Finlay Eec

Inspection of Finlay Nursery Finlay Childrens Centre, Tredworth Road, GLOUCESTER GL4 6TL

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children build positive relationships with the kind and caring staff, who know them and their families well. They enjoy attending the nursery and separate from their parents or carers with ease. Staff identify when children need extra support and offer reassurance and cuddles, helping all children to feel safe and secure. Children access a spacious learning environment and independently access a range of inviting resources.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

The quality of teaching at the nursery is not yet good enough. Staff aim to plan a curriculum that considers children's starting points and focuses on developing their independent learning skills and self-regulation. However, staff do not differentiate their intentions for children's learning between the toddler and pre-school rooms. They do not consistently sequence the curriculum to effectively build on what children already know and can do to help them make the progress they are capable of.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Despite this, children experience some meaningful learning opportunities. Staff help young children to improve their listening and attention skills through regular group story sessions. Children sit well because staff remind them of their expectations. They engage with staff, who encourage them to follow instructions and become involved in story time. For example, they blow a kiss to the character to help spread kindness and defeat the 'baddies'. Staff support older children's imaginative play, participating in role play activities beside them. Children show care and consideration for a doll as they pretend she needs to visit the hospital.

p.2

need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is inconsistent across the nursery and staff's engagement with children varies throughout the day. At times, staff react to children's individual learning needs rather than proactively supporting them to achieve their next steps in learning. For example, while staff aim to promote turn taking and self-regulation during free play, they do not set clear expectations at the start, leading some children to disagree and become frustrated before staff intervene. Additionally, staff do not consistently use planned strategies, such as visual aids, to help children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to manage their behaviour and express their wants and needs. n Staff plan a curriculum to help children develop the skills required for future learning, such as the move to school. However, they do not ensure the planned curriculum is effectively implemented and aligned with children's developmental

p.2

need to do better?

needs and capabilities. For example, during outdoor play in the forest area, which is intended to promote children's independent learning skills, staff focus

p.2

need to do better?

22 November 2024 their interactions on only a few children. Other children wander around and do not engage in purposeful play because they lack the skills to do so without meaningful interactions from staff. n Staff help children understand the importance of healthy practices, such as handwashing before mealtimes. They encourage children to independently choose snacks and select between milk or water. With staff guidance, children show good handling skills as they pour their drinks into cups. Staff encourage children to try new foods, modelling how to cut them so children know what is available. Although interactions at snack time are generally positive, staff do not talk about the importance of healthy foods and drinks to deepen children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. Staff regularly share information about children's learning and development through daily

p.2

need to do better?

conversations at drop-off and pick-up, as well as via online learning records and the nursery's social media page. They encourage parents to support learning at home through a 'lending library' that fosters a love of books and reinforces early literacy skills. Parents feel included in their children's learning and praise the warm relationships their children have with staff. They report that their children have grown in confidence since attending. n Leaders make appropriate referrals to outside agencies, such as the speech and language team and occupational health services, to support children with additional learning needs. They ensure additional funding is used effectively, such as purchasing sensory equipment for the soft play room. n Leaders are open and honest about ongoing recruitment challenges and currently use agency staff to meet ratio requirements. They are committed to building a consistent team and meet regularly with staff to talk about daily

p.3

need to do better?

practice and their well-being. Staff are receiving additional training from the local authority to enhance their understanding of best practice. This training aims to improve their knowledge and skills, enabling them to better support all children in making the best possible progress.

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

Due date

22 November 2024 ensure staff receive targeted support and guidance to improve the quality of teaching and consistently engage and support all children in their play and learning 20/12/2024

p.3

Due date

plan and implement an ambitious and sequenced curriculum that meets children's developmental needs, and supports all children to make the best possible progress in their learning and development 20/12/2024

p.4

should:

n provide children with more experiences to learn about the benefits of making healthy food choices to further support their understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY539415 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10364242 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Barnardo's

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01452 417060 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Finlay Nursery registered in 2016 and is situated in a children's centre in the Tredworth area of Gloucester. The nursery operates from 8.30am until 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The nursery employs four members of staff who are supported by agency staff when required. All four members of staff hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out two joint observations with the manager, including an outdoor group activity and snack time. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

22 November 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7