Children 1st @ Oakwood

Inspection of Children 1st @ Oakwood Hilltop, Breadsall, Derby DE21 4TJ

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children first is the ethos that runs through everything in this exceptional setting. As the children arrive at this well-organised, high-quality nursery, they are excited that their day is going to be full of fun. Children become deeply engrossed in a wealth of captivating and highly challenging activities and experiences. Older children show high levels of concentration as they retell a familiar story about going to the moon. They dress up in space suits and build a rocket with the large construction materials. Children demonstrate their extensive and very impressive language skills as they problem solve how to build the rocket. 'This plank needs to go diagonally', 'This block can hold it upright', they say as they work together harmoniously, holding each other as they balance safely. When they succeed, they stand proudly and shout, 'We will not be defeated', using new vocabulary recently introduced by staff.

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The provision is outstanding

Toddlers are enthralled and fascinated by the natural world as they search for a bear in the vast woodland area. They are encouraged by staff to tiptoe quietly as they use their senses and observational skills to look for clues. They listen for leaves rustling and look for trees moving as they confidently move over uneven ground. Babies enjoy the warmth and comfort of the staff's observant and gentle approach. Babies form strong bonds with staff, helping to establish positive social skills. Children show that they feel safe and secure in the nursery. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning and eager for more adventures.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are highly motivated, inspiring and passionate about providing all children with the very best start. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and they have worked tirelessly to build a staff team that shares their vision. Staff morale is high, and staff comment that they love coming to work every day. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive at the nursery. The experienced special educational needs coordinator has high aspirations for all children. She works closely with children and their families, key people and other professionals. All children have a wonderful connection to their key person. Staff working with babies have enhanced their practice with specific training on bottle feeding and sleeping. This ensures that attachments are formed and that babies' unique needs are consistently met. n Staff are excellent role models. They are calm and show genuine respect and

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need to do better?

interest when engaging in conversation with children. These positive behaviours are reflected in the way children socially interact with one another. All children show kindness and consideration towards their friends. In pre-school, children explore their feelings during circle time activities. They talk to the inspector

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need to do better?

14 February 2023 about their rules and explain how they like to be kind to each other. They link their feelings to a popular story, saying, 'I am calm like the trees swaying in the wind.' n Partnerships with parents and other professionals are exceptionally strong. Parents comment that the care provided is fantastic and that the nursery is regarded as an extension of their family. They highly praise the regular feedback they receive through the online parent app and say they feel involved in their child's learning journey. n Children have extensive opportunities to learn about the world around them. On site, they grow their own vegetables in the large nursery allotment. They learn how to care for living things, and they tend to the nursery ducks, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs in the many garden areas. n Staff teach children to understand differences. Staff reflect on each child's uniqueness through books and visual images. For example, as they share family

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need to do better?

photographs with each other, they compare the places they live and learn about each other's important home celebrations. Older children take part in 'nursery council' meetings, where they share their views on matters that impact their lives. For example, they voted to adapt the menus. Some days, the two-course lunch consists of a starter followed by a main meal rather than including a pudding. They are developing a secure understanding of adopting healthy lifestyles. n Staff are excellent role models to children, encouraging their clear, engaging speech, skilfully aimed at extending children's vocabulary. Babies and toddlers develop a sense of the rhythm of speech when, for example, they accompany the nursery rhymes and songs they choose for themselves with musical instruments. Older children love to experiment and use new words staff introduce them to. For example, children know the names of the different food

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groups. At lunchtime, children ponder, 'I wonder if we will have any carbohydrates today?' After looking at the menu, they agree, 'It is pasta, and pasta is a carbohydrate.'

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They have an excellent awareness of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and are very confident in how to report their concerns. Leaders ensure that staff keep their knowledge up to date with regular online and in-house training, which helps to strengthen their knowledge of local safeguarding concerns, such as online safety and county lines. Effective supervision and robust risk assessments ensure children's safety when, for example, staff take children into the woodland or on outings into the community. The suitability of staff is determined through thorough recruitment processes. The ongoing suitability of staff is regularly reviewed.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2609156 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10263028 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 160 Number of children on roll 263 Name of registered person Breedon House Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01332830473 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Children 1st @ Oakwood registered in 2020 and is part of a chain of nurseries owned by the provider. It is located in Breadsall, Derbyshire. The nursery employs 38 members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at degree level. There are 22 staff with an early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The two senior leaders of the nursery (the centre manager and under threes manager) completed a learning walk with the inspector. They observed all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. A joint observation was carried out to further discuss the quality of education. n The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. Children confidently communicated with the inspector. 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

14 February 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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