Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Highwoods

Inspection of Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Highwoods Bluebell Centre, Jack Andrews Drive, Colchester CO4 9YN

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Staff implement their curriculum and development aims for the children effectively. They provide children with a most welcoming and interesting play space both indoors and outdoors. The nursery implements principles of the curiosity approach to learning, but also effectively include children's interests when planning invitations to learn. They help children become confident and independent learners, in readiness for their move on to school. Children are greeted on arrival by happy staff who show a genuine interest, and children are excited to start their day. Staff work hard to ensure effective partnerships with parents are established. They offer home visits before children attend, to meet them and their family in a familiar environment. They gain useful and appropriate information about the children and how best to support their learning. This also supports children to develop close and trusting bonds with the staff.

p.2

The provision is good

Attentive staff are skilful in their interactions. They interact well with the children and are calm and positive role models. Children are recognised for their efforts and enjoy the positive praise they receive. Children understand the high expectations as these are reinforced throughout the session. Overall, children's behaviour is good. The curriculum is also designed to support children's emotional and personal development, so that they have a strong sense of self, and support children to become effective communicators. They learn the skills needed to be independent. For example, they are encouraged and supported to use the bathroom independently, and take care of their personal belongings as they store their bags and lunchboxes.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children relish their time outdoors. They make choices as to where they play and move freely between indoors to outdoors. Young children show sustained concentration as they make marks on a large chalk board. They are fascinated as they use water and brushes and watch the pictures disappear. Children sit comfortably in the shade as they enjoy stories, while others giggle with delight as they run through mists of water to cool down. n The management team demonstrates a commitment to provide children with the quality learning opportunities. Managers understands the importance of monitoring staff's practice and supporting staff with their own professional development. Training is encouraged, including supporting staff working towards a childcare qualification. n All children, including those who require additional support, make good progress from their starting points. Staff provide learning opportunities that capture

p.2

need to do better?

children's interests and build on what children already know. However, there are some variations in the quality of teaching and while the management team are

p.2

need to do better?

13 June 2025 aware and support staff to raise the quality of teaching to the highest standard, it is not yet fully embedded. n Children learn about simple mathematics through activities provided. They fill buckets with water and carry them to scales as they measure which one is heavier. They show patience and an eagerness to complete the task independently, even when they spill the water. They negotiate together as they work out the best way to carry the heavy buckets. n Younger children learn about size and shape as they participate in adult-led activities. They follow instructions as they make small or large balls using dough. They count proficiently and talk about the shapes they make. n Professional, but friendly, relationships have been established with the parents who speak highly of the nursery. Daily conversations take place as children arrive, and when parents collect their children. They benefit from, and welcome,

p.2

need to do better?

the home visits offered before children attend to discuss their children individual needs in a relaxed and familiar environment. However, staff have not consistently embedded ways to share up-to-date information to help parents continue to support their child's learning at home. n Parents speak highly of the welcoming and supportive team of staff. They comment that their children make good progress in the 'homely' nursery as a result of attending and feel reassured their children have fun and are safe. n Overall, children are supported to initiate their own play. They access quality resources from easily accessible units. Children are busy and engaged in their play. They transport toys around the room to enhance their play, and become engrossed in their imaginary games. However, they are not consistently encouraged to develop a deep understanding of how to take care of the things that they use, such as resources, when they have finished with these.

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 continue to support staff to ensure the quality of education provided is consistent, and children learn to an even higher level n build on the good communication with parents to develop ways to consistently share up-to-date information about how they can support their child's learning at home n help children to understand how to take more care of their environment and resources, particularly when they are leading their own play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2744527 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10408895 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07488393248 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Highwoods registered in 2023. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am to 4pm. The nursery provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector around the areas that children access. n They discussed how staff organise the environment and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of documents, which included evidence about staff's suitability and training. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

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

13 June 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.

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