Freshfields Nursery School Ltd

Inspection of Freshfields Nursery School Ltd Clifford Forge House, Clifford Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 8HW

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children swiftly settle on arrival at the nursery. They benefit from warm and caring relationships with all staff. Children's emotional needs are well met, which helps them to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children are eager to learn and remain busy throughout their day. Older children develop the muscles in their hands as they manipulate dough or use pipettes to transport different-coloured water into tubes. They explore what happens when they mix different colours. Children relish their time outdoors. Staff take them to visit the on-site animals and provide ample learning opportunities outdoors. Babies and young children learn to balance and climb, and enjoy scooping gloop with a range of tools and build with blocks. This, in addition to providing opportunities to crawl and stand, helps to promote their physical skills and control.

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The provision is good

Staff introduce children to sign language from a young age, which they use with increasing skill. Babies use this to communicate that they would like more fruit, and to say 'thank you'. This helps children express their needs before they can speak in words. Children's communication and language skills are further promoted by staff, who give a running commentary while they play and introduce new words. This exposes children to rich vocabulary from a young age.

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need to do better?

n The manager is extremely passionate about the ethos of the nursery and providing children with high-quality care and education. Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have used self-evaluation effectively to address weaknesses previously identified. They have successfully engaged with staff and parents to make significant and sustainable improvements to the quality of provision. n The manager has high ambitions for children's learning. The broad curriculum for children is well-sequenced and intends to give children knowledge and skills in preparation for the next stage in their learning. However, some aspects of this are not yet fully embedded in staff's teaching and practice. For example, the curriculum aims for children to gain high levels of independence. On occasion, staff complete tasks too quickly for children without giving them the opportunity to do things for themselves. n Children benefit from a well established key-person system. Staff get to know

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need to do better?

each child and their families really well, with much sharing of information taking place to ensure consistency for each child. Parents contribute to initial assessments of children's learning when they start at the setting. Staff use this information to plan activities and experiences that will interest children and support their learning.

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need to do better?

3 July 2023 n Children behave well throughout the nursery. They learn how to share and take turns when joining in with activities. For example, children take turns to hide vegetables in the outdoor area. They guide their friends using prompting words to help find them. They then celebrate each other's achievements. n Children develop an early love for reading. Staff frequently share stories with children, who listen with interest. Children join in with repeating key phrases from books they know. During quieter times, children choose books they want to look at. They handle books with care and turn pages gently. n There is a designated coordinator to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work closely with children, their parents and other agencies to provide tailored support for children who attend. Plans are in place to guide children's learning. The coordinator attends

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need to do better?

meetings with other professionals to help inform children's learning and support them with a smooth transition to school. n Staff receive a detailed induction programme when they start their role to help them to understand what is expected from them. Managers give priority to staff's well-being and staff comment that they feel well supported in their role. Managers have recently implemented new arrangements for the supervision of staff. However, this is not yet fully embedded to raise the quality of teaching consistently to the highest level. n Partnerships with parents are strong and ensure children's needs are well met. The managers and staff are readily available to parents, with key persons sharing important information with them each day about children's welfare. An online app is also used well to inform parents of what children have enjoyed doing, and how well children are progressing in their learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive training which helps them to understand their role in safeguarding children. They are aware of different safeguarding issues that could affect children in their care. Staff are alert to signs which could mean a child is at risk of abuse or harm. They know the procedures to follow to report this to other agencies. Staff understand what to do if they have a concern about the conduct of another member of staff. Risk assessment is used effectively to provide children with a safe environment. Managers follow rigorous procedures when recruiting new staff. They undertake appropriate vetting checks to help ensure staff's suitability to work with children.

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should:

n embed the arrangements for the supervision of staff to achieve greater oversight

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should:

3 July 2023 of the quality of teaching and practice n explore ways to implement all aspects of the curriculum to consistently challenge children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 200597 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10281245 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 140 Number of children on roll 188 Name of registered person Freshfields Nursery Schools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01789 261633 Date of previous inspection 3 February 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Freshfields Nursery School registered in 1998. It is located in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold qualifications between level 2 and level 6, including one who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and one inspector completed a learning walk to gather information about how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents spoke to one inspector and provided their views of the setting. n The inspectors observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors to assess the impact of this on children's learning. n The manager and one inspector completed a joint observation to evaluate to effectiveness of teaching. n One inspector held a meeting with the manager and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

3 July 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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