Coniston Childcare Nursery

Inspection of Coniston Childcare Nursery Coniston C Of E Primary School, Shepherds Bridge Lane, Coniston LA21 8AL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff help children to gain the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in life at the small and friendly nursery. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their education, and they learn to become thoughtful members of their community. Staff plan an engaging curriculum which covers all areas of learning well, with a focus on learning outdoors and the local area. For instance, staff and children chat excitedly about their experiences during a recent outing to a local agricultural show. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning and development.

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The provision is good

Staff's interactions with children are supportive and thoughtful. Staff show genuine interest in children's hobbies and families. They share in babies' delight as they master their new skills of standing and taking their first steps. Children develop positive self-esteem and grow in confidence. Staff are good role models for children. They are clear about their expectations and model positive attitudes towards life and learning. Children are interested in their play and are engaged in their learning. They behave well with staff nearby to help them to manage routine frustrations. Older and younger children play and learn together and become aware of the needs of their friends of different ages.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's language skills well. Staff read to children and have interesting discussions. Children share their knowledge about animals, for example, demonstrating new vocabulary and facts. Staff support children well, identifying gaps and using specific strategies where children require more support to catch up. Children develop confidence and competence in their communications. n Staff promote children's physical development very well. Babies and young children enjoy exploring the slopes in the outdoor area. Children competently ride balance bicycles and navigate uneven terrain with ease. Regular walks around the local hills help children to develop their large muscles and their stamina. Children learn to love the outdoors and being physically active. n Staff know children well. They plan interesting activities that children enjoy, and their monitoring and assessment of children's progress is effective. While staff

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need to do better?

understand how to build on what children already know and can do, the focus on what they need to learn next is not always consistent. This means that children's learning is, on occasion, incidental rather than planned. n Staff support children to become independent and responsible. They carry out tasks for themselves such as washing their yoghurt pot ready to recycle. Staff focus on children's independence skills and support children to manage their own self-care needs from a young age. Consequently, most children are toilet trained early on. Children's personal skills are well promoted.

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need to do better?

20 August 2025 n Children learn about personal safety and how to manage their own good health. They learn about road and water safety and how to assess and manage risk in a variety of environments. Children eat nutritious food at nursery and learn about how physical activity contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Staff teach children age- appropriate messages about how to use technology safely. Children develop healthy habits for life. n Staff report feeling well supported by the manager and morale is high. Staff enjoy their roles and complete additional qualifications and training to enhance their knowledge and teaching skills. Leaders are reflective, regularly seeking the views of staff and parents. Leaders are committed to providing the best possible experience for children. n Partnership working with parents is strong. Staff keep parents informed about their children's learning and encourage them to extend this further at home. For

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need to do better?

instance, staff share a song of the week for parents to sing with children at home. This helps parents to feel included and involved in their children's learning. n Staff work closely with professionals at the school on whose site the nursery operates. Children take part in weekly sessions in the forest area alongside older children attending the school. They get to know staff at the school and become familiar with the environment and routines. This supports smooth transitions for children moving on to school and consistency of their care and 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 strengthen the focus on what children need to learn next to help promote their learning consistently well through all activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2729578 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10398617 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 15 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Harrison, Charlotte

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reference number

Telephone number 07768287075 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Coniston Childcare Nursery registered in 2023 and is located in Coniston, Cumbria. It is independently owned and operates on the site of Coniston C of E Primary School. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Friday for 47 weeks of the year. The owner/manager holds an appropriate level 3 qualification. There are four additional members of staff, two of whom hold an appropriate level 2 qualification. The nursery offers government funded places for childcare and early education.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children and staff spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection at appropriate times. n The inspector spoke with the registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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 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

20 August 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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