The Old Station Nursery - Warwick Preschool

Inspection of The Old Station Nursery - Warwick Preschool Heathcote Primary School, Vickers Way, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 7AP

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Staff welcome children into a calm and inviting environment, where they can move freely between indoors and outdoors, choosing from a wide range of interesting resources. Staff greet children warmly, helping them settle quickly, particularly those who are new or need extra reassurance. Key persons know each child well. They use comfort items, gentle interaction, and encouragement to help children feel safe and ready to join in.

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The provision is good

Leaders work alongside staff to plan purposeful enhancements that reflect children's needs, interests, and connections to the local community. For example, they take children litter picking and arrange visits to a care home to help build children's awareness of the world around them. Leaders and staff use resources, such as the mud kitchen and art trolley, to help develop children's independence. Children gain the skills and confidence they need for their next stage in learning.

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The provision is good

Staff set clear expectations for behaviour and attitudes to learning. They model kindness, praise cooperation so children learn to take turns, share ideas and resolve small disagreements calmly. Staff notice and respond quickly to children's needs, helping them sustain concentration and re-engage if they become distracted. They have introduced a well-being board to support children to begin to regulate their own emotions. Children develop the confidence to contribute, the resilience to keep trying, and the social skills to work well with others.

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need to do better?

n Leaders use monitoring and improvement planning to develop practice. They have improved the outdoor provision with creative resources, which has enriched children's learning experiences. They provide staff with specific targets to extend their practice, helping to strengthen the quality of teaching across the setting. n Leaders make sure all staff have access to training that builds on their knowledge and skills. New staff complete a thorough induction, so they understand policies, procedures, and expectations. Apprentices receive regular guidance and mentoring, which helps them grow in confidence and develop their practice alongside experienced colleagues. n Overall, leaders and staff provide a varied and engaging curriculum. They plan activities that reflect children's interests and stage of development, and make good use of indoor and outdoor resources to support learning. However, the curriculum does not always focus well enough on learning experiences that build

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need to do better?

on what children already know and can do to help them make even better progress. n Leaders and staff build supportive relationships with families. They establish children's starting points and offer some ideas to support learning at home.

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need to do better?

11 August 2025 Parents value the care and attention their children receive and the approachable nature of staff. However, the detail and consistency of information staff share with parents about children's learning and progress vary. This reduces opportunities for all parents to fully support and extend learning at home. n Staff skilfully extend children's learning through well-timed questions, ideas, and resources that build language, confidence, and thinking skills. They join in role play to develop imagination, encourage problem-solving when children build large scale structures, and introduce new vocabulary. Children are highly engaged in their play, approach activities with confidence, and show motivation to explore and try new challenges. n Staff provide personally tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They adapt activities to match the children's.

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need to do better?

needs. For example, they use strategies, such as sign language, visual prompts, and targeted one-to-one support to build communication and social interaction. Leaders seek advice from external professionals and set clear targets to track progress so that children's development needs are met. n Staff enrich children's communication and language through daily conversation, songs, and stories. Children join in Spanish lessons that staff adapt to their needs using songs, books, and games to learn new words. Children access multilingual books, including Romanian and Chinese texts, and staff help them to develop their language skills through the 'word of the week'. Children are confident communicators. n Staff support children's emotional well-being and self-control successfully through daily routines and targeted activities. For example they link strategies, such as practising breathing during yoga, so children can use calm breathing

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need to do better?

when they feel frustrated or need to concentrate. Children behave well and show respect for others. They actively invite their friends to join in with their play ideas and cooperate well.

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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 refine the curriculum so that it builds on what children already know and need to lean next n provide consistent, detailed information to parents about their child's learning and progress to further support learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY552418 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10407373 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 28 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Polkadot Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01926 290330 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Old Station Nursery - Warwick Preschool registered in 2017. It operates in the grounds of Heathcote Primary School in Warwick. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Two staff hold approved early years qualifications at level 3 with one at level 2. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The nursery provides funded early education places.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity 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

11 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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