Peapods Nursery School

Inspection of Peapods Nursery School Manor Farm, Peppard Common, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, Oxfordshire RG9 5LA

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff warmly welcome children on arrival. As a result, children leave their parents easily and quickly settle to play. Children are valued as individuals and develop positive self-esteem. They know the expectations well, with even the youngest children developing a sense of responsibility, such as helping to tidy up. Overall, children develop their independence effectively. For example, older children confidently carry their own plate and cup to the table for mealtimes and then tidy these away afterwards.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their play and learning. All ages of children engage very well during their play and activities. For example, older children maintain a strong focus and interest during larger group activities, such as circle and story times. Staff promote and develop children's communication and language skills effectively, including teaching them new words.

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The provision is good

Staff have secure knowledge and understanding of the learning intentions of the curriculum. Overall, they consistently implement these and are attentive and supportive to children. This helps to build on children's skills and knowledge. The learning environment, both indoors and outdoors, and the resources and activities are well thought out to support children's learning and development. Staff monitor children's progress closely and use relevant assessments to check for any potential gaps in their learning. They are proactive in identifying and providing support for even the smallest gaps. Consequently, children make the progress of which they are capable.

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need to do better?

n The manager of the nursery has high expectations about what she wants to achieve for children. She supports staff, children and parents effectively. Staff feel very well supported in their roles and well-being. They complete regular professional development and training and receive individual supervision meetings. This helps to support their skills and knowledge and promotes a consistent approach. The nursery's special educational needs coordinator understands their role. This includes the steps to take should children need further support in their learning and development. n Staff consistently praise children. This helps children to develop high levels of confidence, such as to have a go at something new. This was seen at the inspection when staff supported a child to climb more challenging large play equipment. This encourages children to manage and take appropriate risks. Children develop their large- and small-muscle skills effectively, such as by

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need to do better?

developing their strength and coordination. Equipment for the youngest children helps them to negotiate different surfaces and levels, including how to safely

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need to do better?

17 October 2023 manage steps. n Children gain a good sense of themselves and others. Staff value the individuality of children by, for example, celebrating events special to them. In addition, staff working with the youngest children skilfully use photographs on display to help children form early friendships with each other. Staff have a sensitive and caring approach towards children. They respectfully ask children if they can change their nappies and provide encouragement, such as singing favourite songs. Staff support a consistent expectation to respect others. However, occasionally, staff do not fully promote the expectation of respecting resources. n Staff know what they want individual children to learn, including their next steps in learning, which are clearly identified. This helps all staff to support children's learning and progress. At times, staff do not implement some expectations as well as possible to extend children's knowledge and skills even further. For

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need to do better?

example, on occasion, staff step in to perform tasks for children that they may be capable of doing themselves. In addition, sometimes, staff do not manage routines as effectively as possible to engage children and promote their learning further. n Staff use daily experiences to help children develop their skills and knowledge. For example, staff use simple counting with the younger children, such as counting the fruit pieces at snack time. Older children take part in more complex matching and number identification activities. Staff promote all children's language skills very well. For example, they repeat words and regularly sing songs and rhymes with children. n There are strong partnerships with parents. Staff communicate with parents effectively. Information is shared consistently through daily handover discussions. An online app provides further details about children's learning and development. Parents speak highly about the nursery and staff. They state they

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need to do better?

and their children are very happy. Parents comment positively about the consistency in staffing, the settling-in process and the good progress their children are making.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding leads know and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. They recognise indicators that would raise their concerns and understand what to do about these, including how to make referrals to outside agencies. Staff's suitability to work with children is checked vigilantly during the recruitment process. Staff's ongoing suitability is regularly reviewed. All staff hold current paediatric first-aid certificates, which enables them to respond quickly to any incidents. Staff understand how to promote children's safety, such as keeping the premises secure and when taking children across the road to the playing field. They remain within sight and/or hearing of children to supervise them appropriately.

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should:

n build further on staff's understanding of the expectations of their roles and responsibilities in relation to supporting children's care and learning, to help raise the quality of practice to a higher level n review how routines are managed to help keep children more purposefully engaged at these times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY455468 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10305641 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 37 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Hopcroft Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07825 889 307 ** 01491628002 Date of previous inspection 28 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Peapods Nursery School registered in 2013. It is located in Peppard Common, near to Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, during term time, from 8am to 3.30pm. A holiday club runs during some of the school holidays from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The nursery receives free early education funding for children aged three and four. There are seven staff, including the manager. Of these, five hold suitable childcare qualifications, including one staff member with qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine 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 nursery. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk and explained the curriculum intentions. n Discussions and meetings were held with the manager and staff during the inspection. n The manager and inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. 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 interacted with the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n A sample of documentation was reviewed, including evidence of staff's qualifications and suitability. n Some parents discussed their views and provided feedback about 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

17 October 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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