Olney Nursery School

Inspection of Olney Nursery School Olney Church Hall, High Street, Olney, Buckinghamshire MK46 4AA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Overall, the nursery provides children with a curriculum that meets their needs. Staff understand about children's age and stage of development and are ambitious for what they can achieve. Children enjoy their time at the nursery. They are enthusiastic and show their engagement at activities as they persevere with tasks, such as painting. However, some aspects of their learning are variable. For example, they do not fully learn about the importance of eating a healthy diet. Information is not shared effectively with children's parents to provide them with consistency in their learning. Despite these weaknesses, children form close relationships with their peers and the adults who care for them. Staff focus on supporting children to be sociable and to get along with others. Children's behaviour is consistently good.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

There is a relaxed and calm atmosphere at the nursery, where children develop into confident and curious individuals. Children are strong communicators and express themselves and their needs well. They enjoy reading books and stories with staff and are developing their early reading skills. Some children are starting to recognise individual letters and words. Staff encourage children to begin to take care of their personal needs. For example, children line up and wash their hands thoroughly before eating their lunch.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff implement a generally well-planned curriculum that provides children with a strong sense of identity and understanding of their local community. Staff take children on regular trips within the local area. For example, they visit the shops and post letters home. This helps to develop their sense of belonging. n The manager is introducing new ways of implementing the curriculum and evaluates and reviews how well it helps children to develop. Staff share their views to help improve the quality of teaching and learning for children. n The curriculum helps to introduce children to the concept of healthy eating. However, this is not effectively communicated to parents. Some children do not eat healthily while at the nursery. On occasion, children's packed lunches consist of sweets and crisps, which are detrimental to their oral health. n Children's communication and language development is good. Staff recognise

p.2

need to do better?

when children need extra help. They use appropriate methods, such as flash cards and story books, to model language, repeat key words and help children to hear and use new words. Staff work effectively with other professionals to ensure that children receive targeted support when needed. n Children develop their physical skills well. In the garden, they practise climbing and sliding. Children take great delight in threading small beads to make bracelets. They demonstrate a real sense of achievement and excitement as

p.2

need to do better?

25 April 2023 they show their bracelets to staff. These activities help children to increase strength, dexterity and control over their muscles. n Children behave well and know what is expected from them. Staff quickly divert any boisterous behaviour and children are learning ways to manage their own behaviours, such as through talking and taking turns. n Children form close relationships with the staff who care for them and the key- person relationships are strong. These relationships contribute towards children's strong emotional stability and resilience. Staff are genuinely kind and caring, and children return to them for reassurance during the day, when needed. n Staff use several ways to share information with parents, such as newsletters and sessions where parents can come into the nursery. However, these are not effective. Some parents say they feel that they have insufficient information about how well their children are progressing and do not know what they can do

p.2

need to do better?

to support their learning at home. n The manager welcomes parents into the setting, and drop off and collection times are beneficial for building relationships between the setting and families. However, during the early morning drop-off period, the main doors are left unlocked. This has the potential to pose a risk for children, as unknown persons could gain access to the building. n Staff work effectively together and have good support and supervision from the manager. Staff have opportunities to develop their professional skills through training.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There are effective recruitment and induction procedures for new staff to confirm that those who work with children are suitable to do so. The manager arranges staff to ensure that there are always suitably qualified staff to meet the needs of children. All staff are knowledgeable about their roles in keeping children safe. Staff know about how to report any concerns about children's welfare to the designated person at the nursery for safeguarding. All staff know about the work of the local safeguarding partners and how they can work together to help keep children safe.

p.3

Due date

ensure that all food that children consume during their time at the nursery is healthy, balanced and nutritious to contribute towards their good health 09/05/2023

p.3

Due date

25 April 2023 improve communication with parents and families, ensuring that they have a clear understanding about their child's progress and what they are learning so they know how to support child's development at home 09/05/2023

p.3

Due date

take action to strengthen the current risk assessments in relation to the security of the nursery, so the premises is safe and secure at all times of the nursery day. 09/05/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 141849 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10284149 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Knightbridge, Sara Lou

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01604 620 781 Date of previous inspection 16 October 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Olney Nursery School registered 1996. It is open from Monday to Friday, during term-time only. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including three with qualified teacher status. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first 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 This inspection was prioritised following a risk assessment process. n The inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents

p.6

Inspection activities

discussed their views during the inspection and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

25 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7