Small Wonders Day Care Nursery and Enhanced Activity Centre

Small Wonders Day Care Nursery and Enhanced Activity Centre Sunbury Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 3RE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 December 2017 7 July 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

 Staff use observations well and make accurate assessments of children's progress. They plan for what each child needs to learn next and support all children, including those who have special needs and/or disabilities, to make good progress in their development.  The management team is ambitious and has high expectations of the staff and what children can achieve. Leaders seek the views of parents, children and staff and set priorities to improve the quality of provision.  Staff provide plenty of time for all children to explore, investigate and become engaged in activities. They use effective strategies to extend children's critical-thinking skills.  The kind and caring staff provide each child with a warm welcome. They get to know children well and value their contributions and opinions. Children settle in quickly.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The new management team has not been in place long enough to ensure that the new programme of staff training, monitoring and supervision is fully developed to promote the quality of teaching and learning to the highest level.  Staff do not consistently communicate with all parents about their children's learning, at the nursery and at home. 2 of 5

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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

 build on the programme of staff training, monitoring and supervision to ensure that it is effective, to help to raise the quality of teaching and learning to the highest level  enhance the methods used to engage all parents in their children's learning at the nursery and at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector was carried out as part of the risk assessment process, following information received by Ofsted.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held meetings with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a robust understanding of child protection issues and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Staff conduct rigorous risk assessments and follow good hygiene procedures. They know the procedures to follow should they be worried that a child is being abused. Staff establish strong partnerships with other professionals and additional funding is used effectively to support children's development. For example, the management team has invested in physical exercise sessions. These have contributed towards children's increasing social skills and a growing confidence in their own abilities. Parents speak highly of the progress that their children are making and of the kind and caring staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide an inviting learning environment in which children access high-quality resources of their choice. They use a range of effective teaching methods to promote children's communication and language skills. Staff are very good storytellers and stimulate children's interest and curiosity. Babies are excited to see what is inside the bag of props that staff use to enhance stories. They join in with action songs with enthusiasm and eagerness. Older children are given plenty of time to think and respond to questions and they listen attentively to instructions. Children enjoy experimenting with a range of media and materials and relish working things out for themselves. They make predictions, such as the colours they will make by mixing different paints. Children are motivated well to play and learn.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff gather information from parents from the start, to establish children's care needs and routines. They get to know children well and are good role models. Staff help children to make friends and play cooperatively with others. Children behave very well and enjoy sharing each other's achievements together. They are confident and self-assured. Staff ensure that the environment is maintained at a comfortable temperature to meet the needs of children. They provide nutritious meals and help children to make healthy choices. Children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors and take part in the physical exercise sessions with enthusiasm, vigour and energy. Children develop good independence skills and their physical and emotional well-being are supported very well.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special needs and/or disabilities, are making at least good progress, given their starting points. They are active and enthusiastic learners who enjoy taking on a challenge and trying new things. They are developing the skills and attitudes that they need for future learning and in readiness for school. Children develop their self-care and toileting skills and are keen to offer to undertake small tasks. They listen attentively to others and are eager to join in and contribute to discussions. 4 of 5

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY421911 Local authority St. Helens Inspection number 1118762 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 - 5 Total number of places 84 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person Small Wonders Day Care Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 July 2014 Telephone number 07787724988

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reference number

Small Wonders Day Care Nursery and Enhanced Activity Centre registered in 2011. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including three staff members who hold a qualification at level 6, seven at level 3 and one at level 2. 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.

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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. 5 of 5

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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

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 .

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reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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