The Lawns Children's Nursery @ Chard School

Inspection of The Lawns Children's Nursery @ Chard School CHARD SCHOOL, Monmouth House, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1QA

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children enter the setting happily and settle quickly into nursery activities. Children benefit greatly from the strong bonds they form with familiar adults who know them well. The play environment is well organised and carefully considers children's interests. Staff use their knowledge to engage children in a well-thought-out curriculum, which helps children make the progress of which they are capable.

p.2

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy exploring, using their senses, and develop their physical skills. For example, toddlers apply glue with spatulas with control and use brushes to paint pumpkins. Older babies immerse themselves in scooping seeds from a pumpkin. Staff interact well. They constantly talk about babies' movements and introduce new vocabulary so babies hear language often.

p.2

The provision is good

Older children develop their imagination well, making connections with their own experiences. For example, children explain that it is someone's birthday in the 'restaurant' today and offer the inspector cake. Children confidently make marks on the clipboard, showing control in their early writing, as they take the inspector's order. Older babies persevere to link toy fence pieces together. Staff show children how to fit them together, providing support and encouragement so that they are confident to have a go on their own.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have addressed the concerns raised at the last inspection. They plan an ambitious curriculum for all children and carefully consider what they want children to learn. They have ensured that the new and enthusiastic staff team receives effective coaching and training to deliver the curriculum successfully. Staff assess children's next steps successfully. They identify any gaps in children's learning swiftly, put action plans in place and monitor children's progress efficiently. n Leaders and managers continually reflect on the curriculum. They have identified core books to spark interest and discussions to support children's literacy even further. For example, children recall what they remember from the story 'Room on the Broom'. They design pumpkins with lentils and use the sticks they have collected to make brooms. However, these visual reminders are not always used consistently to help children recall what they know, for example what fireworks

p.2

need to do better?

might look like before they paint them. n There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. Staff question children well as they manipulate the dough. Children confidently talk about their Halloween experiences and their costumes, listening to their friends. Staff model language well, introducing more specific and descriptive words, and they help children to build sentences. However, on

p.2

need to do better?

31 October 2023 occasion, staff do not minimise disruptions to ensure toddlers can fully engage in small-group learning times. n Children begin to learn how to keep themselves healthy and safe. For example, children understand that they should not eat the dough, and they remind their friends. Children thoroughly enjoy the healthy snacks and meals provided by the resident cook. There are good opportunities for children to learn about where food comes from, to prepare it and grow their own. n Children show curiosity in the natural world and love their time outside. Older children search for bugs, working together to discover where the bugs may be hiding. Older children throw the leaves in the air. They listen well to instructions when staff challenge them to see which direction a single leaf may blow in the wind, making predictions. n Children behave well. There is a strong focus on providing children with the skills

p.2

need to do better?

to self-regulate and understand their feelings. For example, children visit the tepee when they want time on their own to calm down. Staff support older babies well. For example, they use a traffic light system to help them understand expectations and the routines of the day. n Staff forge positive relationships with parents and ensure they share information on children's care and learning regularly. Leaders and managers use social events, such as 'The teddy bears' picnic' and stay-and-play sessions, to engage with parents, explain the curriculum and to seek their views.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff use their risk assessments effectively to provide children with a safe and secure environment to explore. All staff have good knowledge of the indicators that a child is at risk of harm and know who to report their concerns to. The designated safeguarding leads (DSL) understand their roles and responsibilities to record and report concerns, including any allegations regarding staff, to appropriate agencies. Leaders and managers use robust procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable for their role and remain so.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of care routines to ensure young children remain focused in their learning n make better use of resources to help children build on what they remember from their previous learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY479736 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10299622 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 30 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person The Lawns Childrens Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01460 73444 Date of previous inspection 18 May 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Lawns Children's Nursery at Chard School registered in 2014. It operates from the grounds of Chard Independent School, in Chard, Somerset. The nursery is open all year round, Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm. There are 13 members of staff. Of these, the nursery owner holds early years professional status, one member of staff holds qualified teacher status, one holds an early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 4, six members of staff hold qualifications at level 3 and two hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery is in receipt of funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk to discuss the early years curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The manager joined the inspector on a joint observation. n The inspector spoke with parents and children during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children and spoke to staff about their key children. n The inspector conducted professional discussions with leaders and managers, the DSL and the resident cook during the inspection. n A sample of documentation was discussed and observed.

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

31 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.

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