The Old Station Nursery

Inspection of The Old Station Nursery Imjin Barracks, Innsworth Lane, Innsworth, Gloucestershire GL3 1ET

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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 enjoy attending this bright and welcoming nursery. They form secure relationships with key staff, who provide consistent care and support for their education. Staff interact warmly and engage with children well. They offer lots of praise and encouragement to help build children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff's clear routines and expectations help children to effectively manage their behaviour and develop a positive approach to their learning. Children are kind and considerate to their peers and play harmoniously, sharing and taking turns.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress in their learning and development because staff plan an engaging and well-sequenced curriculum. They engage in meaningful experiences that foster curiosity and independence. Babies eagerly explore sensory play. They watch and copy staff who model how to mix flour, oil and water with their hands. Staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'sticky', to help children connect words with their experiences. Toddlers display a sense of responsibility. They help to tidy up toys before lunch and listen to staff during group activities. Staff provide children with rich learning experiences outside in the fresh air. Pre- school children use their imagination as they pretend to cook dragon pancakes around a campfire. They understand how to keep themselves safe, reminding others to stand back 'because it is hot'.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have worked closely with staff to address actions from the previous inspection. Staff morale is high and they feel well supported, both professionally and personally. They have regular opportunities to meet with leaders to identify training needs and engage in professional discussion and reflection. This helps staff to feel valued and promotes a culture of continuous improvement. n Staff understand the importance of stories and song time in developing children's communication and early literacy skills. Each room has a book of the month, which helps children to build familiarity with stories and language. Staff lead discussions about story characters and link past learning experiences, such as making porridge, to help children make connections. However, at times, staff do not always consider the length of time activities take or adjust their approach to make tasks more active to better engage young children.

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need to do better?

n Staff thoughtfully plan the learning environment and resources to support children's interests. However, they do not always select the most suitable areas for activities. At times, babies who are settling to sleep are distracted by children playing nearby. In addition, key staff do not always deploy themselves effectively, to engage and interact purposefully with the children they know best. n Staff gather detailed information from parents when children first begin to attend. They use their observations of children's play to identify interests and

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need to do better?

28 February 2025 next steps in learning. Staff use this information to identify any emerging developmental gaps and implement targeted support to help children to make the best possible progress. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff share information with them in a range of ways. For example, through verbal discussions, online learning journals and newsletters. Leaders keep parents informed of training events, such as online first-aid courses. Parent feedback highlights the improvements the nursery has made. They praise the stable relationships their children have with their key workers and value the extra-curricular experiences their children attend. Parents state that these experiences help children to flourish and thrive. n Staff work closely with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to support children's good progress. They share information with them to ensure children receive the best possible support. Leaders make sure

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need to do better?

that any additional funding is allocated to meet children's individual learning needs. n Staff effectively support children's health, safety and well-being. Children have daily opportunities to be physically active and play outside in the fresh air. Staff follow strict protocols to ensure dietary requirements are met and mealtimes are safe and inclusive. For example, children are provided with colour coded plates to identify any allergies or preferences. Children collect their individual meal card, which staff review before sitting at the table. They learn the importance of good hygiene because staff remind them to wash their hands before meals. n Staff support children in building knowledge of their local community and the wider world. They invite professionals, such as police officers and military personnel, to engage with children and share insights into their roles. Children deepen their understanding through hands-on experiences and proudly try on

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need to do better?

uniforms and engage in role play. Staff support children in managing emotions during times of separation and change, working closely with parents to ensure a consistent and reassuring approach.

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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 further enhance the quality of their teaching to make sure it is developmentally appropriate and includes more active approaches to enhance young children's engagement n optimise the learning environment and deployment of staff to fully support

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should:

28 February 2025 young children's opportunities for restful sleep and purposeful learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410811 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 10383806 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 94 Number of children on roll 137 Name of registered person The Old Station Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01452 739010 Date of previous inspection 23 April 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The Old Station Nursery registered in 2010 and is one of many settings owned by the provider. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It closes for a week between Christmas and New Year. The nursery is in receipt of funding from the military and for the provision of early education for children aged nine months to four years. There is a team of 33 staff. Of these, five hold relevant early years qualifications at level 6 and above, one at level 5, one at level 4, fourteen at level 3 and one at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection 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 carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents shared their their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

28 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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