Sandytots

Sandytots Stafford Children's Centre, Stafford, ST16 3NQ

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 November 2016 23 March 2016

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

 There is a new manager in the setting since the last inspection. She has a good knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She makes sure practice is robustly evaluated and ensures keeping up to date with safeguarding issues is given high priority.  Teaching is good and children enjoy learning. Staff confidently use the observation and assessment system in place to find out what children can do and enjoy. They use this information well to provide a challenging range of experiences to help children make good progress.  Staff quickly identify any gaps in children's learning and work closely with parents to put additional strategies in place where needed. As a consequence, children make good progress from their starting points.  Staff place a clear priority on fostering the children's personal, social and emotional development. The routine is organised well to help staff build a close relationship and

p.1

This provision is good

meet the needs of their assigned key children.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Systems to monitor the quality of teaching and coaching of new staff are not highly focused on raising the quality of teaching to an exceptional level.  Staff in the baby room do not always provide a rich range of sensory experiences, indoors and outdoors, in order to enhance further the opportunities for babies to explore.

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

 enhance further the systems in place to monitor the quality of teaching and coaching of new staff and raise the quality of teaching to an exceptional level  provide a richer range of opportunities for babies to explore indoors and outdoors, and raise their learning to an even higher level.

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

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The owner and manager effectively work together with the room leaders to motivate staff and secure improvement. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There are robust systems in place in relation to staff recruitment, vetting and induction. This ensures staff are suitable and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. All staff are suitably trained in child protection issues and know the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child. Staff are well qualified and supported well to raise their qualification and skills through additional training. Consequently, the quality of teaching is consistently good.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use an effective range of teaching skills and strategies to capture the children's interests and keep them engaged. Staff caring for children aged over two years provide a routine which offers a good balance of child-initiated play and adult-led activities. This clear focus on teaching and small-group work means staff can easily focus on their assigned key children's learning. Staff plan an exciting range of experiences which quickly captures their curiosity. For example, children in the toddler room show sustained levels of interest as they fill and decorate their musical shakers made from yogurt pots. All staff place a strong focus on promoting the children's communication and language skills. Staff often introduce new words, repeat words and encourage children to respond to their questions. Children who have special educational needs or disabilities are supported very well. Nominated staff work closely with these children and any professionals working with

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

the children ensure their care needs and individual targets are met.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff deployment is effective and helps all staff to meet children's individual care and emotional needs well. For example, staff caring for babies spend time holding young babies, rocking and feeding them. Staff provide good opportunities for children to learn about how to keep safe. For example, children have visits from the police and fire services to reinforce the importance of keeping safe. Children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, which are freshly prepared on the premises. They learn about which foods are healthy and that exercise is good for their bodies. Staff place a good focus on helping children learn about differences within the group and to respect each other. Staff provide a challenging range of physical play opportunities for children to increase and test their physical skills.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points and acquire the key skills required in preparation for school. Children are well behaved and show care and concern for others. Children are confident and increase their self-help skills as easily move around their environment and decide what to do. Children show a keen interest in counting, number and colour. They show a fondness for linking letters and sounds, and they enjoy making marks during their play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY469523 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 1045268 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 122 Number of children on roll 142 Name of registered person Sandytots Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 March 2016 Telephone number 01785256155

p.4

reference number

Sandytots was registered in 2013 and is managed by Sandytots Limited. The nursery opens on Monday to Friday and all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 26 members of staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 5, one holds a qualification at level 4, 22 hold a qualification at level 3 and one is unqualified. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

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

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

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

p.5