Mazehill Nursery

Mazehill Nursery 61-65 Burncross Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield, S35 1RX

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 February 2017 7 August 2013

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

 Staff use observations and assessments to plan purposeful activities based on children's next steps in learning. All children make good progress in their learning and development.  Children are well behaved and they quickly learn the nursery rules and codes of behaviour that help to keep them safe. They are encouraged to share and take turns as they play alongside each other.  Children's good health is supported well. Fresh, home cooked and healthy meals and snacks are provided.  Thorough recruitment and induction procedures help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. The management team has effective systems in place to ascertain the ongoing suitability of staff.  Partnerships with parents and other providers are strong and provide continuity in children's learning and development. Staff update parents on their children's progress regularly and support their learning at home.  Parents are very complimentary about the care and learning that their children receive.

p.1

This provision is good

They comment that they feel confident that their children are well cared for and say, 'It's like leaving them with family'.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Teaching in the outdoor environment is not as strong as teaching inside; children are not consistently supported to extend their learning, particularly those who prefer to learn outside.  Staff do not provide enough opportunities for children to extend their thinking skills and solve problems.

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

 help staff enhance their practice in supporting children's play and learning in the outdoor environment so that children, particularly those who prefer to learn outside, are consistently engaged  provide children with more opportunities to think critically and solve the problems they encounter as they play, to enhance their learning further.

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. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager is highly dedicated to her role in the nursery and she leads a well-qualified staff team. The manager regularly monitors staff teaching practice. For example, she observes staff in practice and provides them with feedback on their strengths and areas to develop. This, along with supervision meetings and appraisals, helps identify staff training needs. As a result, staff attend regular, targeted training to support their professional development and enhance their knowledge. This means that children benefit from improved learning experiences delivered by the experienced staff. A system to monitor and track the progress of different groups of children across the nursery is used effectively. This helps to ensure that gaps in the learning of different groups of children are closed as swiftly as possible. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report their

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

concerns. Staff are confident about reporting any concerns they may have about other staff members. This helps ensure children's welfare.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is generally good. Staff know the children well and successfully provide them with a stimulating environment and a wide range of activities. Staff provide opportunities for children to explore books and learn to identify letters and their sounds. This helps them build on their early literacy skills. Babies love to explore and investigate. They enjoy looking at photographs of themselves and recognise their friends. This gives young children a sense of belonging from an early age. Toddlers enjoy using their senses to explore different textures. They develop good physical skills as they use their hands to manipulate the malleable dough.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Babies form close emotional bonds with the caring staff. Children respond well to their reassurance. For instance, staff speak soothingly to them when they are unsettled and children snuggle in their arms. Staff encourage children's independence skills from an early age. For example, toddlers are encouraged to put on their own coats. Older children serve their meals and manage their own personal hygiene routines. Staff plan activities that support children's awareness of their own safety. For example, they help each other balance across crates of different heights as they move from one side of the playground to the other. Children learn about festivals celebrated by others, contributing to their growing understanding of diversity.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those in receipt of funding, make good progress from their starting points. Those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities receive a good range of support to help them quickly catch up in their development. Children enjoy their time at the nursery. They are keen learners and have a positive attitude to learning. Children are willing to have a go, persevering with tasks and showing pride in their achievements. Children gain useful skills for future learning, including their eventual move on to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY365933 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 1065085 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 - 11 Total number of places 115 Number of children on roll 181 Name of registered person 1st Safari Day Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 August 2013 Telephone number 0114 245 4500

p.4

reference number

Mazehill Nursery opened in 2008. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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