Elm Cottage Nursery at Brookfield

Inspection of Elm Cottage Nursery at Brookfield 51 Brookfield Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Stockport SK8 1ES

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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 are happy and safe in this stimulating and well-organised nursery. They spend time playing with their friends, as well as enjoying a wealth of carefully planned learning experiences, such as making dough and preparing 'reindeer food'. Children articulate themselves very well. They engage in conversations with staff about what they are doing now and what they want to do next. Children make good progress across the seven areas of learning and development. This is due to staff having high expectations for their learning.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They use their manners and respond well to praise from nurturing staff. Children learn lots of different ways to keep themselves healthy. They have access to a well-planned outdoor environment, where they can get daily fresh air and exercise. Children have a go at dressing themselves in outdoor cold weather clothes. Staff are close by to offer help where needed. Children spend time practising their coordination and balance skills with the support of staff. They enjoy a nutritious home-cooked meal prepared by the on-site chef. Even the youngest of children have a go at feeding themselves. This supports them to develop their independence skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have an ambitious curriculum in place that is coherently planned and well sequenced. The programmes of education are intended to support children to build on their prior learning. Staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of the nursery curriculum and how young children learn. Consequently, learning experiences support children to make good progress. n Staff know children well. They gather a wealth of valuable information prior to children starting and use this to inform their planning from the start. Staff make good use of ongoing assessments to continue to plan activities for children which are suitably challenging. However, at times, staff do not always support children to develop an awareness of others around them and consider how their actions impact on others. Consequently, during some activities, children do not always take turns and share. n Staff plan meaningful experiences that help prepare children for their next stage

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need to do better?

in learning, including school. Staff are attentive and caring towards children. This supports children with their own emotional well-being. Children can express their emotions well and seek out staff for comfort when needed. However, on occasion, staff do not always support all children to develop high levels of involvement in activities. Therefore, some children move quickly from one activity to another. n There is an experienced special educational needs coordinator in place. She effectively disseminates her training to the staff team. This ensures that staff put

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need to do better?

20 December 2022 in place purposeful targeted plans for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff seamlessly integrate these plans into all aspects of children's day, including during routines and at times of transition. This ensures children's individual needs are consistently met. n Staff support children's communication and language incredibly well. They read to children in clear and expressive voices. Children enjoy joining in with the main parts of the story, as well as predicting what is going to happen next. Staff talk to children, share ideas, and encourage children to think of new ideas to test out. Such as, how to change the consistency of the dough they are making. This supports children with their growing vocabulary. n Leaders have effective systems in place to support staff. They place a real emphasis on staff well-being. Leaders carry out regular observations of staff.

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need to do better?

They identify staff strengths and areas for improvement. Leaders demonstrate that they can effectively bring about change to enhance outcomes for children. For example, they recently completed 'Physical Champion' training. This has been effectively disseminated to the whole team. Consequently, children's physical development has improved. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. They know who their children's key person is and feel that they receive a good level of communication about their children's time in nursery. Staff have effective measures in place for supporting parents to continue children's learning at home. Staff encourage parents to be actively involved in the nursery. This helps support children to settle quickly.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse. They are all aware of how to report concerns to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) in the nursery. The DSL has a secure knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other professionals involved in the welfare of children. Staff carry out regular safety checks of the environment to ensure that it is safe for children. Children learn how to manage their own risks and show a good understanding of the nursery rules and the importance of following these, such as walking inside. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid.

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should:

n support children to develop a greater sense of awareness of others, in particular how their actions impact on others n strengthen planning to encourage all children to develop the highest levels of engagement and involvement in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2635080 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10267538 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 63 Number of children on roll 116 Name of registered person Elm Cottage Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 428 9421 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Elm Cottage Nursey at Brookfield registered in March 2021 and is situated in the Cheadle area of Stockport. The nursery operates all year round and is open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for one week at Christmas. There are 11 members of staff who work at the nursery, of whom one has an appropriate qualification at level 2, three at level 3, two at level 5 and two staff hold early years teacher status.

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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 leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 early years teacher and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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 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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