Ashridge Nursery

Inspection of Ashridge Nursery Ashridge Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 1PG

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery. They make friends and form close bonds with staff. Children show confidence in their play. They demonstrate clearly that they are happy and emotionally secure. Children benefit well from staff interactions that embed the ethos of the nursery. For example, children learn to respect the feelings and thoughts of others. They learn at their own pace and are encouraged to achieve their full potential. For example, staff help children to develop a love of and interest in books and stories. Throughout the day, time is spent reading storybooks in large or small groups and on an individual basis. Children are confident to choose their favourite stories. They are developing awareness of the context of storylines and can recall repetitive lines and verse. Children show a willingness to explain their interpretations of what is happening and an interest in the illustrations.

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The provision is good

Children behave exceptionally well at all times. They understand staff expectations and the routines of the day. For instance, children take responsibility for their personal belongings, such as their coats and boots. They understand to put their work into their tray ready to take home. They show willingness to help at 'tidy-up' time. Children are incredibly keen to join in with their activities and show interest in all that they do. All children show readiness for the next stages of their learning.

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need to do better?

n The manager is highly supportive of her staff. Morale is high. Staff are encouraged to update their skills on a regular basis and state they are confident to embed new learning, such as strategies to support literacy and fine motor skills. The key-person system is embedded effectively. Staff are confident to work in partnership with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the curriculum and how to implement this. They have worked in partnership with feeder schools to help children achieve the best possible outcomes for school readiness. Staff follow children's play interests. They help children to develop confidence in their own abilities while trying to learn new things. For example, children enjoy construction play. They use a range of role-play resources, alongside reference books and pictures of different constructions both locally and around the world,

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need to do better?

to help deepen their knowledge. n Children use a broad range of language and are confident to ask questions or offer their ideas during group activities. Staff help children to understand the significance of new words, such as 'inventor' as they read to the children. Staff are enthusiastic in helping children to join in with singing activities. However, staff are not consistent in the ways they help children to express themselves

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need to do better?

14 December 2022 and, as a result, some children do not take part. At times, the activities are lengthy and some children appear distracted or overwhelmed. n An ambitious curriculum helps children to develop many skills across all seven areas of learning. This includes helping children use effective pencil and scissor control. Children are keen to give meaning to the marks they make when creating on an interactive whiteboard. Children work collaboratively together. For instance, they take a lead in negotiating sharing and use timers to help each other understand who is next in turn. Children are keen to take part in craft activities. They make independent decisions about the resources to use. Children show awareness of real-life situations when they play sociably together in the role-play areas. n Children show a positive attitude to their learning. They concentrate and follow instructions. For example, children listen well as staff help them to solve the best

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need to do better?

ways to build the marble run. Staff offer clues for children to problem solve and make the run faster or slower. Children show resilience as they work out the best method to make a 'loop' for their marble run. n Staff promote children's healthy lifestyles well. They offer regular opportunities for children to learn and play outdoors. Children show a good awareness of their health and hygiene. Most are independent in their self-care routines. Children show responsibility at snack times. For instance, they pour their own drinks, help to slice fruit and help to clear away afterwards. Children show emotional security, both in the ways that they form friendships and in the ways they build emotional attachments with the adults who care for them. n Parent partnerships are embedded well. Parents appreciate the variety of communication provided, such as newsletters and daily verbal feedback.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Policies, procedures and risk assessments are reviewed on a regular basis and are adhered to effectively in order to promote children's health, safety and well-being. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding and know how to protect children. For example, they know the procedure to follow to report a concern about a child's welfare. Robust procedures are in place for the recruitment and vetting of staff.

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should:

n enhance the ways children enjoy, remember and sing songs to promote their creativity and expression further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2533773 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10250818 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Ashridge Nursery CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 0118 9775878 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ashridge Nursery re-registered in 2020 due to a change in legal status and it has been in operation for nearly 40 years. It operates from its own premises located on the same site as the Keep Hatch Schools in Wokingham, Berkshire. It is open term time only, Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.30pm. This includes a morning session from 8.45am to 11.45am, a lunch club from 11.45am to 12.30pm and an afternoon session from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The manager holds a level 6 early years qualification. There are a further 10 members of staff who work with the children. Of these, two hold a level 6 early years qualification, one staff member holds a level 4 qualification and four hold level 3 qualifications. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 completed a learning walk with the inspector. She explained how staff plan the nursery's curriculum and how staff work in partnership with parents. n A joint observation took place. The manager explained to the inspector how she supports staff in their roles. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children. She spoke with children, staff and parents. n Relevant documentation was sampled during the inspection. This included 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

14 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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