Castle Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Castle Nursery and Preschool Guildford Road, Shamley Green, GUILDFORD, Surrey GU5 0RS

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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 Good

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The provision is good

The staff are friendly, kind and warmly welcome children at the door when they arrive. Their genuine pleasure at seeing them helps children feel welcome, and they settle in quickly. Staff are attentive, compassionate and give new children the support that is needed, such as cuddles and affection if they become upset. This offers children the reassurance they need to help them become familiar with their surroundings and feel secure. Children develop a sense of belonging and engage well in their play and learning.

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The provision is good

Managers and staff have high expectations of all children's learning and behaviour, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For instance, staff monitor children's progress by assessing them in all areas of development and offer support where it is needed. Children develop positive attitudes towards learning. Staff give children clear directions and consistently reinforce the golden rules that are in place. They role model the behaviour that is expected and talk to children with respect. This helps children feel valued, and they learn right from wrong.

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The provision is good

Children play amicably together. They seek staff out for comfort and to share their experiences with. Through well planned activities, staff encourage children to explore their emotions. For example, children enjoy taking part in a group activity where they talk about feelings and give examples of what makes them feel happy, sad, or even frustrated. Staff encourage children to demonstrate these feelings by making facial expressions and using their body language. The children's personal, social and emotional development is supported well.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management are effective. Staff benefit from strong and supportive leaders. Managers know the staff well and successfully utilise their strengths and expertise to ensure the service they offer runs smoothly. Staff say they have high morale and that they work in a supportive environment. They have regular opportunities to develop their skills and enhance their continuous professional development by attending personalised courses. Managers encourage staff to evaluate their training and explore areas of practice that can be improved. This has a positive impact on the care and learning that children receive. n Managers and staff have created a curriculum that continually builds on what children know and can do. With a strong emphasis on supporting children's independence, children learn new skills to help them do things for themselves. For instance, staff encourage children to self-serve from an early age. They

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need to do better?

support children to put on their own coats and shoes and become self-sufficient

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need to do better?

7 February 2025 in their self-care skills. They develop a good sense of pride in what they can do and gain confidence as they transition through the rooms. n Children enjoy taking part in a variety of educational and fun activities indoors and outdoors. For example, staff capture children's attention and encourage them to explore the hailstones falling outside. Children are fascinated, and they huddle together with staff to listen to the loud noise it makes as it hits the overhead cover. However, staff do not always seize opportunities to deepen children's knowledge by further elaborating on their interests and experiences. Therefore, children are not always given the chance to consolidate learning by exploring further. n The arrangements in place to support children with SEND are effective. Passionate staff make timely referrals and seek guidance and support from outside agencies where needed. Staff work with parents and other professionals

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need to do better?

and create personalised plans and set goals to help all children make the progress they are capable of. n Staff encourage children to say please and thank you. Children are polite and well-mannered. Staff encourage children to follow good hygiene routines and discuss being healthy by eating foods that are nutritious and engaging in physical activity. Children enjoy socialising at mealtimes. Staff encourage children to pour their own drinks, and they skilfully carry them to the table. Staff support the youngest children to feed themselves. This helps them to develop good hand-eye coordination and independence. n Staff are watchful and vigilant for any hazards that could potentially harm children. They carry out regular risk assessments to check the environment is a safe place for children to play. Additionally, staff encourage children to identify risks or dangers themselves. For instance, in the preschool room staff choose

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need to do better?

two children daily to help them carry out tasks throughout the day. One of these tasks is to check the outdoor area is safe before children go out to play. Staff support children as they walk around the garden looking for anything dangerous. Children develop healthy foundations for keeping themselves and others safe.

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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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should:

n support staff to recognise when opportunities arise to extend children's learning and interests further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305518 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10376573 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 39 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person Castle Daycare and Preschool Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 01483 898 811 Date of previous inspection 30 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Castle Nursery and Preschool at Shamley Green registered in 2005 and is owned and managed by Castle Day Care and Preschool Limited. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. A team of 13 staff work with the children. Of these, one member of staff holds a level 6 qualification, one holds a level 5 qualification and seven hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides government funded early years places.

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Inspection activities

n The 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 nursery. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

7 February 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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