Cowdown Day Nursery

Inspection of Cowdown Day Nursery Cowdown Farm House, Cowdown Lane, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6LE

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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

There is a real sense of family at this nursery. The ethos for children to develop a sense of self-worth and self-confidence is seen across the setting, as children enter the nursery happily and settle quickly. They confidently talk to visitors and happily share their experiences. Children benefit from time with their younger and older peers as all the children come together each day to play. This boosts children's confidence when they come to move rooms and it also helps staff get to know each child equally well. Staff are kind, reassuring and caring. Children in the baby room approach their carers for cuddles, and interactions are warm and attentive.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff support children's language and communication well. Staff across the nursery get down to the children's level to play and interact with them. Baby-room staff sing songs, read stories and introduce new words when they play a 'what's in the box' game. Older children develop confidence to talk in a group as they bring items for 'show and tell'. They use descriptive language, such as saying 'cuddly and a bit rough' when one member of staff asks what the toy dinosaur feels like. Staff excitedly point out the deer who come to rest in the grounds outside the nursery window and talk to the children about the food they eat and other animals who come to visit.

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need to do better?

n Staff have a clear understanding of the curriculum and are very confident to explain the learning intentions behind the activities and resources they set out. They track children's development closely and know their key children well. Staff evaluate the impact of their activities on children's learning effectively. All children are making good progress and are well prepared for school. n Although staff accurately identify children's next steps in learning, their support for children who are learning English as an additional language (EAL) is not consistent. Some staff have developed good ways to aid children's communication and language skills, such as by using simple sign language and working closely with parents to understand children's skills in their home language. They create a feeling of inclusivity as they teach other children words such as 'hello' and 'goodbye' in children's home languages, so that they can

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need to do better?

greet their friends. However, these strategies have not been shared across all the rooms to ensure a common approach to how staff support children who are learning EAL to make the best progress. n The management team has a good oversight of the provision and a good partnership with parents and staff. Meetings and supervision sessions take place regularly to monitor staff's training and practice. All staff say that they feel valued and that their well-being is supported. Parents comment on the nurturing and welcoming staff and the family feel of the nursery. They feel well informed

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need to do better?

12 March 2024 and appreciate that staff take the time to teach children to find the joy in things and to enjoy being young. n Children are motivated to learn and demonstrate good levels of engagement and concentration. Older children become engrossed in a science experiment to see how much pressure it takes to crack an egg. They squeal with excitement when the eggs crack under the pressure of some heavy books but become amazed when they are able to stand on the eggs without them breaking. n Staff teach children the importance of washing their hands before they eat. The owner/manager prepares fresh and nutritious meals, and staff encourage children to drink water regularly throughout the day. However, staff do not plan well enough for outdoor play. Opportunities for children to benefit from fresh air and take part in physical exercise outdoors are not consistent, and staff do not always recognise when children need to let off steam.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's independence and encourage them to make choices. They manage children's behaviour positively and consistently. Young children learn to wait for their turn as they share toys in the water play. Older children excitedly talk about 'Marvin the monkey' and how they get to take the toy home if they follow the golden rules. They proudly show their photos with Marvin and confidently recall what they did, such as taking Marvin to local parks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance the support in place for children who are learning English as an additional language so that practice is consistent across the nursery in developing children's communication and language skills n focus more sharply on the provision for outdoor play, to increase opportunities for children to have daily fresh air and physical exercise.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 507866 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10311779 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Cowdown Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01264 363098 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Cowdown Day Nursery registered in 1996. It is situated in Andover, Hampshire. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am until 6pm, for most of the year. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. The nursery employs 12 staff who work directly with the children, seven of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. All current unqualified staff are working towards a level 3 qualification.

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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 provider. n The owner/manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to and engaged with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting in writing 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

12 March 2024 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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