Corner House Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

The nursery provides a colourful, stimulating and motivating environment for children to learn and develop. Staff work hard to provide activities which capture children's imagination with unusual and thought-provoking resources. For instance, babies and children develop their awareness of the world around them when they handle different textures of dough, sparkling liquids, sand and mud.

They are physically challenged when they climb the bridges and tunnels, and perform balancing tasks in their richly resourced outdoor areas. Staff form strong bonds with children and their families. Children are happy and very well behaved.
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They show kindness and consideration towards others. They grow in independence and take good levels of responsibility for managing aspects of their own play and learning. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

The manager and her staff have high expectations and are ambitious for all children to achieve well. They work closely with parents to ensure that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make a strong start to their learning. The manager and her leadership team are thoughtful and efficient.

They set a clear direction and support staff well to enhance the quality of teaching and high levels of care.

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

The manager and senior leaders know staff well. They efficiently evaluate the quality of teaching and the impact on children's achievements.

Staff have clear roles and responsibilities and time to fulfil them. This contributes well to the progressive development of provision. Staff are particularly well supported to develop their qualifications to degree level and make good use of new skills to develop teaching and the curriculum.

Effective electronic data systems help staff to manage their time and focus on children's learning.The experienced staff know their children extremely well. Thoroughly considered induction procedures help children settle smoothly into the nursery's routines.

Staff gather detailed information to ensure that they know children's individual interests and needs securely to plan for their future learning and care.Parents, who strongly recommend the nursery, comment on the positive contribution staff make to children's toilet training and other aspects of their self care. Staff make very good use of gentle conversations to support babies during nappy changes and engaging songs to help children learn how to wash their hands or use the toilet.

The sleep pods, with children's favourite blankets, encourage them to sleep safely and comfortably.Staff are kind and gentle role models to children. They warmly praise children and value their work in the many exciting displays.

Staff help children to explore their emotions and learn to be tolerant of others. For instance, children follow the adventures of their favourite puppets and suggest why they are sad or happy. Staff successfully help children, including working well with other professionals, to manage their own emotions and behaviour.

Staff successfully encourage children to listen, pay attention and follow instructions of increasing complexity. Activities such as the family tree project and travelling soft toys help children appreciate diversity in the world.Staff thoroughly plan for children's learning across all areas of development.

They closely observe children's achievements and identify their interests to plan activities to help them progress well to the next steps in their learning. For example, staff built on young children's fascination with toy ducks to engage them in counting, ordering and matching activities promoting mathematical and problem-solving skills. Staff ensure children acquire the skills they need for their future learning and a successful start to school life.

Staff use additional funding well to address gaps in children's learning, for example, providing one-to-one support, tailored staff training and further resources.Staff strongly promote children's communication skills overall. Children's books, rhymes and stories are at the heart of many of the activities planned for children.

Stories are well told and capture children's imagination.Staff's interaction with children is positive overall. However, they do not consistently challenge children to think more deeply and fully promote children's vocabulary.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.The designated safeguarding lead ensures staff are well trained in child protection procedures and wider safeguarding issues. She holds frequent safeguarding supervision meetings and makes certain staff access the latest training.

She regularly tests their knowledge and understanding through spot checks, quizzes and staff meetings. Policies and procedures reflect the advice and guidance of the local authorities and are fully available to parents.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: strengthen staff's consistent interaction with children to further deepen children's understanding and extend their vocabulary.