Happy Days Childcare

Happy Days Childcare Ecton Brook Children's Centre, Ecton Brook Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN3 5DY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 March 2015 23 May 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is consistently good. Staff observe, assess and effectively plan for children's individual learning. This results in children being provided with a good range of fun and interesting activities that cover the seven areas of learning.  Children's personal, social and emotional development is given high priority across the nursery. As a result, children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure, which successfully develops their confidence and supports their emotional well-being.  Management and staff establish good partnerships with parents, and strong links with other professionals and early years providers. This results in an integrated approach to the children's care, learning and development.  There is a strong capacity for continuous improvement. The manager and her team successfully evaluate their strengths and identify where they could improve. Consequently, this practice improves outcomes for children and their families.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children's involvement and developing literacy skills are not always fully promoted during some activities, such as baking.  Staff do not always make the best use of the grassed outdoor environment to enhance children's curiosity of the natural world and to challenge their physical skills.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 extend opportunities to support children's involvement and developing literacy skills, for example, by introducing pictorial and written recipe cards and providing children with their own utensils  enhance outdoor learning, for example, by providing regular gardening opportunities, and different arrangements of resources and activities to challenge children's developing physical skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playroom and outdoor areas.  The inspector held meetings with the nominated representative of the committee and the manager.  The inspector spoke with children and the staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children and discussed self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This is good

Staff become actively involved in children's play and skilfully question them during activities. This encourages the children to think, experiment and demonstrate their existing skills and knowledge. As a result, children are developing the skills and capacity to learn in preparation for school. Staff skilfully incorporate mathematical concepts, such as big and small as the children build sandcastles. They encourage children to count, measure objects and support them to solve problems as they complete puzzles. Staff work hard to support children who speak English as an additional language and those with particular needs. They use visual aids, encourage children to join in familiar rhymes and successfully introduce new vocabulary, such as 'sticky' and 'fluffy', as the children play. Younger children enjoy early mark making. They thoroughly enjoy the sensory and physical experience of moving their hands around the shaving foam. Older children are

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who attend. This is good

beginning to give meaning to their marks as they chalk on the pavement. Children enjoy baking activities. However, occasionally staff do not consider opportunities for the children to follow and read the recipe card and sometimes children wait too long for their turn.

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good

The whole nursery environment is very welcoming. Staff genuinely value children as individuals and nurture their development. Children confidently explore their surroundings and independently select their desired activities. However, staff do not always maximise learning experiences in the grassed outdoor area. For example, opportunities to dig and plant flowers in the soil are restricted because the area is overgrown. Additionally, staff do not always effectively use the available resources and equipment to extend and challenge children's physical skills. Children's behaviour is managed well by the staff. As a result, children are learning to manage their emotions, to share and take their turn. Staff promote healthy lifestyles, which successfully contributes towards their continuing health and well-being. All children have regular access to the outdoors for fresh air and exercise. They enjoy a range of nutritional foods. Mealtimes are successfully used to promote the

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good

children's social development, their sense of responsibility and self-care skills. Children select their food preferences, pour their own drink and independently wash their utensils.

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provision is good

Management and staff maintain a safe environment for the children and closely supervise them at all times. They fully understand their responsibilities in relation to child protection concerns. This ensures children remain safe and well protected. Recruitment and selection procedures are robust. Disclosure and Barring Service checks are completed for all staff and committee members. The educational programmes are effectively monitored by the manager who has an enthusiastic approach towards leading her team. Staff are well qualified for their roles. They receive regular supervision, professional development is actively encouraged and there is a strong team ethos. As a result, children receive quality learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY297068 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 861600 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 59 Name of provider Happy Days Childcare Committee Date of previous inspection 23 May 2011 Telephone number 01604 409280

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Setting details

Happy Days Childcare was registered in 1996. The group employs eight members of childcare staff. All members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 11.30am, and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery offers a lunch club from 11.30am until 12.30pm and operates a holiday playscheme during the school holidays.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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