The Squirrels Childcare Centre Ltd

The Squirrels Childcare Centre Ltd 49 Toronto Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 0PD

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Inspection date 1 October 2018 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The management team is committed to regularly seeking the views of children, parents and staff. Managers use this information to drive meaningful improvements. Parents speak highly of the variety of enjoyable activities provided for children and the good progress they are making. n Staff make regular observations and assessments of children's learning. They use this information to plan enjoyable experiences that support children's interests and what they need to learn next. n Children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks and supported well to learn about leading healthy lifestyles. Staff effectively promote children's independence, self-care and social skills. n The majority of children make consistently strong progress, given their starting points. This includes children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n The manager does not use highly effective, incisive methods to monitor the effectiveness of staff teaching and practice, to help consistently raise the quality to the highest possible level and support children to make the best possible progress. n Staff do not maximise information sharing with all parents to promote consistency in children's learning.

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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

n enhance the monitoring of staff teaching to share good practice across the team and raise the quality of provision to the highest possible level n build on the strategies used to share ongoing information with parents to promote consistency in children's learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n 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. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a robust understanding of child protection issues. They have a confident knowledge of how to identify and deal with concerns should a child be abused or neglected. Staff promptly manage potential risks and hazards and keep children safe and secure. They are provided with regular training, to help enhance their knowledge and skills. For example, staff plan a stimulating learning environment and encourage children's motivation to explore, experiment and develop their critical-thinking skills. Staff establish strong partnership working with other professionals to promote a consistent approach to support children's care needs, learning and development. Additional funding is used effectively. The manager has invested in resources to promote children's communication skills, helping prepare them to be ready for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff interact well with children and welcome their contributions. They use effective teaching strategies to promote all areas of learning and support children to build on their current skills. Staff engage older children in purposeful conversations and ask questions to check their understanding. They give children plenty of time to listen, think and respond, and to develop confidence to share their views and opinions. Staff repeat babies' communications and sing repetitive songs and rhymes. They introduce new words and build on children's language skills well. Children are supported effectively to learn about number concepts using a range of activities and everyday routines. They develop confidence in their own abilities as they practise their physical skills. For example, children use the large play apparatus and work out how to balance the crates so they can climb onto them safely.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models for children and give gentle reminders of expectations. Children behave very well and play cooperatively together. Staff provide parents with flexible settling-in sessions and get to know children well. Children arrive with confidence and develop a strong sense of belonging as they explore the environment and access the interesting resources. They have plenty of opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and play with enthusiasm, energy and vigour. Children are confident and self-assured. Their physical and emotional well-being is promoted effectively by the kind and caring staff.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery and make friends easily. They are active and independent with an enthusiasm for learning. Children are eager to join in and have a go, solve problems and enjoy taking on a challenge. They learn to take manageable risks and keep themselves safe. Children develop good early writing skills and are creative and imaginative in their play. They invite others to join in games and are motivated to find things out, investigate and experiment. All children acquire the key skills for future learning and any gaps diminish over time.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498819 Local authority Blackpool Inspection number 10059901 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person The Squirrels Childcare Centre Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01253592813

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reference number

The Squirrels Childcare Centre Ltd registered in 2016. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 2, including one staff member who holds qualified teacher status, one who holds a qualification at level 5 and six staff who hold qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language and children who have SEN and/or disabilities.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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