Elm Cottage Day Nursery

Inspection of Elm Cottage Day Nursery 11 Crescent Park, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 2HS

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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 are making exceptional progress in this outstanding nursery. They are highly engaged and have an abundance of confidence. Children are extremely happy and settled and have developed very strong, secure bonds with staff. Their behaviour is exemplary. Staff consistently encourage children to make independent choices about their care and learning. Children show consideration to their friends and are extremely respectful and kind.

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The provision is outstanding

Each and every aspect of the nursery has been carefully considered to support the coherent curriculum. Children take part in stimulating activities that ignite their curiosity and motivation to learn. Young children show great fascination as they explore different textures. An array of different aromas fill the air, purposefully placed for children to smell. Children demonstrate patience when attempting to operate equipment. They effortlessly rise to the challenge and show great perseverance as they learn to press the button on a light switch. Children further develop their physical skills as they carefully balance and walk in slippery paint and stomp and jump in dough. Older children operate electronic equipment with ease and explore with magnets what components and items they can attract. Children continually make connections and have opportunities to repeat and master skills across all the areas of learning.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team is inspirational and has a clear and effective vision. This is paired with all staff being very competent and highly skilled. Staff are confident in their own teaching abilities and all have an amazing knowledge of how children learn and develop. Staff have an abundance of training opportunities to continually build on their fantastic knowledge and skills. They are extremely reflective and continually make changes and improvements to their practice. Staff have a fantastic drive and dedication to ensure that they offer the highest standard of care and learning experiences possible to children. n Staff implement an incredibly ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum. They get to know all the children remarkably well and what skills they have already achieved. Staff take into consideration the children's age and stage of development and plan experiences that will follow their interests. Additionally,

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need to do better?

children take trips out on public transport and participate in extra-curricular activities, such as French and Spanish lessons. This helps provide children with a greater understanding of the world. Children are very well prepared for their future learning. n Systems to assess children's learning and development are thorough, well embedded and are consistently carried out. Furthermore, meetings take place with other professionals and parents. Specific strategies are put in place and

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need to do better?

15 May 2023 regularly reviewed. Additional funding is used to support children's individual needs well. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are making exceptional progress and any gaps that are identified are narrowing rapidly. n Children have an abundance of opportunities to access a wide range of books and develop a love of reading from a young age. Children sit with staff as they read their favourite stories. They watch, listen and respond to questions asked. From this, they demonstrate a clear understanding of the purpose of books. Children mimic what they see staff do, babble as they read and use their fingers to follow the print. Older children are using an exceptional level of vocabulary and are confident communicators. They ask questions and are very inquisitive to learn more. Children's communication and language are promoted extremely

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need to do better?

well. n Children thrive in social situations. During lunchtime, the noise of fantastic chatter and interesting conversations can be heard. Children set up tables, discuss how many chairs and plates are needed and pour and serve their own food. They wash their hands, wipe their own faces and independently dress themselves. Children demonstrate extreme levels of self-esteem and independence and know the importance of keeping themselves healthy. n Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. There is an abundance of opportunities for parents to be involved and contribute to their child's development. For example, they attend regular parents' evenings and stay-and- play days. Parents' comments are extremely positive. For example, parents say that the managers and staff are 'absolutely fantastic' and 'wonderful'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an in-depth knowledge of their role and responsibilities to safeguard children. They demonstrate extreme confidence in following policies and procedures if they have any concerns regarding children or referring other professionals. Rigorous recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. All staff have first-aid qualifications. This extends their ability to effectively support children if any minor incidents occur. Risk assessment procedures are robust, including when young children move around the nursery. For instance, with supervision, they remarkably turn their bodies round at the top of the stairs and move down on their stomach safely.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 307135 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10276645 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 50 Number of children on roll 85 Name of registered person Elm Cottage Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 443 2228 Date of previous inspection 26 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Elm Cottage Day Nursery opened in 1989. It is located in Stockport, Cheshire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. There are a total of 19 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications ranging from early years teacher status to level 2. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the managers and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the assistant manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

15 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.

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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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