Thrive Astbury Lane

Inspection of Corner House Nursery Astbury 1 Astbury Lane Ends, Congleton CW12 3AY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are welcomed with enthusiasm by the manager and staff of this nursery. Their personal development is exceptional. Staff spend time building secure attachments with children of all age groups. Babies are reassured by staff as they shuffle to the inspector to share their puppets and building blocks. Children discuss the benefits and texture of healthy foods. They talk with staff about the need for toothpaste as they learn about teeth and sugar in foods. Children learn the importance of overall health and development.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff have a strong focus on communication and the importance of extending vocabulary. Babies eagerly anticipate puppets coming out of a box. They make animal noises as they appear. Toddlers snuggle in with staff as they read books together, copying words that staff model. Pre-school children remember what plants need to grow. They talk about water coming up from the roots as staff skilfully teach them how plants drink water using 'capillary action'. All staff regularly read and sing with children across the nursery. Children build on their existing vocabulary and language skills. Children generally behave well. They listen and respond positively to adults and each other.

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need to do better?

n The management team has crafted an ambitious vision for providing high-quality care and education. Staff praise them for the support they receive regarding their workload and overall well-being. Regular supervision meetings ensure that staff have good knowledge of child development; however, this is not applied consistently in practice. For example, at times, toilet training begins when children are not ready. This does not always build on children's capabilities. n The nursery has an extremely inclusive and supportive approach for all children. Gaps in learning are swiftly identified. For example, staff make timely referrals and create individual plans to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, children with SEND make good progress from their starting points. n Staff prioritise opportunities to develop children's emotional language. Children express their feelings as they attach their names to the feelings board at the

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need to do better?

beginning of each session. Staff model emotions, using storybooks, engaging children in conversations and teaching them emotion-related vocabulary. Children quickly learn empathy and begin to understand and express their emotions. n Partnership with parents is a strength of this nursery. Parents and carers confirm that staff provide emotional support and personalised attention to both them and their children. They are particularly impressed with the effective communication that helps them to stay informed about their child's next steps in

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need to do better?

18 July 2024 learning. n The nursery excels in supporting children through transitions, including starting nursery and moving to school. Staff meticulously organise visits from Reception teachers and provide thoughtfully planned resources, such as family photo books, to help ease these transitions. As a result, children' confidence flourishes and they are exceptionally prepared for new environments. n Staff encourage children's independence effectively. Children pour their own drinks and help to clean any spills. They help to serve their own food at mealtimes and use cutlery effectively. Children are encouraged to use tissues and wash their hands afterwards. Children have many opportunities to gain confidence as they develop self-reliance and practical life skills. n Children thrive through exceptional indoor and outdoor opportunities that enhance their physical development. Babies, who are beginning to pull up to

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need to do better?

standing, develop their core strength by crawling and climbing on the apparatus. Toddlers use their small muscles to squash shells into play dough. Older children use their small muscles to cut flower stems and squeeze pipettes. Children develop their overall physical coordination through age-appropriate challenges and sensory experiences. n Children are deeply engaged in rich experiences to learn about cultural festivals. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language effectively. For example, older children learn sign language to help them understand alternative ways to communicate with others. Children gain a rich understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. n Staff encourage children's positive behaviour. However, when older children display some unwanted behaviour, staff do not always give clear messages to help them understand and learn what is expected of them. Consequently,

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need to do better?

children do not always understand the importance of following rules.

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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 ensure all staff have a secure understanding of child development to enable them to consistently build on children's capabilities n support staff to consistently deliver clear behaviour expectations to older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501263 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10347076 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 65 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person The Village Nursery Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01260 281 444 Date of previous inspection 31 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Astbury Lane registered in 2016. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk of the setting. n Children spoke to the inspector 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 The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and read their written feedback. She took account of their views. n Examples of relevant documents were sampled and reviewed by the inspector. She checked evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector conducted a joint observation of practice alongside a setting

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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

18 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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