Aristotots Nursery School

Inspection of Aristotots Nursery School Soskin Drive, Stantonbury Fields, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK14 6DP

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children are inspired and highly motivated to learn as they fully immerse themselves in the wonderful experiences staff provide at this exceptional nursery. They access a meticulously well-designed curriculum that leaders have created to ensure every child makes the best progress in their learning and development. Staff have high expectations for what children can achieve, and they challenge children to discover and explore deeply in everything they do. For example, children examine spring flowers and look at their properties as they create paintings from still life. They make predictions and freely express their thoughts and ideas. Children discuss and consider how they can mix the paints to match the colour of the flowers. They recall previous learning and excitedly share their solutions as they remember that adding red and white will make pink.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff welcome children with the most nurturing and loving approach. They make sure that every child feels secure as they separate from their parents. Babies' eyes light up, and they have beaming smiles as they snuggle and share books with familiar staff. They thrive in the care of the dedicated and caring staff, who are highly attuned to their individual needs.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impeccable. They display excellent manners and are extremely considerate of others. Staff teach children rich and varied vocabulary to describe how they feel. Children confidently use these new words throughout the day, such as 'excited' or 'worried'. Staff take the time to support any child who might be unsure to quickly settle. They create an environment where children feel safe and comfortable to share their emotions.

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need to do better?

n The manager is inspirational in her dedication to supporting her staff team. She prioritises their well-being and professional development. Senior staff mentor and invest their efforts in supporting less experienced staff to grow and learn in their roles. Staff undertake an extensive range of high-quality training that impacts on improvements in the setting. For instance, recent training in understanding autism in girls has helped some staff to gain more awareness of how they could identify and support children's emerging needs. n The manager and her staff team go above and beyond to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff establish exceptional partnership with parents and external agencies to gain a precise understanding of the support they can offer. They follow targeted plans, offer one-to-one care, where needed, and work tirelessly to ensure children with SEND achieve the

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need to do better?

best possible outcomes. n Staff ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience and learn about

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need to do better?

21 March 2023 their local community and the wider world around them. For instance, they take children on multiple trips and outings. Children travel by train to have lunch at a different nursery and visit the theatre to see a play of a favourite book. n The manager cares deeply about promoting well-being and mental health. Staff provide children with relaxing spaces where children can practise yoga and mindfulness techniques and unwind, listening to calming music and smelling essential oils. This helps children to self-regulate and feel rested so that they can fully concentrate and engage with their learning. n Staff are exceptionally skilled in promoting positive behaviour. They swiftly identify when children might need some support to focus or distract from feelings of frustration. For instance, three-year olds explore a box of fidget objects to aid concentration. They share their knowledge of the nursery's golden

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need to do better?

rules and the importance of sharing as they talk about how to be kind to others. n Staff provide extensive and exciting opportunities for children to be physically active. For example, children take part in exercise classes outside in the fresh air. They joyfully move to the music and notice the effect that exercise has on their bodies. Two-year olds delight in climbing steep slopes in the garden. They develop their core strength and agility as they persevere to get to the top. n Staff create exceptional opportunities for children to carry out important tasks that help them to feel valued. For instance, babies and toddlers proudly show staff that they can put tissues in the bin, as they take part in their own self-care routines from a young age. Pre-school children work together to fill up large and heavy pans with water to use in their imaginative play. They take great pride in figuring out how they can carry these safely and relish the responsibility to solve

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need to do better?

problems independently. n Partnership with parents is outstanding. Staff establish close relationships with every family and ensure they provide parents with personalised and detailed information about their child's progress and development. Parents feel valued and cared for. They access a dedicated parents' area that is filled with an impressive amount of resources and information on all aspects of child development and care. Staff ensure that parents can continue children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff team have excellent knowledge of how to keep children safe. Staff know the signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. They understand the procedures they must follow if they were concerned about the safety or welfare of a child. Staff are aware of the provider's whistle-blowing policy and know what to do if they have a concern about any adults working with children. Staff carry out robust risk assessments of the premises in order to minimise hazards. Pre-school children get involved and delight in taking on the role of a safety warrior. They help to clear up water, as they identify that this might be dangerous and someone might slip and hurt themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY270136 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10280535 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 99 Number of children on roll 114 Name of registered person Aristo-Tots Private Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01908 311800 Date of previous inspection 24 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Aristotots Day Nursery registered in 2003 and is situated in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. It is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The provider is in receipt of funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 24 members of staff, of whom 19 hold early years qualifications.

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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 inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents spoke to the inspector and provided written feedback for the inspector to view. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the implementation of the curriculum during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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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

21 March 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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