Squirrels Day Nursery

Inspection of Squirrels Day Nursery Nelson Primary School, Nelson Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 7BU

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Staff offer a welcoming and stimulating learning environment, where children feel safe and secure. Children are happy and settled and enjoy their time at the nursery. They have good relationships with the staff, who are engaging and offer good support during activities. Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and plan activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. For example, children enjoy exploring play dough and use a range of tools to manipulate the dough and decorate it.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children's behaviour well. They have high expectations of all children and set circle time rules, which children understand and remind each other of. Children listen well and are kind to each other. They learn to care for each other and the environment. For example, they learn to take care of the plants in the setting and take turns in watering them each day.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children to develop their independence skills effectively. For example, at snack time children learn to cut their own fruit and serve themselves at mealtimes. Before going outside, they are also encouraged to put on their own coats and shoes.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a good understanding of their curriculum and tailor it to meet the children's needs. Staff know the children well and plan activities based on their interests and next steps in learning. They closely monitor children's development and act swiftly to ensure there are no gaps in children's learning. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. n The well-established key-person system helps to ensure children are happy and settled at nursery. Children build positive relationships with the staff and their peers and have a positive attitude towards learning. They eagerly join in with activities. They explore pumpkins in the mud kitchen as they use different tools to transfer mud into different containers. n The dedicated and committed manager works well with her staff team to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery. They have regular meetings and

p.2

need to do better?

together they reflect on practice and identify areas for further improvement. For example, they have recently moved premises and have created a new environment. Purposeful supervision meetings and observations of practice support staff to develop their teaching skills. Training has a positive impact on experiences for children as staff apply their new-found knowledge and skills. n Parents are complimentary about the service they receive and the care of their children. They speak highly of the staff and value the local trips their children go

p.2

need to do better?

31 October 2023 on. Parents value the information the staff share with them. For example, they appreciate the photos and updates shared on the parents app. n Staff support children to develop a good understanding of safety. They talk to them about how to use equipment safely and children enjoy taking part in a daily risk assessment of the garden, as they look for risks and what they need to do to keep themselves safe. n Children develop a good understanding of personal hygiene. Staff encourage them to wipe their own noses and wash their hands. Children also remind each other about why it is so important to have clean hands before mealtimes. n Staff support children effectively to develop their early literacy skills. For example, children confidently recognise their own names for self-registration and older children are encouraged to write their own names when completing artwork. Staff plan activities around the children's 'book of the week'. For

p.2

need to do better?

instance, children decorate pumpkins or make play dough characters based around the book. Staff also support children that speak English as an additional language well, as they read stories and teach children words in different languages. n At times, large-group times are not organised as well as possible. Children sometimes get distracted and become disengaged. n Staff work effectively to develop children's communication skills. They model language well with children, introduce new words and ask questions to extend their learning. However, at times, some staff do not allow children time to express their own ideas and try things for themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. They have all undertaken regular training to help them recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse and identify when a child might need additional support. Robust recruitment procedures are in place and staff's ongoing suitability to carry out their roles and responsibilities is frequently checked. Staff ensure that children are able to play in a safe and secure environment. They complete regular risk assessments and follow stringent policies and procedures.

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of large-group activities in order to maximise children's learning opportunities and their engagement and participation levels n build on the good teaching practice in place and ensure all staff give children time to express their own ideas and try things for themselves.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 511691 Local authority Richmond Upon Thames Inspection number 10310238 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 26 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person Squirrel's Nursery Association Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 020 8893 3645 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Squirrels Day Nursery registered in 1991 and is run by a voluntary committee. The nursery is based on the grounds of Nelson Primary School in Whitton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding for free early years education for children aged three and four years. The nursery employs five members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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 inspector observed the interactions between staff and children and considered the impact on children's learning. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to staff, parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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