Oak Cottage Nursery

Inspection of Oak Cottage Nursery Oak Cottage, Warren Road, BRIGHTON BN2 6DA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children play joyfully with their friends. They receive a kind welcome from staff as they arrive. Children quickly get involved with the different activities that are arranged for them. For example, they begin exploring soil in trays and look at insects with magnifying glasses. Relationships between staff and babies are sensitive and meaningful. When children are still settling in, staff offer cuddles and sing to reassure them. Children feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Positive behaviour is promoted by staff. Children learn about values and rules through conversations. For example, they confidently explain that during story time, they should do 'good sitting' and 'good listening'. Children receive information that increases their understanding of what is expected of them.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a curriculum that prepares them for their future learning. Staff provide children with a wide range of materials to develop their writing and drawing skills. For example, they use chalk outside when they draw around staff and their friends, and use pencils to make shopping lists when they play imaginatively. Children are engaged and motivated in their exciting learning environment.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have implemented successful improvements since their last inspection. For example, staff discuss children's learning with confidence and know their key-children's interests and abilities well. Staff work together to make sure they are consistently aware of each child's stage of development. Through these effective key-person arrangements, children are supported to make good progress. n Staff support babies to develop their language skills. They provide them with plenty of opportunities to engage in songs and rhymes. Staff use familiar tunes and provide clear words. Babies join in enthusiastically and excitedly anticipate the next song. Staff knowledgeably promote babies developing communication skills. n Children are immersed in exciting stories throughout the nursery. Staff use frequent opportunities to sit and engage children in a range of different books. Children listen attentively as staff use different voices to inspire their

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need to do better?

imaginations. Leaders also provide books for children to take home to share with their families. Children's love of reading is fully promoted. n Leaders have high expectations for the skills they want children to learn. For example, they plan for older children to learn to manage their own hygiene needs in preparation for school. However, at times, some staff complete simple tasks for older children, such as hanging their coats and washing their hands.

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need to do better?

5 March 2025 This means that, at times, independence skills are not consistently increased as intended by leaders. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective support. Leaders put measures in place to ensure that all staff have a good understanding of the needs for each child. Staff also liaise with professionals, such as auditory and speech therapists, to put collaborative plans in place. This supports children to achieve the best outcomes. n Overall, staff understand the importance of promoting a focus on learning. For example, they create structured plans to ensure that children enjoy activities that have been prepared to increase their skills. However, at times, staff's interactions with children are disrupted by routines, and children do not always finish activities. Consequently, children become less engaged with what they were doing. This means that, occasionally, children's attitudes to learning are not

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need to do better?

consistently promoted by staff. n Staff speak highly of the training and support they receive. Leaders provide meaningful supervision sessions. During these, staff discuss any potential work pressures or future training they would like to do. For example, staff engage in training to increase their understanding of implementing information about food and good health in the curriculum. Staff receive effective opportunities to enhance their professional development. This continually raises the standard of teaching for children. n Parents explain their delight in the staff at the nursery. They feel informed about activities and receive frequent communication about how their children are progressing. Staff provide parents with further information about learning activities to try at home. Parent partnerships are effective in promoting a shared approach to children's learning.

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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 fully implement the curriculum for developing and extending children's independence skills n manage routines to reduce disruptions to children's focus and learning during interactions with staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY385269 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10359660 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 94 Name of registered person Oak Cottage Nursery CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 01273 680541 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Oak Cottage Nursery registered in 2008 and is located in Brighton, East Sussex. The nursery operates 50 weeks a year and is open each weekday, from 8am to 5.30pm. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of whom, 13 hold an appropriate early years qualification. The nursery receives funding to provide free government funded early education to children between the ages of nine months old and four years old.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and the children. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. 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

5 March 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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