Upper Knapp Farm Day Nursery

Inspection of Upper Knapp Farm Day Nursery Upper Knapp Farm, Manor Avenue, Cam, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 5JF

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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 benefit from a well-sequenced curriculum, which builds on their interests and prepares them for the next stage in their educational journey. They build strong relationships with their peers and the staff who care for them. Children behave well and form early friendships. At home time, they run up to their friends and hug them goodbye.

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The provision is good

Babies exploratory skills are supported by staff, who provide them with inviting sensory experiences. They develop their grasp and hand-to-eye coordination as they use a spoon to fill containers. Skills which will help them with self-care practices, such as feeding themselves.

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The provision is good

Toddlers display high levels of confidence and are keen to interact with visitors. They enjoy listening to familiar stories read aloud by staff. Toddlers experiment with a range of mark-making equipment. They use mathematical vocabulary as they describe what they have drawn. For example, children proudly say, ' I have drawn a circle'.

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The provision is good

Pre-school children are independent learners. They display an interest in a range of books and are beginning to understand that they can be used as a source of information. For example, as they engage in imaginative play with small dinosaur figures, children match the species to images in a book. Children listen intently as staff read out the information about their chosen dinosaur.

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need to do better?

n Staff support babies' early communication skills effectively. They use care practices, such as nappy changing to talk to them and introduce key words. Following babies' interest in minibeasts, staff created a wall display next to the nappy changing table where they point and introduce the names of the minibeasts they have found under the logs in the garden. n Children throughout the setting access a range of good quality toys and resources that promote development in all areas of learning. Staff are good role models. They play alongside children and model how things work. However, baby room staff are yet to effectively consider the organisation of the environment, to make sure play opportunities are focused on supporting children's individual progress. On occasions, babies find it hard to move around and sustain interest for periods of time as there are too many resources left out. n Children's moves between rooms are well supported throughout the nursery.

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need to do better?

Following discussions with parents, children are invited to attend for a number of settling-in sessions in their new room. This helps them to develop familiarity with the environment and members of staff. Key persons attend these sessions

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need to do better?

21 April 2023 with children to ensure they feel safe and secure. This supports children's emotional well-being. n Overall, managers and staff share an ambitious vision for what children can achieve. They make observations of children's learning to monitor their progress towards their learning goals. This is shared with parents on an online learning journal. However, at times, staff do not make the most effective use of observations and assessment, to plan clear and precise next steps to support children to make the best possible progress. n Pre-school staff are successful in providing thoughtful learning opportunities to prepare children for the move to school. Children are completely focused on staff during small-group activities. They sing rhymes and copy sign language demonstrated by staff. Children take turns to have a go at recognising the number on a ladybird pebble. They share their ideas with staff who encourage

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need to do better?

them to check their answer by counting the spots together. n Staff provide effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work with other settings children attend to create individual support plans. These are regularly reviewed to monitor children's progress. When needed, referrals are made to external professionals, such as the speech and language team. n The manager and her deputy are dedicated to providing high-quality care for children and their families. They operate an open door policy and offer support to staff, both personally and professionally. Staff describe the team as 'one big family'. Parents comment on the 'reassuring nature' of the manager and value the 'safe and stimulating learning environment'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Risk assessments for all areas of the premises are used to identify and reduce hazards. This promotes the safety of children, staff, parents and any visitors to the setting. Staff regularly update their child protection and safeguarding training. They demonstrate a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and understand the procedures to follow to report a concern about children's welfare. Staff are familiar with the setting's whistle-blowing policy. They know who to contact in the event of a concern about a fellow member of staff. The manager implements robust recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure the suitability of staff. This is reviewed twice yearly to make sure staff remain suitable for their role.

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should:

n support staff in the baby room to further consider the organisation of the learning environment to make sure play opportunities are meaningful and fully

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should:

21 April 2023 support children's progress n strengthen children's next steps in learning to make sure they are precise enough, to support children to make the highest levels of progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313352 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10280297 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 78 Number of children on roll 170 Name of registered person McCreight, Leanne

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reference number

Telephone number 01453 543661 Date of previous inspection 16 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Upper Knapp Farm Day Nursery registered in 2005. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It employs a team of 23 staff to work with the children. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds a level 5 qualification. The staff are supported by a team of cleaners, cooks and maintenance workers.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk to discuss the curriculum and intentions for children's learning. n The manager carried out a joint observation of an activity with the inspector and evaluated the quality of teaching and learning taking place. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. Parent views were considered through written testimonials. n The inspector sampled a range of documents, including records of staff's suitability and qualification certificates.

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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 April 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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