Small Wonders

Small Wonders Sutton Road, Peasley Cross, St Helens, Merseyside, WA9 3BN

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2017 10 November 2015

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 make good progress in their development given their individual starting points. Staff tailor their teaching for each child and encourage all children to be active, involved and learning.  Children are well cared for. Staff promote positive relationships. They plan a wide range of activities and experiences that challenges and interests children.  The provider has a strong commitment to self-evaluation. They seek the views of parents and others, such as local schools. They use the information gained to help assess and further develop the quality of their service.  The provider promotes equality and values diversity effectively. They ensure their premises, equipment and activities are welcoming and accessible to all children.  Partnerships with other professionals and local schools are strong. This actively contributes to children's well-being and development.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff in the baby room have not given enough thought to how they present and use resources. As a result, babies do not have enough opportunities to decide for themselves what they would like to play with or where and how they would like to play with it.  Staff do not involve parents as fully as possible in the assessments of their child's progress.

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

 support children in the baby room more effectively to be able to make independent choices about what to play with, and where and how they would like to play with it  involve parents more in assessments of their child's development to help gain a more consistent and broader picture of their achievements.

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 talked to staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and met with the nursery manager.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector took account of the views of parents and children from information in the nursery's records and by talking to some parents.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff's knowledge of child protection issues and local procedures is strong. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust. Staff have a good understanding of their role in keeping children safe. Managers maintain clear records required for children's welfare. They have clear procedures for safeguarding, managing behaviour, dealing with any accidents and managing complaints. Managers carefully monitor children's outcomes and staff performance to help identify ways to continuously improve. Staff have good opportunities to attend training and to update their skills. The well-established relationships with professional agencies, including the local authority, help staff to identity and plan for each child's unique needs. Additional funding is used effectively to help all children enjoy and achieve well. A dedicated parents' room and clear displays help staff to welcome families into the nursery.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff promote children's communication skills well. They use picture cards and sign language and they speak clearly. They implement individual plans to help ensure that each child is fully supported. This includes children who speak English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children enjoy talking, listening and joining in with stories and action songs. Staff build children's understanding as they play. They count, think aloud, use good vocabulary and pose questions. Staff give children gentle clues to help them. They remind them of past activities, exaggerate the initial sounds of words and give them time to think. Children show great pride as they match numbers or use small tools. They focus well as they make pictures or shape dough.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have good relationships with staff. They happily go to staff for comfort and cuddles. The well-planned outdoor provision helps all children to be active. Challenging play equipment, safety flooring and good staff supervision help them to enjoy physical challenges and develop their confidence. Staff support children effectively to stay safe, follow good hygiene routines and make healthy choices at mealtimes. Children behave well. Staff notice if they begin to tire or get restless during small-group activities. They adapt their teaching to retain children's interest and promote good behaviour. Children listen to staff and understand the need for rules. Staff promote respect in daily and planned activities. When children move between age groups or on to school, these transitions are well planned for. Children are active and happy.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are developing confidence and a love of learning. Any emerging gaps in their development are swiftly identified and addressed. Children are inquisitive and creative. They are prepared well for the next stage in their learning, including school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484584 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 1097524 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 - 4 Total number of places 156 Number of children on roll 142 Name of registered person Small Wonders Day Care Nursery (Peasley Cross) Limited

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 November 2015 Telephone number 01744759768

p.4

reference number

Small Wonders registered in 2014. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year old children.

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