Appletree Day Nursery

Inspection of Appletree Day Nursery West Park, Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8PB

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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

Staff are skilled at supporting children who are reluctant to leave their parents. All children settle quickly and develop a sense of belonging. Staff have close bonds with the children and know them well. They cater for children's individual needs and plan effectively for their next steps in learning.

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The provision is good

Children are happy, and they behave well. They share toys and take turns in small group games. Staff encourage children to be kind and work together to complete simple tasks. For example, children help each other to put their aprons on for a painting activity. This helps children form positive relationships with their peers. Children learn about cultures beyond their own experiences. For example, visitors teach children to use African drums and provide traditional clothes for children to dress up in. Children take part in activities to mark a range of multicultural festivals throughout the year. This helps children to respect other cultures while embracing their own.

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The provision is good

The needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are understood and met well by staff. Children with SEND benefit from additional, targeted support that is aimed at reflecting their individual needs, and they are making good progress.

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need to do better?

n The manager provides staff effectively with regular supervisions and identifies training for their professional development. She leads team meetings and puts plans in place to develop the curriculum across the nursery. n Staff skilfully introduce new words and use mathematical language during play. For instance, while playing with toy sea creatures, staff add new, exciting words such as 'scallop' and 'starfish'. They encourage children to count and compare size. This helps to extend children's range of vocabulary and helps them to learn mathematical concepts. n There are good arrangements to promote children's understanding of nature and the world around them. Staff plan activities that children enjoy, such as planting tomatoes in the nursery vegetable patch. They encourage children to remember that plants need water to grow, helping them to understand how to build on their existing knowledge. n The provision for babies is effective and coordinated well. Babies are happy and

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need to do better?

have good attachments with their key persons. They enjoy snuggling up with staff to look at books. Staff introduce key words as babies enthusiastically point to pictures and help turn the page. Staff provide space for babies to move around and explore the room independently. They encourage babies to pull themselves up and climb on steps to help develop their strength and physical

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need to do better?

29 May 2024 skills. Staff have good routines in place and respond swiftly to babies' needs. They follow babies sleep patterns and closely monitor them when sleeping. n Staff plan well to support the curious toddlers who relish exploring sensory resources. For example, toddlers spend time at the water tray, fully engrossed in pouring water from teapots into cups. Staff play alongside and sing familiar nursery rhymes, successfully supporting children to remain engaged in their play. Staff repeat key words to encourage language skills and praise children for their achievements. As a result, children develop their concentration skills and their vocabulary. n Staff in the pre-school room prepare children well for their move to school. They ensure that children are emotionally ready and have the practical skills that they will need. For example, they encourage children to take care of their personal possessions and follow routines. Staff liaise with feeder schools, and teachers

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need to do better?

visit the setting to meet the children. This helps children move comfortably to the next stage of their education. n Staff teach children about being healthy and looking after their bodies. For example, children learn about making healthy choices and choosing food that will help them grow. Staff use resources effectively to help children learn to look after their teeth. These experiences help children to adopt a healthy lifestyle. n The onsite chef cooks nutritious food for children. There are robust systems in place to ensure that all children's dietary requirements are met. For example, there are visual aids with a photo of the child and full details of their needs. All children are closely monitored when eating. This ensures that children are kept safe at mealtimes. n There are some inconsistencies in the quality of opportunities for children to learn practical skills. Some staff do not recognise when children would benefit

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need to do better?

from more encouragement to try to master tasks themselves. At these times, children's independence is not fully 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 strengthen opportunities for all children to develop their independence skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 122529 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10346919 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 56 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 07585 882 353 Date of previous inspection 17 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Appletree Day Nursery registered in 1984. It is owned and run by the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust and is based in Epsom, Surrey. The nursery employs 15 members of staff, including staff who do not have contact with children. Of these, one holds early years professional status, one holds qualified teacher status, two are qualified at level 6 and seven are qualified from level 2 to level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery 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 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 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 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 SEND. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents 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

29 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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Inspection activities

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