Olivers Lodge - Halstead

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

This provision meets requirements Staff and leaders create a stimulating and inspirational environment that sparks children's curiosity and inquisitive spirit. They settle very quickly and become deeply immersed in meaningful activities.

Children have opportunities to choose what they would like to access and explore with support from knowledgeable staff. For example, a group of children choose to engage in a creative activity. They explore a wide range of mark-making tools to further develop their fine motor skills.

Children concentrate intently and display high levels of precision and determination in colouring in their template. Staff encourage children... to engage in meaningful conversations about what they are doing, to deepen their communication and language and recall skills. When the task is complete, children show great pride in their achievement, and this helps build on their confidence.

Staff use constant praise and affirmation to boost their morale and self-esteem.Staff and leaders have high expectations of children. They rise to the challenge exceptionally well, while showing respect and consideration towards adults and peers.

Children behave very well, have excellent manners and manage conflict with patience and empathy. Children form warm and nurturing relationships with all staff, who in return offer them a very dynamic environment that captures all their needs and interests.

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

Staff and leaders offer a diverse and inclusive provision.

They take children's interests into consideration when planning a range of stimulating activities. Staff take the time to get to know all children through extensive settling-in sessions and collaboration with school staff. They ensure that children are always engaged and occupied with fascinating activities that motivate them to become positive and curious learners.

Staff and leaders are excellent role models for all children. They model language well and explain and demonstrate activities effectively. For example, children have an amazing time playing a game about cars.

They discuss cars' speed and engine capacity, while staff encourage them to recall numbers with four to six digits. This helps them deepen and consolidate their mathematical knowledge acquired in school, which provides good continuity of education.Staff and leaders create fantastic opportunities to foster children's natural curiosity through reading books.

They do that independently or with the staff. Furthermore, children tell each other funny jokes and laugh with excitement. This helps further develop children's literacy skills, social interactions and emotional resilience.

Children always express a great interest in cooking activities. Supportive staff organise these sessions weekly and encourage children to join in. Children carefully make healthy choices of ingredients to add on their pizza dough, while talking about their favourite food.

They then decide how long to keep it in the oven to cook it properly. This helps enhance children's understanding of the world.Children have an amazing time accessing a wide range of games.

For example, a group of children play a board game while giggling with content. They follow the rules exceptionally well and collaborate with their peers effectively. Children persevere when challenges occur and are determined to complete the task.

This further develops their problem-solving skills and social interactions.Staff benefit from regular meetings and training that enable them to develop their practice and knowledge. They feel very well supported in their role and career growth.

In addition, they say they are very happy to work at this setting.Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for their setting. They constantly reflect on their practice and strive to deliver high-quality and inspirational care and activities for the children.

For example, they work in close partnership with the teachers from the local school to find out ways to enhance children's learning further.Partnerships with parents are strong and effective. They praise the supportive staff and value all the fun and exciting activities organised for all children.

Parents also emphasise how well staff and leaders communicate relevant information.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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