Ridgemount Cottage Nursery School

Inspection of Ridgemount Cottage Nursery School 73 Ermin Street, Gloucester GL3 4EH

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

Children arrive at the nursery happily and are ready to start their day in the busy and vibrant environment. Older children settle quickly and form secure relationships with staff and their peers. They confidently engage in activities, concentrate well and talk freely to staff about their play. However, younger babies struggle to settle. At times, they get upset, and staff do not know who their key children are due to recent changes in staffing, meaning staff do not provide the comfort and reassurance that babies need to help them feel secure.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Leaders have a clear idea of what the curriculum should entail for children. They verbalise their intent for developing children's communication and language skills and emphasise a focus on children's emotional well-being and personal care needs. However, this is not yet fully demonstrated in practice among all staff.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Staff promote activities to help children learn about different feelings and emotions. However, some staff do not always follow their behaviour management strategies to address inappropriate behaviour consistently or effectively. This does not help children to learn what is expected of them and the consequences of their actions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Babies initiate interactions with staff. However, staff do not always respond or introduce language. This limits babies' opportunities to explore and gain new words. Staff do not always use their knowledge to successfully distract and engage babies in learning, especially when they become upset. They spend a lot of their time trying to manage the organisation of the routine, and babies are often passed between staff rather than being with their key person, which means their learning needs are not consistently or effectively met. n Staff promote children's independence and self-care, and they are taught the importance of handwashing and making healthy choices. Children are encouraged and praised for using the toilet. At mealtimes, older children scrape their own plates when finished, and some children help set the table with cutlery. However, some staff do not consistently follow good hygiene procedures. For example, staff do not always wash dummies after they have

p.2

need to do better?

fallen onto the floor, allowing babies to still use them, and they do not ensure that individual drink bottles are not accessed by other children. n Toddlers and pre-school children confidently move between the inside and outside areas. The outside area provides them with a variety of different spaces and resources. Staff support children's interests, follow their lead and extend their learning. For instance, toddlers happily make cakes in the sandpit. Staff ask them how much it would be to buy a cake and talk to the children about money, introducing number and value. Children are supported to solve problems.

p.2

need to do better?

19 May 2023 n Children of all ages enjoy a wide range of activities. Babies explore food play, while toddlers enjoy making marks and play dough. During outdoor play, staff encourage children to try new activities. For example, older children try to use walking balance stilts. Staff support and praise them for their efforts. n Staff support older children's communication and language well. On these occasions, staff engage in a narrative during children's play to excite and provide curiosity for them. For example, children learn about what insects live in the garden, talking about where they live and what they eat. They also experiment with colours and pipettes, filling different-sized containers and showing staff what 'mix' they have created. Staff explain these were introduced to promote children's finger strength, in preparation for early writing skills. n Pre-school children are quick to listen to staff instructions and respond well.

p.2

need to do better?

When staff ask questions, children are keen to answer. Children freely and confidently lead their own play. However, at times, when younger children are not following the routine or they display unwanted behaviours, not all staff follow effective behaviour management techniques. As a result, some staff do not always promote positive behaviour and self-regulation for all children. This leads to children receiving mixed messages regarding expected levels of behaviour. n Parent partnerships are effective. Parents feel welcomed in the nursery and well supported. They appreciate the daily updates they are given on their children's progress and comment on the secure relationships their children have with staff.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibilities when working with children and know the signs and symptoms of abuse. Managers regularly check staff's knowledge in this area so that staff know which professionals they need to refer to if they are worried about a child. Managers ensure that safe staff recruitment is in place. They carry out ongoing suitability checks to make sure that staff continue to be suitable to work with children. This helps to keep children safe from harm. Staff know what to do if an allegation is made against a staff member as part of the whistle-blowing process.

p.3

Due date

19 May 2023 ensure staff know about their key children so they can meet their individual needs and share information with parents 23/06/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure staff follow the setting's behaviour management policy to provide consistent messages for children to help them understand expectations. 23/06/2023

p.4

should:

n implement an ambitious curriculum that supports babies' communication and language n promote positive hygiene routines consistently across the nursery to further support children's understanding of healthy practices.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY545310 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10291788 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 120 Number of children on roll 189 Name of registered person Ridgemount Cottage Nursery Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01452 864107 Date of previous inspection 8 June 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Ridgemount Cottage Nursery School re-registered in 2017 and is located in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. The setting operates all year round from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. There are 36 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold early years professional status and six hold qualified teacher status. A further 15 hold appropriate childcare qualifications between levels 2 and 4. The nursery receives funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about 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 spoke with the managers about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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

19 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.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