Combe Down Nursery

Inspection of Combe Down Nursery Combe Road, BATH BA2 5HY

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children are happy, settle well and are confident in this inclusive nursery. They are eager to get involved in the range of stimulating activities on offer. Children show good concentration and enthusiasm during activities and in their play. Staff pay attention to children's individual interests and extend these interests well. For example, staff arrange visits from the local museum staff for children with an interest in fossils. Children are fascinated as they explore a fossil. They are inquisitive and ask questions, which staff answer well to deepen children's knowledge.

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The provision is good

Children build warm and positive bonds with staff, who get to know the children well. Individual key-person relationships are strong. Staff are good role models. They have high expectations of children's behaviour. All children behave well and learn positive social skills during their time at the nursery. For example, from a young age they say 'please' and 'thank you' as they share resources and toys with adults and their peers.

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The provision is good

Children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress. Staff plan a broad range of activities that motivate children and prepare them well for starting school. For example, children delight in exploring interesting sensory items hidden in a bucket. This helps them develop good attention and listening skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are dedicated to providing a good-quality experience for children. They have fully addressed the weaknesses in practice and the actions raised at the previous inspection. There is a strong focus on continually developing staff skills and knowledge. Staff make good use of knowledge they acquire from training. For example, they use coaching techniques to help children manage their own feelings. n The manager uses additional funding well to support children's individual needs. For example, they offer children with SEND the one-to-one support that they require, or source resources and equipment that help all children make good progress in their learning and development. n Staff plan a range of activities to help children develop their fine motor skills, for instance using tools such as scissors and sticking sequins using glue sticks. Children show an interest in the wide range of art and craft activities on offer.

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need to do better?

However, at times during some art and craft activities, staff overly direct children and do not allow them to fully explore their own creative ideas and interests. n Staff promote children's language skills effectively. They model language and

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need to do better?

29 November 2022 introduce new vocabulary during activities and play. For example, as children explore resources that flash, stretch and make a noise, staff encourage them to learn new descriptive words such as 'squish' and 'squeeze'. Staff use effective approaches to help all children communicate, including children who speak English as an additional language and children with SEND. For example, staff use some sign language to help children follow routines and learn key words. n Children have nutritious meals according to their individual dietary needs and preferences. They benefit from regular time outdoors in the fresh air and exercise throughout the day. This helps to promote children's physical well-being and supports good health. n Staff keep parents well informed about their children's development and progress. They share ideas with parents about ways they can help support their children's learning at home. Parents get involved in the topics that staff plan for

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need to do better?

children. For example, children collect natural resources on walks with their parents and bring them into nursery to contribute to their topical learning about autumn. n Children learn about the world around them in a variety of ways. They have regular outings in the local area, exploring a variety of places in their community. Staff provide children with opportunities to learn about one another and what makes them unique. This helps to give children a sense of belonging. However, staff plan fewer opportunities to help children develop a broader understanding of the wider community, to help prepare them for life in modern Britain. n Staff encourage children to develop good independence skills. For example, toddlers pour their own drinks, and pre-school children clear away their plates and cups after meals. n Staff use a range of effective teaching techniques to extend children's mathematical development. For instance, staff take opportunities as they arise in

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need to do better?

children's play to model mathematical language, count with children and teach them about shape and colour.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and leaders are trained as designated safeguarding leads. They demonstrate a secure understanding of their responsibilities in regard to keeping children safe. Leaders follow thorough systems for the recruitment and vetting of staff, to ensure that individuals are suitable to care for children. Staff have a good understanding of the possible indicators of abuse and know how to report their concerns. Leaders ensure staff knowledge is kept up to date through regular training and through discussing scenarios as a staff team. Staff carry out effective risk assessments and are vigilant about children's safety in the nursery and during outings.

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should:

n enhance teaching during adult-planned art and craft activities, to provide greater opportunities for children to develop their own creative ideas and interests n extend opportunities to expand children's understanding of their wider community and modern Britain, to enrich their knowledge of communities beyond their own.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY383228 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10249855 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 90 Number of children on roll 169 Name of registered person Combe Down Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01225 840575 Date of previous inspection 12 July 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Combe Down Nursery registered in 2008 and is located in Coombe Road, Bath. It opens from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery receives early years government funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are 28 members of staff. Of these, six hold a relevant qualification in early years education at level 6, one holds a relevant qualification at level 5, nine staff are qualified at level 3 ,and three hold a relevant qualification in early years and childcare at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector held discussions with leaders at appropriate times during the inspection and in a scheduled meeting. n The inspector viewed all areas of the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together across all areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed children's activities and staff teaching, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact these were having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including staff's suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children during the inspection and took

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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

29 November 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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