Unicorn Day Nursery

Unicorn Day Nursery Shelsey Avenue, Whiteheath, Oldbury, B69 1BP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 June 2017 4 April 2014

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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

 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 share ideas to support their continued learning at home. Children make good progress based on their starting points and are motivated to learn.  Staff and leaders monitor children's development closely and identify any gaps in their learning. They work closely with specialist professionals to close any identified gaps and ensure good outcomes for all children, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.  Children are motivated to learn and become immersed in their play. For example, they focus well as they pour water down a funnel and watch balls cascade down.  Children develop good social skills and interact well, playing happily with friends and inventing games together. They are well prepared for the next stage in their learning,

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This provision is good

such as moving on to school.  An effective key-person system helps staff to develop a secure knowledge of all children and their families. Staff are attentive and ensure that all children's needs are met.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff complete some practical tasks that older children can do for themselves.  During some planned creative activities, staff limit children's choices, which does not support their imaginative thinking fully.

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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

 increase opportunities for older children to complete tasks for themselves in order to help them become more confident in their own abilities  give children more opportunities to explore their own creative ideas in order to develop their thinking skills even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed teaching practices, and the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspectors held discussions with managers, staff, children and parents.  The inspectors read some of the setting's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.  The inspectors sampled children's development information and records.  The inspectors carried out joint observations with the managers.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Self-evaluation is effective and leaders are fully committed to maintaining and improving the quality of the service they offer. They help staff reflect carefully on their practice and provide opportunities for them to continue to improve their professional skills. For example, recent training has helped staff identify how they can further improve arrangements for supporting children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. They have a clear understanding of the process to follow should they need to report any child protection concerns.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff help children develop their physical skills. For example, babies pull themselves up as they start to stand and walk around furniture. Older children balance carefully on blocks and tyres, and use climbing equipment safely. Staff plan an interesting range of activities that encourages children to investigate and make new discoveries, and children enjoy exploring sensory materials, such as sand and foam. Staff support children's communication and language development successfully. For example, they help children communicate through sign language, sing songs and talk to children as they play. Staff provide many effective opportunities for children to develop their early literacy skills. Babies enjoy making marks with paint and older children listen carefully to identify sounds in words. Children are inspired by their favourite stories and recreate these in their role play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support children's emotional security well. For example, they offer praise and encouragement throughout activities and help children to develop their self-esteem and confidence. Staff are friendly and nurturing and children are happy and secure. Staff are positive role models and use a range of strategies to manage children's behaviour successfully. Children behave well and learn to respect each other. Staff plan a wide range of activities and events to help children learn about the community they live in and to celebrate diversity. For instance, children hear stories from around the world, try a range of different foods and learn about the many ways people celebrate. Staff support children's good health effectively. Children learn about hygiene practices and enjoy nutritious meals, and staff encourage them to be physically active in the well-resourced outdoor area.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop their understanding of the world and enjoy learning about plant life. For example, they have fun using potatoes they have grown in the mud kitchen as they pretend they are cooking. Children enjoy using their senses to compare the scents of the herbs, such as liquorish, lemon balm and basil. They make good progress with their mathematical understanding and learn to read and write numbers and use language to compare size. Children are confident communicators and express their good ideas clearly.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY386701 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1088072 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 73 Number of children on roll 115 Name of registered person Sandwell Supply Nursery Services Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 4 April 2014 Telephone number 0121 552 5242

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reference number

Unicorn Day Nursery registered in 2009. It operates in Oldbury, West Midlands. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. The nursery employs 22 staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 5. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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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