Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Fenny Stratford

Inspection of Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Fenny Stratford Chantry House, 11-13 Watling Street, Bletchley, MILTON KEYNES MK2 2BU

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

Children form close and relaxed relationships, with warm and friendly staff. Children feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they can express their feelings and views. They are well behaved and are consistently praised for acts of kindness and achievements. Children are encouraged to make their own decisions. They are supported by perceptive staff. This allows children to grow in their independence and they display high levels of emotional well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop the physical skills they need in preparation for future writing. For example, they strengthen their hand muscles through a range of mark making opportunities inside and outside, supported by skilled staff. Babies hold chunky crayons and are encouraged by nurturing staff, to make marks for purpose on the large paper set out on the floor. Toddlers enjoy exploring the bubbles outside. Staff model and guide children to use movements to direct the large wands to create their bubbles. They squeal with delight as they pop the bubbles. Pre-school children are competent eating lunch with cutlery and use scissors safely. A number of children are beginning to recognise the letters in their names and one child is delighted to tell the inspector how their name has nine letters in it, which is just one short of 10. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, (SEND) demonstrate that they are confident and comfortable at the setting. They form

p.2

The provision is good

special bonds with staff, who know them well. Staff are patient and calm. All children make good progress from their starting points.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager, who is also the special educational needs coordinator, is knowledgeable about ensuring children's individual needs are prioritised. She works confidently with external agencies and has implemented effective strategies to provide early intervention where required. This includes children with SEND and those children who are in receipt of additional funding. This supports all children to make progress in their development and helps them to reach the next steps in their development. n Partnerships with parents are strong. The manager and staff team strive to build good relationships with parents to ensure they are happy and know their children are safe. Regular meetings and information sharing with parents helps them to support their child's learning at home. Parents praise the staff. They say the children settle quickly with nurturing staff and their children are thriving. n Staff know the broad aims for children's learning. The nursery curriculum is

p.2

need to do better?

designed to continually build on the skills children need to be successful learners. Staff understand the intent of the curriculum. However, there are occasions when leaders are not identifying when some staff do not target teaching precisely enough. For example, some staff are unclear on the specific

p.2

need to do better?

30 May 2024 learning intentions for activities and how these support children's development. n A strong key-person system is in place. All staff get to know children well. This includes fully understanding their individual personalities, including their likes and dislikes. All children behave well and are gaining in confidence. n Staff implement the literacy curriculum effectively. Children experience a wide range of books. They excitedly listen when practitioners enthusiastically read stories to them. Staff plan trips to the local library and provide books for children to take home, including for children learning English as an additional language. Children develop a love of reading. n Leaders have effective oversight of the day-to-day management and have a clear vision for the nursery. They know the importance of continuous professional development for staff and its impact on practice. Leaders provide

p.2

need to do better?

staff with regular meetings, reviews and observations. The manager feels supported in her role and nursery staff report their well-being is good. n Independence is promoted well throughout the nursery. Children are encouraged to find their own coats and put these on. Pre-school children eat their lunch in the dining area and serve their own food. They mirror learning that they will follow at school. Pre-school children enjoy having responsibilities, such as setting up the dining area, ready for lunch for them and their toddler friends. This gives them a sense of pride and boosts self-esteem. n Staff promote children's understanding of others successfully. For example, children are encouraged to bring in photos of their families to learn about each other. Staff share their own photos and talk about who is at home with them. This helps children to feel included and to learn that all families are special.

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

should:

n support individual staff to fully understand the intent behind the curriculum to more precisely identify, and plan for, individual children's learning needs.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY549195 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10347093 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Ashbourne Day Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01908 277356 Date of previous inspection 23 August 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Fenny Stratford registered in 2017 and is situated in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm, from Monday to Friday throughout the year. There are 11 staff working with the children. Of these, one who has a qualification at level 5 and four staff have qualifications to level 3. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery has received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and regional staff, and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and the deputy manager through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through verbal and written feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager carried out a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector looked at a sample of the documentation. This included evidence of staff suitability and qualification records.

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

30 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.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