Sandfield Natural Play Centre

Sandfield Natural Play Centre Sandfield House, Lickers Lane, Whiston, Merseyside, L35 3SR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 March 2016 30 March 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Staff and parents enthusiastically embrace the owner's belief that children learn best outside. Children are curious, creative, highly motivated and confident learners, who are prepared exceptionally well for school life.  Teaching is exceptional. Children have immense fun in the nursery. Staff use their knowledge of how children learn and develop to provide inspiring and highly motivating activities. Children have rich and extremely rewarding experiences as they explore the inspirational outside play space. These support their imaginative skills extensively and allow them to test their abilities.  All children make excellent progress from their starting points in all areas of learning. Disabled children, those with special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language are fully supported and included. Partnerships with other agencies and funding are used extremely well to help ensure that any gaps in children's

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This provision is outstanding

learning are closing rapidly.  Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents frequently contribute towards planning for their children's learning and receive detailed information about their progress. They are offered a wealth of training and information through regular stay-and-play sessions and workshops. They have an exciting range of opportunities to participate in activities with their children.  The nursery provides children with a superb range of nutritious meals and snacks, and involves them in growing fruits and vegetables. Staff encourage good hygiene routines as part of helping children to learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

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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

 continue to sharpen the strong professional development opportunities that increase the wealth of knowledge that staff use, in order to meet the ever changing needs of children and help maintain the outstanding practice already achieved.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed joint observations with a room leader and the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider, who is also the nursery manager, and the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self- evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff know the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child. Staff are extremely well supported and supervision sessions are very effectively used to plan for their professional development. Most staff are well qualified or working towards qualifications. Managers, through their precise self- evaluation, recognise the need to continue to enrich staff's professional development. They use accurate methods to monitor the progress of all children in the nursery. They analyse the impact of learning on different groups of children. This helps to ensure that children make excellent progress and that any gaps are closing quickly.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of how to encourage and extend children's learning and development. They make outstanding use of detailed information of children's starting points to ensure they make a strong start in their learning. Children experience exciting, hands-on learning in a woodland environment, where they explore and use a wide range of tools. Staff are skilled at developing spontaneous learning opportunities. They encourage children to use magnifying glasses to investigate and discuss the features of insects they find under logs. Children become excited and develop high levels of imagination as they mix their own concoctions and potions in the mud kitchen. Younger children excitedly listen to popular stories. Excellent interactions with staff ensure that children's language is extended; new words are introduced, contributing to them making rapid progress. Older children write their name and recognise letters and numbers very

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

confidently. Babies are exceptionally well supported in their learning. Staff captivate their interest as they sit with them, sing songs and provide stimulating resources to promote their development. Children are extremely well prepared for school.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children are welcomed into a highly stimulating, vibrant environment. The playrooms are exceptionally well organised and children are able to access areas of their choice. Resources are exciting and sustain children's attention. These provide vast opportunities to extend their play and develop their independence. Children display excellent behaviour. Babies and young children thrive on the warm and consistent relationships they have built with their key person. Children's management of their own safety is impressive. During activities outdoors, they talk to staff about how to behave around the fire they are toasting buns on. This helps reinforce their understanding of managing risks for themselves.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All groups of children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, make significant progress in their learning and development. Children who speak English as an additional language are exceptionally well supported. They show high levels of involvement and concentration as they play. They are enthusiastic and are prepared exceptionally well for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY342763 Local authority Knowsley Inspection number 985665 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 76 Name of provider Suzanne and Alex Scott Partnership Date of previous inspection 30 March 2011 Telephone number 0151 4266262

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Setting details

Sandfield Natural Play Centre was registered in 2006. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including three staff who hold Early Years Professional status. One member of staff also holds Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports disabled children, those with special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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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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