The Learning Tree Nursery

Inspection of The Learning Tree Nursery 47 Beryl Road, Prenton, Merseyside CH43 9RS

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Staff create a warm and welcoming environment for children. They know that children learn best when they feel safe and secure, so they spend time getting to know the children and helping them to settle. Babies are confident to explore, and they giggle with delight as they investigate flour and water play. Staff respect children's wishes and feelings. For example, when children say 'no' to having their nappy changed because they are engrossed in play, staff listen and accept this. They return a few moments later when children are ready.

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The provision is good

Staff have high aspirations for children's behaviour. They help children learn to take turns and share their resources. Children behave well and are kind and considerate to their peers. For example, they rush to help their friend find a grey item to complete a game. The children call out 'we did it' when they locate the grey koala bear. Children have a keen sense of belonging and are emotionally secure and content. They provide comfort to their friends when they are upset.

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The provision is good

Staff help children to develop a love of reading. Babies crawl onto staff's laps to listen to a favourite story. Older children learn the flow of a favourite story and eagerly anticipate what will happen next. Staff encourage children to be as independent as possible. For example, they help children to learn how to put on their coats and see to their own toileting needs. This helps to prepare children for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Since the previous inspection, there has been a change of manager. The new manager and staff are coming together well as a team. The manager shows commitment to improving the quality of education for children. However, there are gaps in less experienced staff's knowledge of how to implement the curriculum, such as for communication and language development. This does not help children to make the best possible progress. n Many aspects of the curriculum are carefully sequenced to meet the children's needs. Staff assess what children already know and can do, and plan ways to support the next steps in their learning. This supports children's good progress. n Staff pose interesting questions that enable children to think and solve problems. They introduce new describing words to children, such as 'pop' and 'splat', which help to expand children's vocabulary. However, staff do not consistently build on

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need to do better?

informal language, such as 'froggy', or model the correct words as labels. This means that children are not consistently helped to learn how to pronounce some words correctly. n Babies relish opportunities to explore sensory activities, such as mixing flour, water and food colouring. They use a range of tools with increasing control to

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need to do better?

2 November 2023 scoop the flour and mix the water. Older children concentrate intently as they create spiders out of pipe cleaners. This helps them to develop the muscles in their hands that they will need for early writing. n Staff use songs and rhymes to help children to learn to count. Staff introduce children to concepts, such as matching and sorting, as they play 'pairs'. Children excitedly call out 'I found it' when they find a match. Children begin to notice similarities and differences as they compare the spiders they have made. Children's early mathematical skills are developing well. n Staff help children to learn about good health and hygiene. Children understand the importance of washing their hands before meals or after going to the toilet. They explain about the need to drink water to remain hydrated, along with the benefits of eating healthy meals and snacks. This helps them to stay fit and well.

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need to do better?

n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is sound. Staff work in partnership with families and other professionals to support the individual needs of the children. For example, staff have introduced a bespoke curriculum of targeted support. This helps children to make as much progress as they can. n The new manager has placed a strong focus on collaborating with parents. Parents say that the communication has improved and that they are now aware of what their children are doing and learning in nursery. This means that they are able to continue to support their child's development at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff attend regular training to ensure that their practice remains current. They have a secure understanding of child protection and safeguarding practice. This means that they are able to act if they have concern about a child or a member of staff. Staff help children to learn ways to keep themselves safe. They teach children to safely use resources, such as scissors. Risk management strategies are secure. For example, the gardens are checked for any hazards prior to children going out to play. Robust recruitment practice means that children are cared for by suitably qualified and vetted staff.

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should:

n enhance staff's understanding of how to implement the curriculum to support children's speaking skills, including the importance of modelling the correct pronunciation of words n support staff to further develop their understanding of how to implement the nursery's curriculum in a way that continually enhances children's learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 306503 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10309611 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 31 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Orme, Jane

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 677 3560 Date of previous inspection 15 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Learning Tree Nursery registered in 1999 and is located in Prenton, Merseyside. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and two hold level 6 qualifications. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The setting is in receipt of funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to and communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at various times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector and manager conducted a joint observation of an activity in the baby room. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

2 November 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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