Toad Hall Nursery Ottershaw

Inspection of Toad Hall Nursery Ottershaw The Old School House, Brox Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0HH

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are warmly greeted by staff on their arrival. Staff support all children to settle in the nursery. They are aware of children who need reassurance and ensure that they are supported effectively. Children are confident to approach staff for reassurance and a cuddle when needed. Children enthusiastically play alongside staff, who extend their learning. The well-thought-out and exciting environment provides children opportunities to practise a range of skills. Babies show they are competent movers as they walk around the garden, negotiating people and objects in their way. Older children play cooperatively as they practise playing imaginatively in a home, caring for baby dolls and talking to each other on their pretend phones.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy calming interactions with staff, who support their emotions well. For instance, children take part in a 'mindfulness group', where they focus on their breathing, attention and listening skills. This helps children to regulate how they are feeling.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders have a clear focus on what they want children to learn. They focus the curriculum on developing children's independence, social skills and confidence. Children are articulate and are starting to use their memory and recall skills. For example, they confidently recall using 'cocoa powder' when talking about making chocolate brownies.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff use observations and assessments to identify gaps in children's learning. Children's additional needs are identified early, and staff provide swift and targeted support. For example, additional funding has been used to purchase equipment and resources to support children's specific needs. Staff ensure that all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points. n Generally, children's communication and language development is supported well. Staff ask questions and maintain ongoing dialogue with children. For example, staff discuss with children what items can be used to see in the dark, such as torches and candles. Staff working with babies repeat key words, such as 'aeroplane', to build their vocabulary. However, staff do not consistently encourage older children to think more deeply or fully support them to develop

p.2

need to do better?

their own thoughts during play. n Children learn good hygiene practices, such as wiping their noses and washing their hands before and after meals. During mealtimes, staff encourage children to serve their own food and pour their own drinks. This helps children to develop the independence skills they will need when they move on to school.

p.2

need to do better?

11 May 2023 n Children behave well. Staff encourage sharing and taking turns to model respect and politeness to their peers. Pre-school children are encouraged to think about their actions. For example, they are reminded how to keep themselves safe when using scissors. However, staff are not fully organised to make sure children are not left waiting too long between routines such as lunchtime. Although staff provide children with books to look at in the meantime, some children get bored of waiting and become disengaged. n Parents are very complimentary of the nursery and the staff. They talk about the kind and caring manager and staff. Overall, they appreciate the detailed feedback and regular updates from the key person about their child's progress. n The provider has faced significant challenges relating to staffing issues. Despite this, all children have a named key person, and staffing arrangements are

p.2

need to do better?

managed effectively. For example, they use regular agency staff to ensure consistency for children. Their rigorous induction process helps to support staff to understand their roles and responsibilities. n Staff well-being is a priority for the leadership team. Staff comment that they enjoy working at the nursery due to its 'family feel'. They praise the manager for her support and state that they feel valued and appreciated. This helps to promote staff morale, and teamwork is effective. n Staff have access to a wide range of in-house and online training resources to support their continual professional development. For example, the manager supports staff by offering training specific to SEND, to help them in their role to support children with additional needs.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff, including agency and cover staff, have a sound understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They can identify the risk factors of abuse, such as physical, sexual, neglect and female genital mutilation. Staff know who to report their concerns to, including concerns about children who are at risk of extremist beliefs. Staff understand the setting's whistle-blowing policy and know who to refer to if they have concerns about a member of staff. Children are supervised well by staff. They hold regular fire drills to show children where to go in the event of an emergency.

p.3

should:

n support staff to build on older children's ability to think more deeply n organise daily routines more effectively so that children are not left waiting too long.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 120286 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10276443 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Careroom Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01932 874286 Date of previous inspection 17 July 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Toad Hall Nursery Ottershaw is one of 11 nurseries owned by Careroom Limited. It registered in 1999. The nursery operates from within an old schoolhouse building in Ottershaw, Surrey. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks a year. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 10 members of staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager holds a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

11 May 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6