Small Wonders Day Nursery

Small Wonders Day Nursery Small Wonders, 57 Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CHELMSFORD, CM3 5NH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 July 2017 1 February 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

 The indoor and outdoor spaces are stimulating and inviting for children. Children develop their skills and understanding across all areas of learning. They make good progress in relation to their starting points on entry to the nursery.  Staff are positive and calm. They know the children well and help them to form strong relationships. Children are happy and secure and enjoy their time at the nursery.  Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to support them to meet children's individual development and learning needs.  The provider and manager work well together. They reflect on the service that they provide and are committed to evaluating and developing all areas of the provision. They successfully identify ways to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children. Consequently, the nursery has good capacity to continue building on the already strong standards of care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff in the toddler room sometimes do not provide enough challenge to extend children's thinking skills to a higher level.  Although staff complete regular assessments of children's development, they do not always make highly effective use of the information to focus precisely on how to help children make rapid progress.

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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

 enhance teaching skills to focus more precisely on providing greater levels of challenge that help children make the best possible progress  build on the use of information gathered from assessments of individual children's learning so that specific areas of development can be targeted for really rapid progress.

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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 to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff update their knowledge regularly on child protection details and have a good understanding of all aspects of safeguarding to know what to do if they have concerns. This contributes to keeping children safe. Recruitment of staff is robust. There are effective induction procedures in place which contribute to the safe and efficient management of the nursery. A well-established programme of professional development helps all staff to improve their knowledge, understanding and practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how children learn and develop. They provide stimulating environments, giving children plenty of choice in their play. Children confidently select what they would like to do next and staff join in with their play experiences. Overall, teaching is good. Older children's understanding of the world is supported well. For example, children show interest and enthusiasm as they investigate what happens when they add water to tea bags. Staff extend children's knowledge, supporting them to use a computer to discover where tea comes from and how tea bags are made. Staff in the baby room interact with children well. For example, staff get down to children's eye level and repeat words to help extend their vocabulary. This is one of the many ways that they promote their communication and language development effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy, secure and confident. They form positive relationships with staff and this contributes to their emotional well-being. Staff help children to behave well, for example, they use simple explanations to help them understand how others may feel. Staff support children's good health well. They help children to understand about eating healthy foods, such as fruit, and drinking plenty of water. Staff encourage children to wash their hands prior to eating and to serve themselves lunch. This contributes to children's understanding of healthy hygiene routines and promotes their independence.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning and for starting school. Children have good social skills. They learn how to make friendships and show an awareness of their own needs and those of others. Children, including the very youngest, become confident and sociable learners. They are making good progress given their starting points and capabilities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY451561 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1066192 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 101 Name of registered person Small Wonders Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 1 February 2013 Telephone number 01245426724

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reference number

Small Wonders Day Nursery is one of two settings owned by the same provider. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round. Opening times are from 7am until 7pm. The nursery employs 15 members of staff to work directly with children, as well as a cook, housekeeper and administrator. There are 13 members of staff who hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above and two who are working towards an early years qualification. Additionally, one staff member is working towards early years professional status.

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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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