Lower Earley Day Nursery and Pre-School

Inspection of Lower Earley Day Nursery and Pre-School Chalfont Park Pavilion, Chalfont Way,Lower Earley, Reading, Berkshire RG6 5HQ

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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

Children arrive confidently and happily separate from their parents at the door. They are eager to explore the activities that staff have set out for them. Children enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. They develop confidence and make good progress. Staff prioritise supporting independence and older children demonstrate good personal care skills. Furthermore, they readily serve their own food and pour their drinks at lunchtime. Staff praise their success, building children's confidence and self-esteem. Effective key-person arrangements ensure that all children are well supported and their individual needs are met.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff plan a curriculum that is fun and reflects the knowledge about the children to help them progress. Children under two years explore many sensory experiences in a room that is cosy, calm and stimulating. Staff encourage toddlers to explore and be inquisitive as they explore familiar objects in the role-play kitchen area. Pre-school children are encouraged to use their language to make predictions as they listen to familiar stories. They behave well and are familiar with the daily routines and expectations for their behaviour. When children struggle with their emotions, staff are quick to try and help them to resolve minor issues. Children play well together cooperatively. They form close attachments with staff. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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need to do better?

n There have been some recent positive changes to management and the staff team. The manager has a clear vision of what she wants to improve further to make practice even better and ensures the setting provides good-quality inclusive care and education. n Staff know their key children well. Generally, they plan activities that build on children's knowledge and interests. Although at times, staff do not target the learning needs of the younger pre-school children as effectively during group activities. For example, children have many opportunities to practise mark making and develop their muscle strength for early writing. However, staff focus on formal writing before considering if it is developmentally appropriate for all children. n Children under two years benefit from a homely environment. Staff chat softly to younger children and positively encourage them to babble, copy words and develop early communication skills. Children demonstrate their feelings of

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need to do better?

security and comfort in staff's care. Children are resilient, confident in their abilities and take risks in their play. n Overall, staff offer a broad curriculum and have clear expectations of what children can learn. However, some areas of the environment are not as inviting, cosy and fully resourced as others to fully support children's enjoyment, learning

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need to do better?

21 May 2024 and imagination. n Children who speak English as an additional language are valued, respected and supported well in the nursery. Staff ask parents to provide key words in their home language to support children's transition to nursery. Staff use clear language and visual prompts to help children learn English. They teach children about a range of cultures and celebrations that are relevant to the children who attend the nursery. n Older children confidently make choices and decisions about their play, which helps to extend their ideas. Children enjoy supervised access in the resourceful outdoor area. As a result, they can climb apparatus, negotiate space, balance and take part in imaginative play. These opportunities help to enhance children's learning within a safe environment. n Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents receive information about their child's learning and progress and how they can build on the knowledge and skills

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need to do better?

further at home. Parents speak highly of the nursery staff and in particular the positive changes they have noticed in recent months. Staff communicate with parents through an online app and give face-to-face feedback each day. n The manager values and recognises staff's strengths and prioritises their well- being. She meets with staff regularly to discuss their practice and the progress that individual children are making. The management team are proactive in monitoring staff practice and work alongside staff to effectively model practice. However, staff training is not yet fully embedded to precisely focus and sharpen the curriculum implementation and help raise the quality of teaching to consistently higher levels. Staff say that they enjoy working at the nursery and feel very supported.

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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 review small-group time focused activities to ensure that all children are engaged in the learning at their level of understanding n review some areas to create an environment that fully inspires children's learning and supports their thinking and imagination n identify further curriculum training that has specific focus on the areas of learning that need to be strengthened in order to sharpen the quality of education even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 148634 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 10343400 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 80 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Yellow Brick House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0118 9873441 Date of previous inspection 31 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Lower Earley Day Nursery and Pre-School originally registered in 1994 and was taken over by Complete Childcare Limited in 2016. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 10 members of staff. Of these, one holds early years teacher status and seven hold relevant qualifications between level 2 and level 4.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed activities in the three main base rooms and garden. She talked to staff about the progress individual children are making and what they want the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children and the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the arrangements for

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Inspection activities

paediatric first-aid training. The inspector had a discussion with the manager about the evaluation of the setting and plans for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

21 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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