First Friends Nursery School

Inspection of First Friends Nursery School The Scout Building, Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8PJ

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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 quickly settle to play on arrival. They build positive and caring relationships with staff. Children have a strong understanding about the expectations and daily routines. For example, older children line up and wait sensibly until staff have counted them, before walking calmly outside to play. Staff support younger children's recognition of their emotions and feelings consistently, such as using books and talking about their feelings. Children develop skills and knowledge to support their future learning successfully. For instance, many children gain high levels of confidence. They build their independence effectively, such as young children pouring their drinks and older children using tongs to serve their healthy snacks.

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The provision is good

Staff have a strong knowledge and understanding of children's individual learning needs. They generally provide consistent and effective interactions to children. Staff gain a wide range of information about children's backgrounds and individual needs when children start. This helps them include these successfully. For example, staff provide dual language books and support the use of children's home languages. Staff work very effectively with parents and other professionals to provide seamless support for children with additional needs. They regularly assess children's progress and identify their next steps in learning. Staff incorporate children's interests very well in the positive learning environment. They mainly offer very carefully planned and interesting activities, which successfully promote children's enthusiasm for their play and learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are very familiar to staff and children. They monitor the quality of practice consistently and identify improvements. For instance, leaders have revised induction processes to strengthen these, which helps new staff understand their roles and responsibilities securely. There are very good support systems provided to staff, both for their well-being and professional development. This includes supervision arrangements and the development of their ongoing practice, such as through training. n The curriculum is well-thought-out and sequenced. Staff consider children's different learning needs effectively. They have a strong understanding of the learning intentions of activities and play experiences. They know children very well and their key children's next steps in learning. This enables staff to support and promote children's progress securely. n Staff plan and offer children a variety of play resources and activities which

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need to do better?

promote their engagement in learning. Occasionally, some areas are not as well resourced, particularly for the older children outside. For instance, many older children enjoyed the mud kitchen. However, there were not many resources to

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need to do better?

5 July 2024 choose from, to help enhance and develop their play further. n Children with additional needs are very well supported. This includes children who speak English as an additional language and those who need more support for their learning and development. Staff use a variety of strategies to engage with children, including Makaton signing and picture cards to support communication. In addition, the nursery's special educational needs coordinator provides small group and individual activities tailored to children's needs. For example, children benefit from language-focused activities, which develop their pronunciation and widens their vocabulary. n Children confidently make their own choices about what to do. They explore and investigate resources and activities with curiosity. At times, staff do not always consider supporting children who happily play with resources and activities by themselves, to help extend their learning further.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's relationships with each other, such as playing games of catch. They positively praise children for their efforts. Staff support children's understanding about the behaviour expectations from the youngest age group, such as turn taking and sharing. This was seen during the inspection, when younger children played a game of lotto and took turns and made decisions as a group. In addition, the game supported children's listening and concentration skills effectively. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. Staff provide healthy snacks, such as a wide range of fruit and vegetables. Children become independent in their self- care, including visiting the toilet and washing their hands. Staff promote children's awareness of caring for their bodies, such as learning about dental health. n Staff have strong partnerships with parents, other professionals and local schools. They exchange information effectively with everyone involved in

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need to do better?

children's care and learning. This provides a consistent approach to meeting children's needs. Staff provide effective information and support to provide a successful move to school for children. Parents are very complimentary about the nursery and their children's experiences there.

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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 enhance staff's awareness of children who are quieter or more content to play alone to provide more effective teaching and support to these children

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should:

5 July 2024 n enhance resources for the older children, particularly outdoors, to promote their play experiences and choices further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538214 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10351218 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person First Friends Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01256 320290 Date of previous inspection 16 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

First Friends Nursery School re-registered in 2016. It is located in Chineman, Basingstoke, Hampshire. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3pm, term time only. There are eight members of staff employed to work with the children. Of these, seven staff hold recognised early years qualifications. This includes five staff who have level 3 qualifications, one staff member with a level 2 qualification and the manager who has a level 5 qualification. The provider receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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 nursery and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The quality and curriculum manager and the nursery manager took the inspector on a learning walk and talked about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the nominated individual and other leaders during the inspection. 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. n A joint observation was completed with the manager of a language group activity.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector 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

5 July 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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