Orchard Vale Nursery School

Inspection of Orchard Vale Nursery School Orchard Vale Community School, Westacott Road, BARNSTAPLE, Devon EX32 8QY

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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 happy and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. Although children have only recently returned to the nursery after the summer break, they settle in very quickly. They arrive eagerly and greet staff warmly with spontaneous cuddles. Children are kind and keen to assist staff in their tasks, particularly the older children who help to take care of their younger friends. For example, they notice when the babies' sleeves are too long and roll up them back up to enable the babies to use their hands.

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The provision is good

Children are provided with a broad and interesting curriculum. Babies confidently toddle around their environment, developing their leg muscles, balance and coordination as they explore the variety of resources on offer. Children enjoy mixing ingredients to make play dough. They use their senses to explore the texture and smell the fresh mint they have added. The older and more confident children share their thoughts and ideas using good vocabulary, such as commenting that the flour is 'fluffy' and 'wiggly', and that it becomes 'slimy' when mixed with water. Children learn to consider risks and attempt only what they feel comfortable to try. For example, while the older children clamber over a climbing frame with confidence, babies manage a few rungs tentatively, and then decide to climb back down.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have high aspirations for the nursery. The manager and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of what they want children to learn and achieve. They assess children accurately and plan a curriculum that builds on the children's emerging interests and next steps in learning. Children make good progress. n Leaders, including the manager, reflect accurately on the provision for children, to help them to make changes that enhance the children's experiences further. For example, they have made plans to develop the garden, to provide more stimulating activities for the youngest children that fully capture their attention when they play outside. n Children develop a love of books from a young age and learn to concentrate. When staff read to them, the babies look at the pictures with interest. Staff skilfully engage the older children. They pause to allow them to join in with the repeated refrains from their favourite stories, and ask questions about the

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need to do better?

illustrations. n Staff model language well and introduce new words to extend children's vocabulary. However, they do not consistently encourage the babies and less confident children to speak, to help to extend their communication and language development.

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need to do better?

20 September 2022 n Babies develop the confidence to move in different ways. For instance, they persist in their attempts to climb onto a ride-on toy and try to use their feet to propel themselves forward. Staff support the older children to throw and catch balls, and to learn to balance and jump. They cheer enthusiastically when the children succeed, which helps to build the children's self-esteem. n Staff work closely with parents from an early stage to help get to know the children very well from the start. They are respectful of children and model the use of good manners. Staff are quick to notice changes in the children's moods, and when they need a sleep or their nappy changing. n Staff provide good support for children to develop their skills and confidence to manage their own self-care tasks. For example, they encourage children to drink from cups and give the children time to try to peel their oranges independently.

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need to do better?

Staff are patient and reassuring when the children accidentally spill their drinks, and allow them to try again. n Parents are very complimentary about the nursery. They praise the relationships that the manager and staff form with their children and comment on their children's developing confidence and social skills. Parents feel well informed about their children's care and learning and the efforts that staff make to meet the children's individual needs.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff prioritise children's safety and welfare at the nursery. All staff know the potential signs that may mean a child is at risk of harm. They know how and when to refer any concerns, or when to seek advice to keep children safe. Leaders have secure recruitment and vetting systems in place to ensure the suitability of new staff. The manager and staff ensure that the premises are secure at all times and any potential hazards to children's safety are identified and minimised. They are well deployed and supervise children closely. For example, they count the children when they return to the playroom from another room.

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should:

n strengthen the monitoring and support for staff to develop their interactions with babies and toddlers further, to extend the younger children's language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY399043 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10125963 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 7 Number of children on roll 13

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Name of registered person

Orchard Vale Community School Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 01271 375074 Date of previous inspection 29 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Orchard Vale Nursery School registered in 2009. It operates from Orchard Vale Community School, in Barnstaple, Devon. The nursery is open every weekday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, during school term time. It is in receipt of funding to provide free education for children aged two years. There are currently three members of staff, all of whom hold a relevant qualification of at least foundation degree level.

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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 setting. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and also spoke with the children. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk around the setting. The manager told the inspector what they want children to learn and how they plan to do this. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. They observed and reflected on the quality of teaching and learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and took into account their views of how well the setting cares for their children.

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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 September 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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