Willow Tree Nursery School

Inspection of Willow Tree Nursery School Chingford Avenue, Clacton-on-sea CO15 4US

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enter the nursery cheerfully and part from their parents and carers with ease. Staff greet them with a smile and welcome them into their base rooms to begin their busy day of learning. Children develop confidence in their abilities from a young age as staff help them to become strong and independent. For example, babies are provided with opportunities to learn how to drink from an open cup, use their cutlery to eat and select resources to extend their learning. Toddlers and pre- school children serve their own meals, pour their own drinks and very quickly learn how to put their coats on and off when they freely access the many outdoor garden spaces.

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The provision is good

Children are keen and active learners. They confidently move around their base rooms and outdoor areas. They are effectively supported by staff who know them well and focus all planning around the children's individual interests, likes and dislikes. Children are well behaved and understand the nursery routines as staff provide them with clear directions, use praise and encouragement to get the best from children and help them to develop respect for each other. Babies who need support are provided with cuddles and comforted by kind and caring staff.

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need to do better?

n The nursery is one of a chain of nurseries under the same company. The company has a strong and effective senior management team in place. The team visits the nursery regularly to check on compliance, to support the day-to- day managers and to review corporate policies and procedures. There have been a number of changes to the staff team over the recent months, which has resulted in some inconsistencies in the delivery of teaching. Although the senior management team is working on ways to strengthen the staff team and create more consistency in the delivery of teaching, it is not yet embedded. n Parents who contributed to the inspection, speak highly of the care their children receive and comment that they feel that their children are safe and well cared for. Many recommend the nursery to friends and family and speak of the core strengths being the effective methods of communication between staff and

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need to do better?

parents. n Staff encourage children's speech and communication as they share conversations, ask questions to extend their learning and encourage them to 'have a voice'. Children engage in discussions with their friends and tell visitors about their nursery day and the things they enjoy doing. n Key persons know the children they are responsible for well. They work effectively with parents and other professionals to help to identify and close any gaps in children's development. Staff receive appropriate training to help them to further develop their understanding of meeting the needs of children with

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need to do better?

23 October 2024 special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Staff generally make good use of the very large nursery and outdoor areas to create a well-organised and interesting environment where children thrive. However, they place less emphasis on using the local community around the nursery as a teaching opportunity. For example, children are not routinely taken out for walks to explore and extend their learning. Staff do not always think carefully enough about the presentation in the rooms. For example, photos of children's family members are displayed too high for them to be seen by babies. n Children develop an understanding about numbers, shapes and colours through both planned activities and child-led play. Staff encourage them to develop skills such as cutting shapes out of paper and identifying shapes in the environment. They use appropriate language to enhance the children's knowledge.

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need to do better?

n Children thoroughly enjoy freely moving between the base rooms and garden areas. Outdoor learning is promoted effectively in all of the garden areas, enabling children to explore natural materials as well as to develop their physical abilities. They proficiently transport toys and resources from one area to another to enhance their games. Children are imaginative and use the resources in whichever way suits their particular play. Staff are on hand to facilitate children's ideas and help them to develop their games further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n strengthen and embed the programme of professional development to support staff in further developing their knowledge, confidence and skills to a consistently high level n make the best possible use of the environment in the nursery and surrounding areas to fully promote and extend children's learning opportunities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2715179 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10370135 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 190 Number of children on roll 189 Name of registered person Storal Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01255 221473 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Willow Tree Nursery School registered in 2023. The nursery employs 31 members of childcare staff, one of whom holds a qualification at level 6, and 23 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. 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 The inspectors spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspectors observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspectors spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation, including in relation to the suitability of staff. n The inspectors and managers completed a learning walk and discussed the curriculum. n The inspectors and management team met to discuss leadership and management.

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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

23 October 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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