Alton College Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Since the last inspection, there has been a significant development of practice. As a result, children are now making good progress in their learning and show that they feel secure.

The manager and staff team have been working hard to drive improvement. They have a clear overview of what they want children to learn and why. Staff have created a calm, relaxing baby area, where the youngest children explore and engage in sensory-play experiences.

Children enjoy their time at nursery. They are happy and confident, as they explore the environment. Children have a positive attitude to learning and engage in interesting acti...vities.

Staff support children to follow their own interests, and this inspires them to be curious. For example, staff introduce identification cards to help children identify the different bugs that they collect in the garden. Children show positive attitudes towards their learning and behave well.

The broad curriculum ensures that children have regular opportunities to hear and join in with familiar songs and stories, which supports their language skills. Babies and toddlers thoroughly enjoy snuggling in to share stories with nurturing staff. Older children act out 'The three little pigs', as they enthusiastically interact with their friends in the garden.

They giggle with excitement as they choose who is going to be the wolf. This helps children develop a love of books.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The manager and staff have worked extremely hard to secure significant improvements since the last inspection.

All actions raised have been addressed well. Successful, ongoing changes have been made to the curriculum and the quality of education children receive. Staff have been well supported in their professional development to help them improve their teaching knowledge and skills.

This helps maintain a good standard of education.Children enjoy learning about keeping safe and listen carefully, when staff explain an outing to the local shop for fruit for snack. They show that they remember what to do, as they safely walk down the stairs and confidently state that they must 'stay together.'

Children positively respond to all aspects of the outing. For instance, they show an interest in shopping for produce, counting how many items of fruit to collect and participate in paying at the till.Staff support children in developing healthy lifestyles.

For example, children learn about dental care and know why 'plaque' is not good for their teeth. They practise good handwashing routines and enjoy fresh, nutritious snacks together.Children benefit from fresh air and exercise in the nursery's well-planned garden.

Young children and babies climb on low-level equipment and play with sensory materials to develop their muscle control. Older children learn to use the rope swing independently and to enjoy the challenge as they master this skill. Children access a wealth of exciting experiences to ignite their interest and learn about the world.

For example, they enjoy collecting apples from the apple tree in the nursery garden to eat at snack.The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a good knowledge of the children. Staff use funding effectively to meet children's individual needs.

For example, they offer children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) one-to-one support in their play. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children with SEND are well supported.Partnership with parents is good.

Parents speak highly of the nursery and say their children are happy to attend. Good communication ensures parents know what their children can do and what they will be learning next.The manager is committed to ensuring that staff are happy and feel supported in their roles.

Staff benefit from regular team meetings and one-to-one supervision. Staff training is actively encouraged, so that they can build on their skills, which improves outcomes for children.Overall, staff prepare children well for school and their future learning.

However, there are times when they do not consider how to extend children's independence as fully as possible. They routinely complete some simple tasks that are within children's capabilities, for example, at snack time.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff demonstrate a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that could indicate that a child is at risk of harm. They know how to make a referral if they have concerns about the welfare of a child. Staff are clear about the procedure they will follow if they have concerns about the conduct of a colleague.

The manager ensures that safer recruitment checks are carried out to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff working with children. Staff check the nursery environment routinely to ensure the safety of children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: make better use of opportunities that arise to promote children's independence.

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