Whitchurch CE Primary School Nursery

Inspection of Whitchurch CE Primary School Nursery Whitchurch VA School, Whitchurch, Ross-on-wye HR9 6DA

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Inspection date: 3 May 2024 - 3 July 2024

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Staff create a positive, calm and stimulating learning environment for children. This helps children of all ages to remain focused, engaged and enthused to learn. Babies are naturally curious and staff cater to this well as they plan exciting experiences for them. This includes flour and coffee play. Babies laugh in awe as the mixture leaves their hands and falls to the floor. They develop strength in their arms and hands as they use a range of equipment to fill and empty containers. Toddlers have fun baking apple muffins. Staff talk to them about what their bodies need and introduce lots of mathematical language. Older children are supported to take risks in their play, and they construct and design with purpose. Staff provide them with a range of tools during woodwork, such as hammers, screws and washers. They give them time to think for themselves about how they can overcome their problems. This helps to nurture children's critical thinking skills.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have a strong understanding of how to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and offer the right support. Children's knowledge of what they learn shines through as they play. They talk to each other about what staff have taught them, including in-depth information about the life cycle of a butterfly. They spend considerable periods creating wonderful masterpieces as they draw pictures of caterpillars and butterflies. Staff provide babies and younger children with many opportunities to learn about their emotions. They talk to them about the importance of keeping themselves safe while they play. As children get older, staff support them to understand how they can start to solve conflicts and how their actions impact on others. This helps children to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Children behave exceptionally well.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are inspiring. They have a clear vision for the setting and high ambitions for each child to ensure they thrive. This vision is shared by all staff who go above and beyond to ensure all children receive the best support, care and early years education. Staff are deployed well to ensure children are kept safe. n Leaders have an in-depth knowledge of the local community they serve. They regularly review and adjust the type of service on offer to children and their families. This ensures the provision consistently meets their needs. n Leaders have designed and implemented an unquestionably ambitious and varied curriculum. It is sequenced exceptionally well. Staff plan high-quality learning experiences that capture children's curiosity and extend their knowledge and skills. Children leave the setting well equipped for the next stage of learning. n Children consistently hear rich language from staff, which builds their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

Staff use signs and encourage babies and younger children to make sounds and

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need to do better?

3 May 2024 copy words. Staff extend older children's language by introducing new words, modelling language and narrating play. Staff read stories with an array of accents and animation. This helps to capture children's attention. Consequently, children of all ages develop a love of books and reading. They often retell stories they have heard. n Staff's exceptional knowledge of their key children allows them to identify and plan for any gaps in their development. They work in partnership with others to implement strategies to enhance children's progress. This ensures that children with SEND thrive and receive swift support. n Leaders prioritise staff well-being, monitor the overall quality of the setting and adjust practice and workloads if needed. This helps staff to fulfil their roles to an exceptionally high standard. Staff attend innovative training. They are currently implementing a new approach which has a sharp focus on improving children's

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need to do better?

and staff's well-being. The training on offer to staff helps to raise their confidence, knowledge and skills to the highest level. n Leaders closely collaborate with parents. Staff complete home visits with all new children to find out about their individual needs. They continue to work closely with parents to keep them informed about their child's development and ways they can support their child at home. Parents are overwhelmed by the amount of support, love and care both they and their children receive. n Leaders and staff support children's emotional health and well-being, particularly as they prepare to leave the setting. There is a one-year transition process in place which is integral to the curriculum. This includes children regularly interacting with their new school teachers and visiting school. Staff speak to children about their emotions and feelings and actions they can take if they feel

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need to do better?

nervous. This supports children to feel safe and secure as they embark on this key transition. n All children have lots of opportunities to build on their independence as they complete tasks for themselves. They show high levels of perseverance as staff give them tips for how they can achieve their goals. This includes assisting with care routines, dressing and serving their own food. n Staff provide children with rich experiences that develop their awareness of the wider world. For example, they take children out in the local community to explore nature and meet other people. This allows children to learn about and gain respect for others. n Staff are incredibly positive role models for children. They immediately praise children when they follow the golden rules. Consequently, babies and younger children eagerly show staff what they are doing well. Older children consistently use good manners, take turns and play cooperatively with their friends.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 2661386 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10335049 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 52 Number of children on roll 50

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Name of registered person

Whitchurch CE Primary School Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 01600 890571 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Whitchurch CE Primary School Nursery registered in 2021. It is situated in Whitchurch, Herefordshire. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds qualified teacher status. The setting opens Monday to Friday, all year around, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 5.15pm. The setting 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 inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspection started on 3 May 2024. Inspectors returned on 3 July 2024 to gather additional evidence in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: Deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy. n Leaders completed a learning walk with the inspectors and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspectors carried out joint observations with the manager. n The manager showed the inspectors documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors spoke to staff, children and parents 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

3 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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