Blue Skies Private Day Nursery

Blue Skies Private Day Nursery 184 Crewe Road, Alsager, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST7 2JA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 October 2016 22 February 2016

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Records of children's attendance are not accurately maintained.  The provider does not ensure that potential risks to children's health and safety are identified and minimised.  Occasionally, the organisation of routine tasks and activities interrupts children's play.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, and know where and when to report any such concerns. This means that children's welfare is effectively protected.  Staff are well qualified and the quality of teaching is good. This has a positive impact on children's learning and development.  Children's early language and communication skills are promoted effectively. Staff use a range of different strategies to support children's language and extend their vocabulary. Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress.  Children learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a variety of nutritious snacks and meals, and have opportunities every day for physical exercise.  Children demonstrate a good understanding of appropriate social skills and behaviours.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that a daily record of children's hours of attendance is accurately maintained 07/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that effective arrangements are put in place so that all areas of the environment are checked on a regular basis to minimise and manage any risks to children's health and safety. 11/11/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 review the organisation of routines and activities so that children's play and learning is not disrupted unnecessarily.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities, both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector held meetings with the manager. She carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector talked with children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and the planning documentation. She viewed other documentation, such as accident records and risk assessments.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children and discussed the nursery's self-evaluation information.  The inspector took account of the views of staff, parents and children spoken to on the day.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. The risk assessment process is not robust. Management has failed to ensure that all areas of the environment are checked for potential hazards. For example, a wall in the children's outdoor play area has a substantial crack down it. This has not been identified as a potential risk to children's health and safety or risk assessed. The manager has good performance management strategies in place. Staff receive regular reviews, support and coaching. This helps to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to help children make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents are good. Staff regularly exchange information about children's learning with parents and discuss strategies to help promote learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Throughout the nursery, children are engaged, busy and make good use of the environment. They are well supported by the conscientious staff who plan challenging and stimulating activities linked to children's current interests, learning styles and individual development needs. Children thoroughly enjoy their time outdoors, where they have plenty of space to be physically active. During story time, children give animated and enthusiastic responses and enjoy retelling their experiences. Children learn that words have a meaning. Staff help them to write their name on their work. During sand and water play staff introduce ideas of quantity, volume and estimation and help children to understand about capacity. Babies confidently explore an interesting range of natural resources and activities that helps to promote their sensory development. They investigate shape sorters confidently and show good levels of perseverance to complete the task.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's safety is not assured when they play outdoors as some risks have not been appropriately assessed. Furthermore, records of children's attendance are not accurately maintained. This means, in the event of an emergency situation children's safety is put at risk. However, overall children do enjoy their time in the nursery. Staff encourage children to be independent. Staff are consistent in their approach to setting boundaries, offering gentle reminders regarding nursery rules when necessary. Children are respectful to the staff and each other, and their behaviour is good. Children take turns when playing games and happily share resources. They encourage their friends to join in their play. Staff are kind and caring towards children. They offer lots of praise and encouragement. This helps to boost children's self-esteem and to foster a 'can do' attitude.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. Children are learning key skills in readiness for their next stage of learning, including their move to school. Children are becoming increasingly independent. Older children dress themselves and manage their own personal care. Children play cooperatively alongside each other and are developing good social skills. Children are beginning to hear and say initial letter sounds. Children's mathematical skills are promoted well as they are learning to count, sort and make comparisons.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY343285 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 1041220 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 3 Total number of places 31 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Sheridan Woodcock

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 February 2016 Telephone number 01270 883893

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reference number

Blue Skies Private Day Nursery was registered in 2007. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday and all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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