New Life Nursery Group

Inspection of New Life Nursery Group Danesford Community Centre, West Road, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 4EY

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive keen and eager to start their day at this inclusive and inviting setting. Children are quick to join in and explore the activities on offer. They are warmly greeted on arrival by staff, who show a genuine interest and children are happy to leave their parents with ease. Throughout the nursery, staff build strong and affectionate relationships with children. Younger children approach familiar adults for cuddles and reassurance, if they need it. Older children show growing confidence as they talk to visitors about their time at nursery and politely ask their names. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well by experienced and caring practitioners. For example, children with SEND are able to access the sensory circuit throughout the day to support their regulation.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide a wide range of meaningful experiences that capture children's attention and motivate them to join in. For example, staff play a summer themed bingo game. Children participate with excitement as staff skilfully adapt their teaching as children count, take turns and discuss the bingo cards. Staff introduce new vocabulary, such as barbeque, and engage in discussion around their understanding of why we wear hats in the summer. This successfully supports children's attention and reasoning skills. As a result, children make good progress in their development.

p.2

The provision is good

There are clear and consistent expectations for children's behaviour. Staff patiently explain why some behaviours are unacceptable. Children show respect for others, encourage their friends to join in and take turns when tidying up. Staff consistently offer praise, which helps to boost children's confidence as they learn new skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff use observations and assessments to monitor the progress that children make and to identify appropriate next steps for children's development. They know the children that they care for well. Leaders have a good knowledge of the curriculum and what they want children to learn while at the setting. However, they have not ensured that all staff have a clear understanding of the curriculum intentions. This leads to occasional inconsistencies in how staff deliver the curriculum across the nursery. n Children's language and communication skills are prioritised. Visual prompts, sign language and real-life objects help strengthen communication, particularly for younger children and those with additional needs. Leaders foster a love of reading as children enjoy snuggling with staff and read books. Parents also have access to a library of books or activity bags to take home. This helps children develop good communication skills.

p.2

need to do better?

10 July 2025 n Staff swiftly identify when children need further support for their learning or development. They work in close partnership with parents and other health professionals. This helps staff to develop strategies to support children with SEND. Staff and leaders regularly review the plans for supporting children with SEND. They use additional funding to provide sensory resources or individual support for children. This ensures that children with SEND continue to achieve well and work towards their milestones. n Children benefit from a range of physical activities. Younger children model play dough to support the small muscles in their hands. Older children practise their large movement skills as they squat and reach when washing cars. All children make progress in their physical development very successfully. n Self-care and independence are promoted effectively from an early age. Younger children learn to wash their hands before meals and help to tidy up after snacks.

p.2

need to do better?

Pre-school children show confidence in dressing themselves in fancy dress costumes and access the bathrooms independently. These opportunities help build a sense of independence and responsibility in preparation as they transition to school. n Staff have access to training and leaders have implemented a supervision system, which supports staff to reflect on their practice. However, this does not always focus on how staff can improve their individual teaching practice. Leaders have identified the need to support staff to develop their skills, this is not yet embedded to ensure staff have the training, coaching and support to improve their teaching to a consistently high level. n Leaders and staff work hard to develop positive relationships with parents. Parents speak highly of the setting and appreciate the time and support provided by the staff team, especially when transitioning to school. Parents value the

p.3

need to do better?

regular updates on their children's progress, which is shared both verbally and electronically. This enables parents to continue their children's learning at home.

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 develop staff's understanding of the curriculum intent so that their teaching is consistently focused on what they want children to learn n strengthen supervisions to provide staff with targeted coaching and training so that they can develop their practice to a consistently high level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 305210 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10398335 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person New Life Church Group

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01260295927 Date of previous inspection 16 October 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

New Life Nursery Group registered 1987. It operates from three rooms within New Life Church in Congleton, Cheshire. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold qualified teacher status, five have an early years degree, one staff member has a level 4 qualification and four hold a level 3 early years qualification. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday, from 9.15am to 3.15pm and on Friday mornings from 9.15am until 12.15pm, during term times. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The leadership team led the inspector on a learning walk, discussing the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager of the younger children, exploring the outdoor provision. n The inspector observed the setting's practice; considering the quality of the education and the impact on the children's progress and development. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke with staff and discussed safeguarding knowledge. n The inspector held a leadership and management meeting with the provider and the manager.

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

10 July 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