The Learning Tree Nursery

Inspection of The Learning Tree Nursery 10 Alfreton Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 1FW

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children ring the doorbell and eagerly wait with wide smiles, to enter this bright, stimulating, home-from-home nursery. Staff greet the children with a warm welcome and equally large smile. Children welcome each other and engage in cooperative and collaborative play. They behave well as they share and take turns, with gentle reminders from staff. Children move freely about the environment and make independent choices about the resources they play with. They demonstrate focus and become highly engaged in pretend play. For example, children spend prolonged periods of time playing with the train track and construction objects. They learn about mathematical concepts as they move a train 'over', 'under' and 'through' the tunnels and bridges they have made with boxes and wooden blocks.

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The provision is good

All children show positive attitudes and are well prepared for their next stage in learning, including their eventual move to school. Babies explore and investigate a range of textures with awe and wonder. They rub their fingers together to feel soft, fluffy corn flour. They show curiosity, as it drips through their fingers when water is added. Babies push, pull and twist buttons on toys with dexterity to make objects pop up. They squeal with delight and repeat the action, developing their problem-solving skills. Pre-school children are intrigued, as they find a ladybird in the garden. Children ask, 'What is it?' and 'Will it hurt me?' Staff provide them with new knowledge that leads to the children finding the ladybird a suitable home in the garden.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide opportunities for children to learn more about the world in which they live. For example, they watched the live footage of a partial eclipse of the sun. This linked to the manager's vision for the children to embrace new experiences. However, this activity was not planned in a way that ensured that children had the necessary understanding and skills to gain what is intended from it. Staff did not consider what the children needed to know before they watched the footage. This meant they became confused about what they were watching and lost interest. n The vast majority of activities are adapted to suit the individual needs of all children, ensuring inclusive provision. Support from external professionals is swiftly accessed and a good working relationship is built between them and staff. This helps to ensure that all children make the progress that they are capable of. n Staff have placed a strong emphasis on children's speech through using the

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need to do better?

correct pronunciation of words. Staff are skilful in extending children's language skills as they repeat back what the children say with clarity. However, staff do not always introduce new words or model effective use of language linked to

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need to do better?

25 October 2022 children's play. This does not support rapid progress in their communication and language development. n Children benefit from outdoor activities and enjoy being physically active. For example, children of all ages confidently climb apparatus. In addition, they learn new skills, such as throwing and catching a ball. This is extended as they practise hitting a ball with a bat. Children are supported to use these resources independently and to manage their own risks safely. n Lunchtime is a social occasion, when staff will talk to children about the events of the day. Children are provided with healthy options and regularly discuss which foods are healthy. They confidently recall, 'milk makes my bones strong.' Staff eat the delicious, freshly-cooked meals with the children, promoting positive behaviour and encouraging children to try new foods. n The manager and senior members of the team model good teaching practice

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need to do better?

and make positive changes to improve outcomes for children. For example, they have reviewed the way they complete assessments of children's learning and adapted their process. Pressure for staff to complete paperwork has been reduced, increasing staff's quality time with the children. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They comment enthusiastically on the friendly and approachable staff team. Parents feel well informed about their child's progress and are highly involved in their learning. Parents attend a wide range of events at the nursery including coffee mornings, stay and play sessions as well as more formal information sessions. They are looking forward to the planned lunchtime event where they can have a nursery meal with their child.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are knowledgeable about the potential risks to children and their own important role in observing, recording and reporting any concerns. Safeguarding takes priority across the nursery, and staff participate in regular training to ensure their knowledge is refreshed and kept up to date. This includes safeguarding in the wider context, such as extreme views and behaviour. Robust recruitment procedures and regular ongoing suitability checks ensure, that all staff are suitable to work with children. Managers and staff assess the environment for potential risk and take steps to remove or minimise any hazards. Children know how to keep themselves safe. For example, they use scissors safely and hold the rail as they use the steps outside.

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should:

n consider what children need to know and be able to do before they engage in new activities and experiences so that they can learn what is intended

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should:

25 October 2022 n enhance teaching to introduce and model new vocabulary to children consistently, to enable them to make connections between words and actions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253038 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10234427 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 70 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Nursery Care UK Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01623 512324 Date of previous inspection 4 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Learning Tree Nursery registered in 1997 and is located in Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, one at level 4, six at level 3 and four at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. 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 setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n Staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out some joint observations with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability and training. n The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussions with

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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

25 October 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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