Bolitho Nursery

Inspection of Bolitho Nursery Bolitho Nursery, Polwithen Road, Penzance TR18 4JR

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this rich learning environment where highly skilled staff guide them with respect and understanding. Children's well supported curiosity and engagement foster a keen desire to learn. The ambitious curriculum is well embedded and effective. All children make exceptional progress. In the nurturing baby room, babies receive plenty of cuddles. They smile and babble, developing hand to eye coordination, lying on their backs, they touch wooden items hanging from a mobile frame. Children feel safe and secure. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported by the staff team.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for what children can achieve for their age and help children build exceptional personal care and problem solving skills. Pre-schoolers assess the weather and decide what they need to wear when outdoors. Children confidently announce what day it is and the starting letter of many words. After meals, toddlers look in a mirror and wipe their faces clean. Staff serve lunch in a café style, allowing children to choose when to eat. They can continue playing or join others in small, chatty groups enjoying lunch. Staff skilfully challenge children to develop their own ideas, table manners, and social skills.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff superbly guide children to develop rich intergenerational relationships through weekly visits to a nearby nursing home. During visits from the fire service, children are supported to build those relationships further, learning about the fire service together with the care home residents. Staff plan activities with ambitious learning aims. For example, children explore their emotions with the nursing home residents during shared therapy pony sessions. Daily walks in large outdoor areas guide babies and toddlers to build their understanding of animals and plants. In the 'duck garden,' pre-schoolers learn how to care for animals. They ask questions, like 'Why do ducks like to eat wet grass?'. The 'duck garden' unites the nursery community, for example parents take turns to help care for the ducks on weekends.

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need to do better?

n There is an inspiring focus on helping children understand the wider world and different cultures. Staff teach pre-school children how to say hello in Spanish, French, and Mandarin. To support babies from multilingual families, staff learn and use simple words in those languages. Staff provide superb support so children develop communication skills from an early age. Parents are invited in to the nursery to read stories to children in their own languages, such as German, French, and Cornish. They support children to share and explore food from various cultures. n A strong focus is placed on helping children develop rapid progress in their physical skills. Babies have ample opportunities to lie on their tummies, which

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need to do better?

20 January 2025 builds back strength and helps them learn to roll over. Staff praise children's achievements. As toddlers navigate a balance beam, they show high levels of skill as they develop their core strength. Older children are precisely guided to refine their coordination by digging holes in the soil with large spades. When working together to fill a wheelbarrow with sand, they fully engage, gain confidence and improve their manoeuvring skills. n Children are expertly guided to explore creatively as they learn about art during regular sessions in the nursery Art Studio with the local museum team. Museum staff visit the nursery, inspiring children to understand traditional paintings by famous artists. Many of these paintings feature local scenes, helping children further connect with their community. They are encouraged to express their own ideas through various forms, including painting, modelling, and role-play.

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need to do better?

n The provider prioritises staff well-being, and staff feel very well supported and highly valued in their roles. They report that working conditions are excellent and that they are inspired by regular training opportunities. Staff retention is exceptional. This, in turn, has a positive impact on children's relationships and learning journeys. Links with local schools are highly effective. Staff take children on taster days to schools and children are supported to be more confident and secure in what to expect when they start school. n Staff know that strong relationships with parents boost children's learning and development. Parents often visit the nursery to have breakfast with their children and explore the learning environments. Staff create a full events calendar, inviting parents to join activities like parenting classes and celebration festivals. Parents say the take-home learning packs are very helpful during times of

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need to do better?

change, such as a new sibling arriving or when children need help with personal care or communication skills. n The curriculum has a strong focus on guiding children to develop their communication skills and build a wide vocabulary. Staff ask relevant questions that give children the opportunity to think and comment. When helping pre- school children build a maths puzzle, staff introduce new words, such as "pattern" and "sequence". Pre-school children excel for their age and speak confidently in sentences of 10 words. They revel in looking at books and skilfully retell stories using their own words.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541715 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10368277 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 44 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Cornwallis Care Services Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01736332677 Date of previous inspection 14 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Bolitho Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Penzance, Cornwall. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, 50 weeks of the year. The nursery offers government funded spaces for childcare. There are 17 members of staff. Two members of staff hold a level 6 qualification, 12 staff have qualifications at level 3, one member of staff holds a level 2 qualification and two members of staff are unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk of the setting. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager and they evaluated this together. n The inspector read feedback from parents and gathered their views on the 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

20 January 2025 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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