The Old Station Nursery - Stratford-upon-Avon

Inspection of The Old Station Nursery - Stratford-upon-Avon Greyswood, The Ridgeway, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9JL

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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 play in a safe and welcoming environment. They make good progress in accordance with what they already know and can do. The bonds between children and staff are strong, and children are happy and settled. Children's emotional security is initially addressed well, for example, as a settling-in procedure is agreed with parents in accordance with their child's individual needs. Transition arrangements are good as babies progress through the nursery to the two-year- olds' room, and then on to the provider's pre-school nursery at the age of three. Parents are kept well informed about their child's planned move.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Two-year-old children play together cooperatively and show signs of empathy, such as by offering a hug when one of their peers is upset. Young children begin to understand that some things are shared and sometimes they must take turns. Children are praised for their efforts and achievements, which helps to boost their self-confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children's good health is addressed well. They eat healthy and nutritious food and enjoy activities outdoors every day. Mealtime routines are used effectively to help support children's independence, for example, through washing their hands before sitting at the table and through scraping away the remains of food when they have finished their meal.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, significant improvements have been made. A new manager has been appointed, and she has worked with an area manager to ensure that staff develop their child protection knowledge and are consistent in their management of behaviour. n Staff use observations, assessment and information from parents to plan, so that children are challenged effectively to reach the next stage in their learning. Children make good progress in readiness for moving on to pre-school. n Parents are very happy with the provision. They comment positively on communication, their children's progress, approachable staff, the variety of activities and a varied menu. n Staff caring for babies are alert to their individual wants and needs. They interpret babies' non-verbal communication and the sounds that they make, while encouraging them to begin to say single words. Babies and young children enjoy singing, and staff recognise how this helps to support their language

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need to do better?

development. Signing is used effectively to supplement emerging speaking skills. n Staff model clear pronunciation and adopt good teaching strategies to help children progress to putting two words together and using short sentences. However, at times, staff do not make the most of opportunities to support

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need to do better?

1 December 2022 children in extending their vocabulary while they play. n Children and babies enjoy a wide range of activities that support sensory exploration and give them opportunities to make marks. Staff inspire children to get involved in accordance with their interests, such as an interest in trains. Children manoeuvre trains through paint and notice the marks that they make with the wheels. n Babies gain physical skills while climbing on an indoor unit and on soft-play blocks. However, two-year-old children are not fully challenged to practise large- muscle movements, for example, through climbing, sliding and moving their bodies in different ways. n Books are easily accessible for all children. Two-year-olds enjoy listening to a favourite story about a bear. They join in with repeated refrains and anticipate what comes next. n Children and babies develop good handling skills. Staff provide safe, small items,

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need to do better?

such as food, to help babies progress from grasping with their whole hand to using a thumb and two-finger grip. Moulding dough and using cutters helps children to develop strength in their hands. n The manager identifies the help provided by a representative of the local authority to review and improve staff's knowledge and skills. Records, policies and procedures required for safe and efficient management of the provision and to ensure that the needs of all children are met, are appropriately maintained and implemented.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager is the designated safeguarding lead and she keeps her safeguarding knowledge up to date. She has reviewed safeguarding procedures with staff, and all staff have completed training to update their child protection knowledge. Staff are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and know the local referral procedures to follow if they have a concern. They are aware of the duty to prevent children being drawn into situations that would cause them harm. The provider makes sure that the premises are secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised and unwanted visitors cannot gain access. Staff identify and successfully minimises potential risks, indoors and outdoors. Recruitment and selection procedures meet requirements.

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should:

n build on current teaching practice for helping children to extend their vocabulary while they play n provide a greater challenge to help two-year-old children practise and extend

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY292440 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10251829 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 43 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Polkadot Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01789 290101 Date of previous inspection 22 July 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Polkadot Day Nursery registered in 2004. It is located in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. The nursery opens from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 13 staff who work at the nursery, ten of whom hold relevant early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 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. The inspector assessed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection, and children interacted with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector took account of parents' views about the provision.

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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

1 December 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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