Briar Dene Nursery

Inspection of Briar Dene Nursery 2 Fulwood Avenue, Tarleton, Preston PR4 6RP

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children run happily into the nursery, separating from parents with ease. They have lovely relationships with staff, who get to know them well. Children are confident in the environment and know the daily routine. Staff are clear about their expectations for positive behaviour and remind children about the importance of sharing and taking turns. Staff quickly recognise when children are becoming overwhelmed and need more support to regulate their emotions. This helps children to feel secure and promotes their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff implement a broad and interesting curriculum that helps children to make progress. They sing songs and rhymes throughout the day that complement what children are learning. For instance, when playing in the water, staff sing songs about fish and use a toy fish as a visual representation. This helps to support children's understanding, particularly those who need extra help with their communication and language development. Staff introduce new words, such as 'spikey', 'smooth' and 'crunchy', to help describe items from the autumnal exploration tray. They encourage children to copy new words and use them in their play. Children are fluent communicators and have a good understanding of how back-and-forth conversations are structured.

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need to do better?

n In the main, leaders plan the curriculum effectively, and staff typically understand what they want children to learn next. They plan enjoyable activities based on children's interests. However, during group activities, the curriculum is not appropriately sequenced for all children. For instance, staff teach children who are not yet speaking confidently to recognise and pronounce letter sounds. This does not help children to develop new skills and knowledge in the correct order. n Staff monitor children's progress throughout each month to identify any gaps in learning. They adapt their planning and implement strategies, such as objects of reference, to provide more targeted support to children who need it. Leaders make timely referrals to outside agencies to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the professional help they need. Children with SEND make progress from their individual starting points.

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need to do better?

n Children have a lovely attitude to learning. They show good levels of engagement, particularly when taking part in water play experiences. Younger children practise pouring water from one container to another. Older children explore and make predictions about which objects, such as conkers and acorns, will float and sink. Children concentrate well and demonstrate an eagerness to learn. n Staff support children to develop good levels of independence. Children butter

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need to do better?

22 September 2025 their own toast and use jugs to pour milk. They learn to unzip their coats, wash their hands and use the bathroom independently. Children are keen to do things for themselves, which boosts their confidence and self-esteem. They are developing some of the skills needed for their move to school. n Children demonstrate good physical skills and strength. They use the climbing equipment, such as ladder steps, with ease. Children use the balance bike confidently and navigate a narrow beam skilfully. They are eager to be in the outdoor area and access a range of equipment and experiences that promote their physical health and well-being. n Overall, partnership working is effective, and parents are happy with the quality of care provided. They receive some general feedback on their child's day and access an online application for information about the curriculum. However, parents do not always receive information about children's individual next steps,

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need to do better?

specific support they receive or how they can extend learning at home. This does not ensure continuity and consistency in children's care and learning. n Leaders consider what prior experiences children have when planning their curriculum. They recognise that some children have never been on a bus and others have never seen real money in the physical form. They plan outings, such as bus rides and visits to the shops to buy groceries, to narrow these gaps in experiences. This broadens children's understanding of the world in which they live. n Staff are happy and feel supported in their roles. They receive some feedback on their practice and attend training. However, there are some inconsistencies in the quality of practice. Some staff are unsure about typical stages of development and do not recognise when some children need more support to engage in purposeful learning. This hinders the quality of education some children receive.

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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 sequencing of the curriculum for whole group activities to help all children learn new skills in the correct order n provide parents with more precise feedback on children's next steps and how they can support learning at home n build on the programme of professional development to enhance staff knowledge and provide more consistency in the quality of education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548292 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10413897 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Briar Dene Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01772 816661 Date of previous inspection 18 June 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Briar Dene Nursery registered in 2017 and is located in the Tarleton area of Preston. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 4. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery offers government funded places for children aged from two to four years.

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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 their children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

22 September 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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