Botanic Lodge Nursery

Inspection of Botanic Lodge Nursery Botanic Road, Fairfield, LIVERPOOL L7 9LH

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 are happy, well cared for and safe in this warm and welcoming nursery. They are supported by an enthusiastic and deeply dedicated staff team. All children make good progress from their starting points in development. Children are inquisitive and eager to join in with the activities and experiences that staff offer. They settle quickly and have strong bonds with their key persons. Children enjoy high-quality interactions with staff and other children. As a result, they make rapid progress in developing their communication and language skills and in their social and emotional development.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff set clear expectations for children's behaviour and routines. They plan many opportunities in the curriculum for children to develop their physical skills. For example, staff provide babies with soft-play equipment to enable them to pull themselves up. Staff make accurate use of assessments to identify and act on any gaps in children's learning or specific needs quickly. All children receive good support.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff and children are kind, patient and considerate of each other. There is a high level of mutual respect and understanding for cultures and traditions from different countries. With guidance from the nurturing staff, children begin to understand their feelings and emotions and develop resilience. Staff prepare children for the next steps in their development and eventual move on to school. Parents and carers state that they feel valued and part of their children's learning journey.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff complete accurate assessments of children's progress and identify their next steps in learning linked to their interests. They support children to make connections in their thinking. For example, as children are interested in the natural world, staff encourage them to talk about the creatures they find in the garden, such as caterpillars, frogs and ladybirds. Children are keen to know where caterpillars live, and ask questions about how a caterpillar moves and what they eat. Staff link this to the book they are reading. This helps children to have age-appropriate opportunities to make connections in their learning. n Staff plan many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. For example, they give babies freedom to move and explore a small obstacle course. Toddlers outside use large and small brushes to paint pictures and wash walls. Staff plan a variety of ball games and seasonal walks in the local park. Staff

p.2

need to do better?

provide these activities to develop children's small- and large-muscle strength and their understanding of the benefits of exercise. n Staff talk to children about numbers and sing number rhymes. They take opportunities to support children to count and recognise colours throughout their

p.2

need to do better?

9 July 2025 daily routines and planned activities. However, they do not consistently promote children's understanding of other mathematical concepts, such as time, weight and quantity. For instance, while children are playing in the mud kitchen or sand area, staff do not help children to understand how time can be measured or explore how different weights can be compared. n The setting is calm and inclusive. Children are kind, polite and friendly. They take turns and follow instructions. Staff put plans in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which they share with parents and, if appropriate, access multi-agency support. They make effective adaptations to the curriculum and environment for children with SEND. For instance, staff use the setting's sensory room to provide a safe place for children to practise their coping skills and emotional regulation strategies.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide children with a range of meaningful activities to extend their wider development. Children find out about different festivals and cultures of the world. For instance, they learn about Diwali, Eid and Lunar New Year. Staff teach children key words in languages spoken by their friends and relatives who live in different continents. This helps children to begin to understand the diverse world and life in modern Britain. n Leaders have a clear vision for the nursery. They continually evaluate their practice and make positive changes. For example, leaders quickly identify priorities for children's development and ongoing support for their speech and language. This has brought about a positive impact on children's learning. All staff, including long-term apprentices, have access to online learning platforms to enhance their professional development. However, leaders do not yet target coaching and training to staff's individual strengths and needs, to help them to

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 enhance the curriculum for early mathematics to extend all children's thinking and knowledge in this area of learning, appropriate to their age and stage of development n strengthen training and coaching for staff to target their individual development needs and help to raise the quality of education.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY466136 Local authority Liverpool Inspection number 10398439 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 63 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person Prayle, Jacqueline Ann

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0151 259 2859 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Botanic Lodge Nursery registered in 2013 and re-registered in 2024. It is situated in the Edge Lane area of Liverpool. The nursery opens all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It provides government funded childcare. There are 16 members of staff working with children. Of these, one member of staff holds a qualification at level 4, eight staff hold qualifications at level 3, four staff hold qualifications at level 2, and there are two apprentices and a cook.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector carried out a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed the implementation of the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The inspector and leaders carried out joint observations. n The inspector had a meeting with leaders. She reviewed relevant documentation, including risk assessments and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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

9 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