The Old School House Nursery And Pre School

Inspection of The Old School House Nursery And Pre School Buckholme Towers, 18 Commercial Road, Poole, Dorset BH14 0JW

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 enjoy their time at this warm and welcoming setting. They show they are happy, confident and enthusiastic about their learning. Babies copy staff and say, 'Let's go!' as they get ready to play in the garden. Staff value each child's character and uniqueness. They provide opportunities for children to learn about themselves and each other and help children understand what makes them special. Toddlers beam as they show staff and visitors photos of themselves and their families.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff have embedded consistent routines and boundaries. This helps children know what is happening next and what is expected of them. Children listen to staff and visitors. For example, during a ballet session children copy actions as they learn to bow and curtsy. They place their teddy bears in the basket when the session finishes.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children to understand and regulate their emotions. They skilfully use a range of strategies and resources to help children learn how to express and manage their feelings in developmentally appropriate ways. For example, children use calm spaces, books, fidget toys and sensory equipment when they find parts of their day overwhelming.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have created an ambitious curriculum that supports children to develop the wide range of knowledge and skills they need ready for school. Staff deliver this curriculum well. There is a clear focus on encouraging children to build positive attitudes towards their learning and giving children the confidence to try new experiences. n Staff have a good understanding of the children they care for. Staff who work with babies are nurturing and caring. They create an environment where babies settle quickly, form close attachments with their key person and are confident to play and explore. For example, staff give babies a warm and gentle welcome when they enter the playroom after a nap. Staff use their voice in a calm and reassuring manner and give babies the affection and cuddles they need. n Children have lots of opportunities to express themselves, share their thoughts and ideas, and make choices and decisions about their learning. Older children

p.2

need to do better?

regularly take part in 'pre-school council meetings'. They confidently tell staff what activities and food they like and dislike. Children suggest equipment they would like to buy and places they would like to visit. This helps children feel valued and respected and helps build children's social skills. n Staff's interactions and engagement with children are positive and supportive. They join children's play and consistently praise children's achievements. However, staff do not always make the most of their interactions with children to

p.2

need to do better?

16 September 2025 fully extend children's learning. For example, they sometimes miss opportunities to teach children new skills or introduce new vocabulary or concepts. n Staff assess and monitor children's learning effectively to identify any gaps in children's learning. Staff work closely with parents and professionals to swiftly put additional support in place. This helps all children make good progress from their starting points. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents say they feel involved in all aspects of their children's care and learning. They comment on the advice and support that staff give them with supporting their children's toileting, teeth brushing and healthy eating. Staff regularly communicate with parents through face-to-face meetings, telephone conversations and a monthly newsletter. Parents are also invited to workshops, such as how to help prepare children for school. n Staff use children's interests to provide a wide range of activities for children to

p.2

need to do better?

engage in. Children enjoy these activities and are keen to become involved. However, staff are not always clear about what it is they want children to know or be able to do from these activities. n Leaders and managers are passionate and committed to providing high-quality care and education for all children. They ensure that staff receive regular training to continually improve their practice. Staff are supported well to manage their workload and well-being. Leaders and managers use additional funding to make sure all children have a broad range of experiences that help them feel part of their community and prepare them for the next stage in their learning journey. For instance, they regularly use the bus to visit residents of the local care 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 ensure that staff make the most of their interactions with children to fully extend children's learning n support staff to have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn during planned activities to ensure that children make as much progress as possible.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2542068 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10417417 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 80 Number of children on roll 110 Name of registered person Howard Holdings (poole) Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01202 242794 Date of previous inspection 16 August 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Old School House Nursery and Pre School registered in 2019. It is a privately- owned nursery that operates from a large, older-style former school property in Poole, Dorset. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year. There are 38 members of childcare staff. Of these, the manager holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6, two staff members have level 5 qualifications, 16 hold level 3 qualifications, and six hold level 2 qualifications. The setting provides government-funded places.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about her curriculum and what she wants the children to learn. n Staff talked to the inspector throughout the inspection and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented and how the children's progress is monitored. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n The manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the inspector. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and the children throughout the inspection. n The children spoke to the inspector. n The inspector looked at a range of documents about how leaders and managers ensure that the children's medical and dietary needs are safely managed.

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

16 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.

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