Manadale Nursery ...

The Mannadale nursery opened in September 1988. The nursery a Christian based nursery serves the local area and the wider community. Mannadale is very well resourced to support all children's individual needs, which includes children who speak English as an additional language.

The nursery opens five days a week during school term time. Sessions are from 09:10 until 11:40 Tuesday until Friday and 12:20 until 14:50 Monday until Thursday. Three full time staff work with the children. All the staff members have early years qualifications to NVQ level two or three and one holds a PGCE in Early Years. The setting receives support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).

Mannadale nursery provides good care for children.

There is an enthusiastic, organised staff team with relevant childcare qualifications, providing a secure and reassuring environment. The nursery is well maintained. The environment is bright, clean and extremely welcoming to both parents and children.  Procedures and arrangements are in place to ensure children's safety. Children's dietary requirements are recognised and met within a carefully planned snacks.

There are very good activities available to the children both indoors and outdoors. Children have access to a wide range of toy's and equipment that positively reflect diversity and meet their individual needs. Children are interested in their play, supported by adults who are intuitive of their individual needs and provide them with praise and encouragement. There is a sensitive and consistent approach to managing unacceptable behaviour and the staff are excellent role models for the children.

Good relationships are established with the parents. Parents have full access to information about the setting and are kept informed about their individual children through daily contact with staff and access to their records. A complaints policy is available to the parents.

Organisation of the nursery is very good. Children experience an excellent range of activities and learning opportunities within a well resourced, welcoming environment both indoors and outdoors. A very effective operational plan is in place and available to the parents. Staff are committed to training and ensure they are up to date with current child care practice.

Staff have a sensitive, appropriate and consistent approach to management of behaviour. They are excellent role models for the children. Partnership with parents is clearly valued. There are regular opportunities for parents to discuss their children's progress. Staff are committed in providing opportunities for communication.

Excellent use is made of the outdoor play space. It is very well resourced and accessible to the children throughout the session. The possibilities for children to explore, learn and have fun within areas such as the sensory garden and the fairy garden are endless. The garden is a "magical" place to play.

The provision of nursery education at Mannadale nursery is very good. It enables children to make very good progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning.

Leadership and management are very good. The manager has a strong ethos for the group that is based on Christian principles. There is effective team work with all staff aware of their roles and responsibilities. The staff are forward thinking and have plans for future development. Appraisal system ensure professional development for individual staff. The commitment to training maintains the high quality of education and care offered.

Parents are provided with very good information about all aspects of the setting. They are kept informed about their children's progress and can look at records at anytime. Parents have opportunities to have informal discussion with staff every day. They are encouraged to extend learning opportunities at home. Parents speak very positively about the setting.

The nursery has a child centred approach. Children are in control of their own learning, with staff at hand to support and encourage. They use a range of teaching strategies without being intrusive. Excellent use of all parts of the premises and resources enable the children to make good progress in all six areas of learning. Children's behaviour is very good in response to consistent management and high expectation of staff. Children are caring and considerate towards one another and are able to consider the consequences of their actions.

Parents written responses express a high level of satisfaction on all aspects of the provision, in particular how well they are informed about their child's development.