Playhouse Day Nursery

Playhouse Day Nursery The Playhouse, 5 St. Marys Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B67 5DG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 May 2017 25 July 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff have a secure understanding of how to promote all children's learning and development. They make good use of what they know about children from their detailed observations, to measure children's progress and plan for the next steps in their learning. All children make good progress.  A strong partnership with parents promotes a shared approach to their children's learning. Parents are very well informed about the activities children take part in and how these help them to learn. Parents are given activities to try at home with their children to further involve them in their learning and development.  Children gain confidence and good self-esteem in the homely, welcoming environment. Staff set clear boundaries for children's behaviour and children are calm and settled. They form close bonds with their key person and staff meet all children's needs well.  Staff and managers are very supportive of one another. Staff are well motivated and

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This provision is good

have a clear vision for further improvements.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently use effective questioning skills to encourage children to think through problems and find answers for themselves.  Although reflection on staff practice is good, this has not yet reached the high level of detail required to raise the quality of the provision to outstanding.

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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

 make effective and consistent use of questions that encourage children to think and solve simple problems  strengthen the way in which reflection is used to identify and further enhance areas of staff practice, in order to give a greater potential for practice to reach outstanding levels.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager, who is also the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and considered their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager, who is also the provider, has a strong drive to provide a high standard of care and learning for children. She supports staff well in their professional development to improve teaching. Staff share their knowledge and skills to benefit children's learning. The manager is currently researching different ways to stimulate and encourage boys' learning to increase their engagement with activities and close any gaps in their learning. Safeguarding is effective. Recruitment processes are robust and staff's initial and ongoing suitability is checked thoroughly. The manager and staff understand how to identify and report any concerns about a child's welfare or the conduct of an adult. The manager places a high priority on keeping children safe and is very thorough in her implementation of effective policies and procedures for this.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a wide range of stimulating learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Children choose from easily accessible toys and resources in their welcoming rooms. Effective use is made of the small outdoor area. Children explore sand and water; they enjoy learning about how their plants grow. Staff help children to count and to sort objects by colour. They model mathematical language to help children to compare sizes and shapes of objects. Babies are stimulated well and explore colourful toys. Staff support them to stand and walk when they are ready and develop babies' exploration of the sounds they can make with percussion instruments. Staff work well with other professionals to provide support for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff help children to gain independence in their daily routines. Children help themselves to water when they need it. They wash their hands and faces, and clean their teeth after lunch as part of learning the importance of self-care. Staff monitor children's well-being and ensure they are happy and secure. Staff are very caring and comfort children if they are upset so they settle quickly. Staff help children to feel secure in their moves to new rooms and to school. They share information about children's progress and needs with their new key person or teacher, in order to maintain continuity of care and learning.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are interested and engaged in the activities and they concentrate well. They make independent choices in their learning. Children develop a love of books and stories and are imaginative in their pretend play. Children use a wide range of outdoor equipment at the nursery and other venues to increase their large-muscle skills. They are well prepared for the next stages in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 255146 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1063859 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 50 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Yvonne Jennifer Kerr

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 July 2013 Telephone number 0121 429 4261

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reference number

Playhouse Day Nursery registered in 1987 and is one of three settings owned by the provider. The provider employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and two at level 2. Two are apprentices and one member of staff holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two, three and four-year-old children.

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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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