Moorland Nursery School

Inspection of Moorland Nursery School Trinity Court, Leek Road, Stoke On Trent ST9 9NH

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

Staff are very nurturing and caring in their approach. Consequently, children feel safe and happy at the setting. Children explain that they like to come to the setting to play with their friends. Staff know their key children well. Leaders have also developed an effective key-person buddy system. This helps to ensure children receive the care, support and consistency they require in the absence of their key person. Children enjoy sensory experiences, such as sand play. They develop their hand-eye coordination as they pour and empty the sand into a range of containers. Staff talk to the children about size, shape and space as they play, which helps to develop their early mathematical knowledge.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities for the children. They identify what they would like children to learn. The experiences on offer excite children's interests. Consequently, children sustain high levels of engagement in their play. All children make good progress in their learning. They develop the muscles in their hands and fingers as they manipulate play dough. Children pull, stretch, poke and squeeze the play dough to make shapes. They also show their resilience while they attempt to stack, sort and build with a range of resources. They place each piece with careful attention. Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They politely and respectfully remind children of the rules where required.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have taken action to address the concerns raised at their last inspection. All staff have had their suitability checks completed and leaders keep records of these checks. Leaders have also reviewed their safer recruitment procedures. For instance, there are now procedures in place to ensure that staff whose suitability has not been confirmed are not left unsupervised with children. n The curriculum covers all areas of learning. Leaders have sequenced their curriculum well to build on children's knowledge over time. They have clear aims for the children by the time they leave the setting. This includes developing children's independence and social skills. n Planning is based on children's interests and their next steps. There are occasions where some children complete adult-led activities with ease. During these times, some staff do not think well enough about how they can extend these children's learning further.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff talk to parents to find out children's starting points. They then continue to observe and assess children's development. This helps them to identify what children know and can do and where gaps are in their development. When concerns are raised, staff work well alongside parents and other professionals. This ensures that children receive the early help they require.

p.2

need to do better?

26 November 2024 n Staff read stories clearly and with lots of enthusiasm. They ensure all children are able to see the story. Staff give children time to talk about the story and to predict what they think will happen next. Children excitedly shout out their answers and join in with familiar refrains or actions. Staff notice when younger children start to get slightly restless during story times. They offer them specific attention and support. This helps them to quickly re-engage. n Staff support younger children to learn how to wash their hands. Older children wash their hands independently. The setting has lunch catered in from an external provider. They provide their own snacks for the children throughout the day. However, the snacks on offer are not balanced and do not fully promote children's health. n Staff are positive role models to the children. They support children to learn how to share and take turns. Children show an understanding of the routines in

p.2

need to do better?

place. They follow staff's instructions well. n Generally, staff speak highly about the support they receive from leaders. They have regular meetings with leaders. During these meetings, leaders reflect on staff's practice, identify what support is needed and provide some training opportunities. n Parents and grandparents speak highly of the setting. They are pleased with the flexible approach of settling-in sessions. Staff work well in partnership with parents. They provide them with regular updates about their child, which helps them to support their child at home. n Staff celebrate a range of festivals and take the children out and about in the local community. They support children to learn about themselves and others. Consequently, children are respectful to each other. n Leaders update their staffing arrangements regularly. They maintain the correct staffing ratio and qualification requirements. There is a clear leadership structure

p.3

need to do better?

in place. This includes a named manager and deputy manager.

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 support staff to think more carefully about how they can extend children's learning even further when they complete tasks with ease n review and improve the snacks on offer to children to ensure they are more balanced and to promote children's health.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY479517 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10364469 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Shadforth, Mark Fletcher

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01782504258 Date of previous inspection 9 July 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Moorland Nursery School, also known as Trinity Court, registered in 2014 and is located in Stoke-on-Trent. There are currently eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualified teacher status and five hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.45am until 5.45pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the setting and discussed the safety and suitability of it. n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the setting. n The inspector spoke to grandparents and viewed feedback from parents and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

26 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.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