Gershwin Park Day Nursery School

Inspection of Gershwin Park Day Nursery School Gershwin Boulevard, Drury Road, Witham CM8 1FQ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children delight in spending time at this exceptional nursery. They flourish and make rapid progress in their development. They arrive excited and eager to learn. Children have established strong bonds with their key persons and leave their parents with ease. The whole nursery is centred around the children and is exceptionally calm and welcoming. The early years educators are passionate about their role and are caring and attentive. Children quickly become absorbed in their play. Superb supervision is in place to support children as they decide where they want to play. They can flow freely from indoors to outdoors and become engrossed in the wealth of learning opportunities provided. For example, children immerse themselves in the growing garden. They take great pride and tell visitors to the setting about the vegetables and plants they grow and explain how they must take care of them. They squeal with delight when they find bugs and worms in the

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The provision is outstanding

earth. Skilful staff respond to their excitement and offer magnifiers to help their search. Children's thinking is challenged as the early years educators engage them in meaningful conversation about the environment.

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The provision is outstanding

A wealth of opportunities are available for the children to learn about their emotions through sharply focused well-planned activities. They learn to regulate their feelings and use small mats to sit comfortably if they feel they want their own space or some quiet time. They are taught the language they need to express themselves, and focused activities, such as yoga and mindfulness sessions, help children's emotional and social development. All children understand the high expectations of the nursery and their behaviour is excellent.

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need to do better?

n The exceptionally well-planned curriculum supports children's enthusiasm to learn. The curriculum is securely embedded in practice both indoors and within the outdoor classroom. Strategies are embedded in practice to ensure inclusion. This means all children, including children who require additional support and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve the best possible outcomes and are superbly prepared for their future learning. n Babies flourish in the home-from-home, calm environment. Their individual routine and care needs are superbly supported by the nurturing and caring staff. Babies move around with ease and have immense fun enjoying the sensory experience of water play. They splash and catch fish using small nets. Babies are confident and have close bonds with their key persons. They crawl into cosy spaces and enjoy the quality toys provided. They are offered lots of

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need to do better?

encouragement and praise for their efforts. n Children are confident speakers. They are inquisitive and ask lots of questions. All children, including those who are bilingual or who speak English as an

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need to do better?

28 February 2023 additional language, make excellent progress. The early years educators are skilful in engaging children in conversation and provide a running commentary during activities. They understand the importance of asking open-ended questions and allow children ample time to think and respond. They are very good role models and speak to the children with respect and kindness. Children are provided with a language-rich environment. Careful consideration is given to ensure that play areas are designed to encourage and prompt conversation. n Parents say they are impressed with the kindness, compassion and support their children receive. They comment that their children thrive and make excellent progress, are confident and thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery. They comment that their children receive outstanding care. Parents say that their children have developed their confidence since attending nursery and that the

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need to do better?

early years educators demonstrate they genuinely care. They say that they can leave their children, feeling reassured that they are safe. n The early years educators are led by a truly inspirational management team. The management staff's commitment, dedication and professionalism to provide children with outstanding care and teaching opportunities is infectious. The team members work exceptionally well together. Their continuous professional development and their well-being is thoroughly considered. All early years educators, including apprentices, speak with enthusiasm of their ambition and passion for their role. They comment that their contribution is valued and they thoroughly enjoy their time at work. n The excellent practice at the nursery is worthy of sharing. The nursery has established positive links with outside agencies, schools and other early years settings involved in the care of the children to ensure a consistent collaborative

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need to do better?

approach. Superb opportunities, resources and support are in place for parents to continue their children's learning at home. For example, an extensive range of activity bags, lending library and training links.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Robust policies ensure that children's welfare is a priority. The team complete extensive ongoing safeguarding training, which includes a wide range of child protection issues. They comprehensively discuss their thorough knowledge and understanding of how to report concerns. The early years educators are skilful in identifying possible signs and behaviours that may suggest children are at risk from harm. Well-planned learning opportunities enable children to learn how to take fully supported risks safely. A stringent recruitment process, induction and mentoring programme mean that children are cared for by staff who are suitable to do so.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484828 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10276176 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 74 Number of children on roll 130 Name of registered person Seymour House Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01376 383940 Date of previous inspection 4 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Gershwin Park Day Nursery School registered in 2014. It is situated in Witham, Essex. The nursery employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, 22 hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and above, including three with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7am 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 has 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 head of early years and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 head of early years and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with the team of early years educators at the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the early years educators working in the nursery.

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Inspection activities

n Parents provided the inspector with oral and written feedback.

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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

28 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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