Willow Tree Day Nursery Biddulph

Inspection of Willow Tree Day Nursery Biddulph Nursery House, Craigside, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 6BN

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Leaders have put risk assessments in place, but these are not always fully effective in minimising all risks to children. However, once risks are identified, such as trip and slip hazards to toddlers, leaders take action to ensure the environment is safe for children to play in. Nevertheless, staff are kind and caring. Children are mainly happy and settled. Staff sensitively support children who are not as well settled, giving them comfort and reassurance. Staff have a good understanding of children's interests and use these well. For example, they encourage less-confident children to participate in activities using their favourite toys.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Overall, leaders are ambitious for every child to make progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff skilfully adapt activities as appropriate to ensure that all children have access to the same opportunities. For example, staff use simple sign language to ensure children can understand instructions effectively. Staff are clear and consistent across the nursery with behaviour management strategies, as a result, overall, children behave well. They use lots of praise to encourage and strengthen good behaviour and teach children strategies to share.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of the required information within the expected notification timescale. This includes changes in the address of the premises, and seeking approval to operate from those premises, where appropriate. Although this was only temporary while maintenance work was being carried out, it is still a breach of the requirements. n Staff demonstrate a clear intention for children to have a wide range of learning opportunities. However, they do not always have a good enough understanding of how the environment indoors influences children's learning. For example, loud noise levels from some staff and children hinder other children's attention and focus. This has an impact on children's ability to learn effectively. n Children have plenty of opportunities to exercise. For example, they climb large equipment and ride on toys outside. Children build hand strength as they squeeze play dough and use tools to make marks with paint. They learn to

p.2

need to do better?

access their drinks outside and remain hydrated on hot days. Older children pour their own water from small jugs indoors. This helps children develop their muscles and balance and learn how to stay healthy. n Staff use children's interests when planning activities and responding to their play. For example, some older children are extremely interested in planets. Staff provide books and resources with interesting information that children discuss as they draw and create planets with different features. This ensures that children engage and are curious to find out more.

p.2

need to do better?

17 May 2024 n The youngest children sit together at mealtimes and demonstrate good social skills, and feed themselves from a very young age. However, children sit waiting at the tables before staff are ready. This can sometimes lead to children waiting for periods and they become frustrated and restless while they wait for their food and drink. n Parents are pleased with the nursery and speak very highly of the staff. They receive regular communication about their children's experiences via daily feedback and an online childcare system. Parents are happy with the support they receive from staff and how settled their children are at the nursery. n The manager ensures that she uses additional funding appropriately to further support children's learning and development. For example, she uses funding to allow staff to work on a one-to-one basis with children and provide the interventions they may need. n Staff benefit from individual supervision meetings and regular training. For

p.2

need to do better?

example, staff attend specific baby training to extend their knowledge on how to care for this age group. Staff have attended training on sign language to help them further support children's communication and language skills. This has had a positive impact, as some children now use simple sign language as part of their communication skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

strengthen staff understanding of the risk assessment procedures to swiftly identify and rectify any minor hazards in the environment where children have access 07/06/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that procedures are in place to provide Ofsted with all necessary information about significant changes. 07/06/2024

p.3

should:

17 May 2024 n ensure the organisation of the environment and planned activities indoors, meet the needs and engagement of children, particularly concerning reducing noise levels n improve the organisation of lunchtime routines so staff are fully prepared, and children do not have to wait unnecessarily.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2553057 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10343651 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Willow Tree Day Nursery (biddulph) Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01782 518484 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Willow Tree Nursery Biddulph registered in 2019. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, eight hold level 3 and three hold level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.15am to 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

17 May 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.

p.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7