fingerprints, recognising that each is unique. Children are kind and caring. For instance, when children worry that they will not fit items into a suitcase, other children state 'don't worry, we'll help you'. Interesting activities support children in learning about healthy lifestyles. For example, children talk about oral hygiene and use string as dental floss, cleaning dough from model teeth. Staff understand the effects of national lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic and checked on the welfare of all children during these times.

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need to do better?

n Managers have exceptionally high standards and an uncompromising vision for the nursery. They share their passion with staff, motivating them to do the very best they can to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, access an inspirational curriculum. The manager's excellent knowledge of each child means that any additional funding is used highly effectively to support children. n Partnership working with other professionals is a key strength. Staff pay meticulous attention to the sharing of relevant information. This ensures that children receive consistent, highly pertinent support that aids them in making the best possible progress. Managers' comprehensive knowledge of the community their nursery serves enables them to offer sensitive, precisely tailored support to families. In turn, this significantly benefits children and

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need to do better?

means they feel included, empowered and valued. n Staff report that they thoroughly enjoy their work. The exceptional support they receive significantly contributes to their highly positive attitudes and interactions.

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need to do better?

16 August 2022 All staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the children and understand what each child needs to learn next. Their highly sensitive work ensures that all children make exceptional progress from their starting points. Meticulous monitoring procedures ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. n Staff fully appreciate the importance of children developing their communication skills. Babies and younger children competently use sign language to express their needs, such as when they cannot find a favourite toy. Staff talk clearly, repeating new words. Older children, including those who speak English as an additional language, develop excellent communication skills, showing their appreciation of language, for example, as they play with words and make simple jokes. n Children develop a love of books. They listen intently to stories, eagerly predicting the next part. They delight in using puppets, masks and props to

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need to do better?

retell stories. Children competently turn to reference books to check facts and discover new information. n Staff complete training that relates to children's current needs. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy a session where they name letters, competently sounding these out. They become engrossed, asking excitedly for more letters and objects. They relish the challenge when asked to sort objects according to their initial letter, patiently working together and celebrating as a group when they complete the task. Activities such as this successfully support children in developing early reading skills and help to close possible gaps in learning when they start school. n Children practise new learning and skills as they play. For instance, children talk about holidays. Later, they initiate a game where they are going on holiday. They work out what to take and pack this into a suitcase. They invent towns,

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need to do better?

such as 'beachside', and use their mathematical knowledge as they describe how the suitcase becomes heavier as they add items. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They state that they always understand what their children have been doing and how to build on this, by borrowing books and other resources from the nursery, for example.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and wider concerns, such as the dangers associated with radicalisation and the possible risks relating to use of the internet. They understand how to recognise concerns relating to children's welfare and respond swiftly to refer these concerns to the appropriate professional. They complete regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. Excellent parent induction procedures ensure that parents fully understand staff's role in safeguarding children. Staff also provide parents with safeguarding information so that all can work together to promote children's welfare.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY278843 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10137525 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 46 Number of children on roll 45

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Name of registered person

Ashcroft & Ramridge Tenants And Residents Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 402 812 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Ashcroft & Ramridge Community Nursery registered in 2004. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It maintains links with the school on which it is sited.

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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 inspector and the nursery manager carried out a 'learning walk' across all areas of the setting to discuss and understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. Meetings were held between the inspector, the nursery manager, the nominated individual and the nursery's special educational needs coordinator. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate

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Inspection activities

times during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from 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

16 August 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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