Small Wonders

Small Wonders 115 Church Road, Haydock, ST. HELENS, Merseyside, WA11 0JU

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 April 2016 24 July 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children have good relationships with staff and each other. Children have conversations, ask questions and respect each other's views. This helps them to develop their social skills.  Partnerships with parents, external agencies and schools are strong. Children receive very good support which contributes to meeting their care needs successfully and improving outcomes.  Self-evaluation is accurate and clear action plans are in place for future improvements. The manager and the staff are highly focused and committed to delivering a continual good level of care and learning experiences to children.  Staff use their accurate assessments from their observations of children, alongside input from parents, to support children's progress effectively. They plan for the next steps in their learning with a wide range of activities that covers all areas. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Overall, the key-person system is strong, although, there is scope to ensure that the needs of younger children are met to an even higher level.  The organisation of some resources makes it difficult for younger children to choose what they want to play with or to fully explore and access them independently.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the already good key-person system to provide even more opportunities that enhance children's emotional well-being even further  enhance opportunities for children to make choices, initiate their own play and lead their own learning.

p.2

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 a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the area manager.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the nursery.  The inspector spoke to staff, children and a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out a tour of the nursery.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are clear about the importance of acting swiftly if they have any concerns regarding the welfare of children. Staff teach children how to be safe in various situations and carry out thorough risk assessments to provide a safe and secure environment. Since the last inspection the manager has implemented clear systems to monitor staff practice and children's progress. Furthermore, frequent, high-quality supervision meetings are carried out. This has greatly improved the high quality of teaching and the additional focused staff training that takes place. Parents are very appreciative of the support and time that staff give to them and their child and say it is a happy, caring environment.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified. They have a good knowledge of children's interests and stages of development and use this well to plan activities and support children as they play. Children learn about growth, decay and the natural world around them. They dig the mud, water flowers and discuss the vegetables that are growing. Staff promote mathematical concepts well and children count, compare size and are introduced to concepts, such as, more and full. A strong emphasis is placed on promoting children's communication and language skills. Staff repeat sounds that babies make and introduce new words to younger children, such as, spin and twist, as they pour water on rotating wheels. Additionally, older children are engaged in activities that support them in recognising letters and hearing sounds in words. This helps support and extend children's language, thinking and literacy skills and prepares them in readiness for school.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide an environment that is warm and welcoming to children. Flexible settling-in sessions work well and children's needs are considered as they move to the next room in the nursery or to school. Overall, a wide range of resources is offered and children are motivated to try new experiences that are available to them. Children behave well. They listen to instructions and understand nursery rules. Staff support children in gaining knowledge about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the effect it has on their bodies. Furthermore, children follow thorough hygiene procedures, such as brushing their teeth, wiping their noses and washing their hands before eating. They have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and benefit from fresh air and exercise.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident, active learners and all make good progress. Different groups of children, including children who have special educational needs or disability, are monitored. Furthermore, an overview of nursery data is evaluated regularly. This helps to identify and assess any early interventions that are needed and any emerging gaps in children's learning are consistently narrowing.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY392745 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 1023306 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 - 5 Total number of places 126 Number of children on roll 135 Name of provider Small Wonders Day Care Nursery Limited Date of previous inspection 24 July 2015 Telephone number 01744627925

p.4

Setting details

Small Wonders was registered in 2009. The nursery opens from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It also operates a breakfast club from 7.30am until 8.45am, an after-school club from 3pm until 6pm, and a holiday club from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children with special educational needs or disability. It also supports children who speak English as an additional language. There are 21 staff who work with the children. One holds Early Years Teacher status and 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications between level 3 and level 6.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Setting details

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Setting details

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

p.5