Conkers

Inspection of Conkers Chestnut Tree Farm, The Heywood, Diss, Norfolk IP22 5SZ

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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 are incredibly happy and settled at this calm and inclusive nursery. As they arrive, familiar and enthusiastic staff welcome them. Staff foster strong and positive attachments with children in their care. As a result, children show they feel safe and secure. Children's behaviour is good. They learn important social skills, such as taking turns and sharing toys. Staff teach children to be polite and gently remind them to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children develop their independence through everyday routines. For example, younger children pour their own drinks and older children self-serve their lunch. Children follow good hygiene practices, such as handwashing before eating. They learn about being healthy and enjoy meals from a varied menu.

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The provision is good

Children show curiosity as they explore their environment. Babies show delight and excitement as they investigate ice cubes during sensory play. They hold them in their hand and look in anticipation as they begin to melt. Younger children use large, chunky chalks to make marks on the ground. They laugh and giggle together as they transport water around the garden in a toy watering can, and watch in wonder as they pour the water over their chalk drawings and they disappear. Older children learn new words, such as 'squidgy', as they add water to the dry sand.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the nursery has undergone many changes. It is now under new ownership. The new owners have high expectations and a clear vision for the future. They are passionate about providing high-quality early years provision. The new owners have invested time in supporting existing staff to ensure they feel included in decisions about the future of the nursery. All staff say that they feel well supported and valued by the new owners, who are very approachable. n Overall, the quality of education is good. Staff develop an exciting, broad curriculum based on children's interests and what staff want them to learn next. Children independently initiate their play by accessing thoughtfully planned activities. Staff engage in children's play. They ask questions and encourage children to talk about their ideas. However, staff in the pre-school room do not consistently engage children in purposeful activities to help them embed what

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need to do better?

they already know and develop new skills. n Children's speech and language development is well supported. The environment is language rich. Staff narrate play and model good language throughout the day. They listen carefully to children and give them time to respond. Staff introduce new words, for instance 'crunchy', 'soft' and 'shiny'. This helps to broaden children's vocabulary. n Children develop positive attitudes towards learning. You can hear a 'buzz of

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need to do better?

19 January 2023 excitement' as they laugh and play together. For example, children watch in wonder as objects begin to sink into the wet sand. Babies smile and wiggle as they bang on the drum. They babble while singing along to the song 'Row, row, row your boat'. n Staff skilfully weave mathematics and numbers into the children's play. For example, children count the pieces of play dough as they cut them. They compare differences and similarities, such as 'bigger' and 'smaller', as they draw around each other's feet. n Staff support children to develop their independence and resilience in their play. For example, babies show resilience as they try to place ice cubes one on top of another to build a tower. Older children persevere when using scissors. Staff are patient and encourage children to keep trying. This supports children's self- esteem and builds on their confidence to have a can-do attitude. n Children delight in listening to stories as enthusiastic staff read books to them.

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need to do better?

Babies learn how to turn pages and toddlers join in with repeated phrases in books. This helps children to gain a love of reading from an early age. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment that the new owners are approachable and responsive to communication. Parents speak highly about the quality of care and education their children receive. Parents receive regular updates about their children's learning through an online app. Parents feel their children are thriving and the staff are welcoming and nurturing. They comment how happy they are with the nursery and the staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They know the procedures to follow if they have a concern regarding a child's well-being. Staff are clear on the procedures to follow should they have concerns about the behaviour of a colleague or the provider. Staff are aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and county lines. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are in place to ensure staff are suitable to carry out their roles. Children are well supervised in both indoor and outdoor environments to ensure they remain safe.

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should:

n monitor staff practice more closely in the pre-school room to ensure all children benefit from consistently high-quality learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY296435 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10234883 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 56 Name of registered person Conkers 4 Kids Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01379 644461 Date of previous inspection 10 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Conkers registered in 2005. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager holds qualified teacher status. 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 provider 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 provider. n The owner 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 during the inspection. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the owner. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written testimonials. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

19 January 2023 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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