Countryside Pre-School Nursery

Inspection of Countryside Pre-School Nursery Little Canfield Village Hall, Stortford Road, Little Canfield, DUNMOW, Essex CM6 1SW

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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

Leaders and staff have created a wonderfully warm and welcoming environment where children feel at home. There is a lovely sense of calm as children go about their play and learning. They make excellent use of the cosy home-living area, where they relax on child-sized chairs and chat to their friends.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. Staff set clear and consistent boundaries for children and ensure that all children are aware of their expectations. For instance, children remember that they use 'walking feet' inside to prevent accidents. Staff are warm and nurturing towards children. They help them to understand a range of feelings. Children demonstrate their understanding of these as they manage conflict and deal with their own emotions. They are becoming kind and caring individuals as they develop empathy for others.

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The provision is good

Children are highly motivated. The engaging environment supports and sustains children's learning and development. Leaders have carefully considered their curriculum intent and staff use their secure knowledge of children to teach and inspire children. For example, outside at the 'beach', children giggle with joy as they experience the feel of sand on their feet. They build sandcastles and dig for shells. This provides a rich opportunity for all children to access an authentic experience.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a curriculum that stretches and challenges children. They are very clear about the learning intentions for all children and how each area supports the areas of learning. Staff provide children with an open environment where their learning interlinks across the provision. n Communication and language are supported. Babies show an early love of reading as they share well-loved stories with staff. Older children join in with songs and rhymes, following familiar actions. They access story baskets filled with books and supporting resources. Staff narrate alongside children's play, developing their vocabulary. However, they do not always make the most of opportunities to introduce new and exciting words that help to stretch children's thinking and broaden their knowledge. n Children are valued as individuals. Their artwork and photos are respectfully presented in frames in their environment. Children's voices are valued as they

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need to do better?

contribute to ideas and plans for the nursery. As a result, children demonstrate high levels of confidence and have a secure sense of belonging. They show high levels of involvement and well-being. This contributes to the excellent behaviour that children demonstrate. n Children are physically active. They use the outdoor space with enthusiasm as

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need to do better?

21 May 2024 they run, climb and develop their large motor skills. Staff support children's early writing through activities that develop their fine motor skills and muscle strength. For example, children mould and sculpt with dough, snip paper with scissors, and serve food with tongs. n Mathematics is promoted across the nursery, using mathematical language and visual aids. Staff engage children in fun counting games, such as stacking the correct number of rings on a wooden stand. Staff use words such as 'more' and 'less'. Consequently, children are developing a good awareness of number recognition and value. n Staff use evaluation to identify the progress children make and where they may be falling behind. Staff have a secure understanding of how children learn and the expected progress they make. They use this knowledge effectively to ensure that effective arrangements are put in place to support children who may be

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need to do better?

struggling. n Parents feel valued. They speak highly of the care and education their children receive. Parents feel well informed about the progress their children make and how they can help at home. They enjoy the parent consultations and hearing about the progress children make. n Leaders seek ways to evaluate their provision, including using accreditation schemes. They use research and guidance from external agencies to develop new ways of working that support improvements in the curriculum and teaching. Staff receive regular supervision and feedback about their practice. Leaders offer guidance and support to all staff and coach and mentor temporary staff to ensure the quality of teaching remains high.

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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 support staff to use a broader range of new and interesting words during activities to further extend children's vocabulary, strengthening their curiosity and knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY299391 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10339385 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 38 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Brown, Susan

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reference number

Telephone number 07860381847 Date of previous inspection 15 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Countryside Pre-School Nursery registered in 1987. It is located in the village of Little Canfield in Essex. It employs five members of childcare staff. Four staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery operates from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity outside. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. The inspector also observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager, deputy manager and the inspector discussed the leadership and management in the nursery. This included the manager showing the inspector

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Inspection activities

documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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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Inspection activities

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