Otters Nursery Schools Ltd

Inspection of Otters Nursery Schools Ltd Otters Nursery School, The Old Dairy, Farleigh Road, BASINGSTOKE, Hampshire RG25 2JS

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Overall, staff provide children with a well-planned curriculum which they adapt to reduce any gaps in children's development. As a result, children make good progress. For example, staff use photographs of different activities to help less confident children make choices and feel emotionally secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff set clear expectations for children's behaviour, encouraging them to work together during their play. Staff often use techniques, such as dimmed lighting for short periods of time, to provide children with a learning environment that helps them feel calm.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff successfully develop children's understanding of the world. For example, they support children's understanding of events such as autumn and harvest, during walks in the local environment and outings to a church. Additionally, staff teach children about the community and other people's lives. For instance, they invite children to bring food from home to contribute to a food bank. Children develop a sense of pride as they help staff load a van with the items they donate.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children well to develop and use their imagination. For instance, they help children to dress dolls and encourage them to share their ideas during their play. Children thoroughly enjoy making 'soup' using mud and water in an outdoor play kitchen.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers are highly committed to continually improving children's care and learning. In the short time the nursery has been under new ownership, they have worked with staff and the local authority to make changes that have significantly improved outcomes for children. For example, they have successfully improved children's safety, ensuring the premises is safe and that children are well supervised at all times. n Managers meet with staff individually to discuss their well-being and training needs. They regularly observe staff practice, role modelling and supporting staff to continually improve their professional development. However, managers do not always monitor closely enough to make sure that all staff are consistent in challenging and extending children's learning during activities. For instance, staff do not always notice when younger children play repetitively with the same resources. Consequently, there are times when children are not fully challenged

p.2

need to do better?

in their learning and development. n Staff support children to develop the skills they need for the future. For example, while reading stories and singing rhymes, staff skilfully develop children's listening skills, concentration and confidence to participate in group activities.

p.2

need to do better?

30 September 2024 They support children to learn and use a wide range of vocabulary, for example, as they talk aloud during children's play and engage children in conversation. n Staff support children well to develop physical skills, for instance, they help them learn to balance while using swings attached to trees. They plan activities that successfully capture children's interest and develop their hand-eye coordination. For example, they show children how to use spoons to transfer powder paint between different containers. Children learn how to use tools safely during cooking activities. n Staff respond to children's individual emotional needs, providing reassurance that helps them to feel happy and settled. For example, staff sometimes use pictures and photographs to develop children's understanding of what happens next during daily routines. n Staff successfully gain children's cooperation. They teach children to share and

p.2

need to do better?

take turns, for example, using sand timers and watches during their play. Children are happy, motivated learners who behave well. n Staff support children well to develop good independence. They focus strongly on helping children learn to do as much as possible for themselves. For example, as a result of improvements staff have made to routines, children confidently choose and use accessible resources, help themselves to cutlery at mealtimes and wipe their faces after eating. n Managers and staff work hard to build strong partnership with parents and meet children's individual needs. There are clear aims to involve parents as much as possible in children's learning. However, managers do not make sure that staff consistently share information with all parents about the food children eat at the nursery and at home to support their good health further.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first

p.3

should:

n strengthen support for staff so that all children's learning is consistently challenged and extended to support their good progress further n strengthen information shared with parents about all children's dietary needs to support their good health further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY474524 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10345020 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Otters Nursery Schools Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01256 336880 Date of previous inspection 10 April 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Otters Nursery Schools Ltd re-registered in July 2024. It is located in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, 51 weeks a year. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged one, two, three and four years. There are 16 staff employed, of which 11 hold relevant qualifications from level 2 to level 6.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed how staff support children during indoor and outdoor activities and assessed the impact this has on their learning. n The inspector spoke with parents, managers, staff and children during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk and joint observations together.

p.4

Inspection activities

30 September 2024 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

30 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6