Owls Nest Nursery

Inspection of Owls Nest Nursery 164 Broadway East, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN3 2PT

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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 are happy and settled. Staff spend time interacting and playing with children, which helps them to feel safe and develop a sense of well-being. Older babies develop their small-muscle skills as they are encouraged to feed themselves at mealtimes under close supervision from staff. They enjoy exploring the textures and colours of paint as they create pictures. Toddlers are fascinated by familiar stories and begin to learn about numbers as they point at and count how many pieces of fruit a caterpillar eats. Pre-school children learn how plants grow. They explore compost and fill containers. Staff extend their experience as they provide construction toys that children use to create flowers. Children demonstrate their previous learning as they talk about their tall flower stem.

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The provision is good

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are curious and motivated to take part in the activities. Staff are enthusiastic in their engagement with children. They plan activities that take account of children's interests and offer suitable challenges to extend children's learning. For example, pre-school children with SEND, who are fascinated by letters and recognise capital letters, benefit from exploring puzzles that show lower case letters. Staff help children learn the letter sounds as they work on completing the puzzle. This promotes children's listening and communication skills.

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need to do better?

n The management team work closely with the staff and have continually supported them since the last inspection. They have reviewed the staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and have ensured they have refreshed their safeguarding training. The management team continues to develop the staff's confidence in their abilities. They have made all required changes to ensure children's needs are met. n Most of the time, staff speak to children clearly and successfully engage them in play. Children choose to join activities supervised by the staff. Staff talk to children and ask them what they are doing. They provide praise and encouragement for children's efforts. However, staff sometimes ask children lots of directive questions rather than continuing with relaxed conversations. This does not effectively support children's speaking skills, as children sometimes struggle to respond. n The staff know the children well. They encourage children to have a go at all the

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need to do better?

activities available to them. Children benefit from outdoor play in the nursery garden. They develop their physical skills and learn about taking turns as they wait before climbing up the steps of the slide. Staff are supportive of children who are hesitant and lack confidence. They reassure them and praise the children when they manage to get to the top. This reassurance and guidance

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need to do better?

27 February 2023 from staff helps children develop the confidence to challenge themselves. n Overall, staff help children to develop their independence skills. All children are encouraged to make choices about what they do, and toddlers and pre-school children try to put their coats on for outside play. At lunchtime, pre-school children collect their food and cutlery and pour their own drinks. However, some children sit for a long time before they can fetch their food. This results in some children becoming distracted, leaving the table and unwilling to come back and sit down. n Staff build effective partnerships with parents. They value the information parents share with them about children's interests and the experiences they have at home. Staff incorporate this information into their planning of activities to provide a consistent approach and widen children's experiences. For example, staff provide children with pictures of food linked to a familiar story. This

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need to do better?

prompts lots of discussion and interest in the different types of food and promotes children's understanding of healthy eating. n Parents make positive comments about the nursery. They comment on how swiftly the staff identify where children need additional support. The parents like how the staff work closely with them to ensure their children are referred to other agencies without delay, so they can receive the support they need. Parents like the detailed feedback they receive from staff when they collect their children about their routines and the activities they have enjoyed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of local safeguarding concerns. A commitment to further training from the management team helps staff know how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report any concerns. Staff understand specific aspects of safeguarding, such as the 'Prevent' duty. Thorough checks are made on new and existing staff to ensure they are, and remain, suitable to work with children. Staff carry out risk assessments which contribute to keeping children safe. The premises are secure, and staff supervise children well during activities. They complete thorough checks on children who are sleeping.

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should:

n review and enhance routine activities, such as lunchtime, to ensure all children remain fully engaged and continue learning n develop staff's knowledge and skills to support children's conversational skills as they play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2542692 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10259174 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 64 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Owls Nest Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01604 401956 Date of previous inspection 1 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Owls Nest Nursery registered in 2019 and is located in Abington, Northamptonshire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery also provides a before- and after- school and holiday club. It employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and 6, including one member of staff with qualified teacher status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education during a variety of activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager and discussed teaching and learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the nominated individual, the manager/director and with the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

27 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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