The Unicorn Nursery

The Unicorn Nursery The Unicorn Nursery, 11 Lower Broughton Road, SALFORD M7 1WE

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Inspection date 8 January 2019 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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This provision is good

n Staff engage with children positively and follow children's interests, encouraging them to play, explore and develop their imaginations with a wide range of good-quality resources. n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. They repeat key vocabulary as babies explore paint. They ask older children challenging, relevant questions. Pre-school children express their thoughts and ideas confidently. n Children quickly develop strong relationships with staff and each other as the settling-in procedures and key-person system help children to feel emotionally secure. n Staff's highly effective arrangements help to secure early intervention for children, if required. Staff work extremely closely with other agencies to support children and to promote continuity in children's care, learning and development. n Staff's effective partnerships with parents ensure that parents are engaged in their

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This provision is good

children's learning from the start. They are positive about the nursery and report that children enjoy attending and make good progress in their learning. n Members of the management team are strongly committed to providing the highest quality care and education for children. They obtain the views of parents and the staff team to help them identify many ways in which the nursery can continuously improve. n The quality of teaching is good, overall. However, there are some minor weaknesses which need to addressed to raise the quality of practice to an even higher level. n Staff do not always make the most of opportunities within the daily routine to embed clear expectations about children's behaviour, in order to help children understand what is expected of them.

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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 identify and address minor weaknesses in teaching to raise the quality of practice to an even higher level n develop opportunities within the daily routine to embed more clear expectations of children's behaviour.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities in the main play areas and indoor learning environment. n The inspector spoke with the leadership team and staff throughout the inspection. n The inspector sampled a range of documents, including those relating to the premises, staff suitability and safeguarding. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at some children's records, including their learning assessments, and spoke to some parents.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Managers and staff regularly update their skills and knowledge to promote children's welfare and safety. Staff have a comprehensive understanding of child protection issues and know how to act if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff are enthusiastic, motivated and work well together. Their professional development is encouraged. They have regular opportunities for supervision and to observe each other's practice. This promotes an effective culture of mutual support. Staff monitor children's progress effectively. They quickly identify gaps in learning and put in place strategies to help children acquire the skills they need. Leaders make good use of extra funding to provide specific activities that support children's individual learning and developmental needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan a stimulating learning environment, with a wide range of age-appropriate resources for children to choose from independently. They know the children in their care exceptionally well and talk confidently about where children are in their learning and development. Babies are confident in exploring their learning environments. They listen intently to stories and show an early interest in exploring sensory books. Toddlers initiate their own play and enthusiastically join in with singing activities. Children begin to make marks and there are frequent opportunities for pre-school children to develop their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models. They confidently promote children's good manners and encourage good hygiene practices well. Children learn to share and take turns with toys and they begin to form friendship groups. They help care for the pet animals and learn about the world around them. Staff are sensitive to each child's individual needs, routines and personal care. Staff promote children's understanding of equality and diversity well. Children begin to value other families' home experiences and beliefs. Children benefit greatly from the varied learning experiences on offer which aid their understanding of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they have plenty of opportunities to be active and to exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are well prepared with the skills they need for their eventual move on to school. Staff create many opportunities for children to develop their self-help and independence skills. This includes opportunities for children to complete manageable tasks, such as for their own personal needs and serving themselves at lunchtime. Children are gaining a positive attitude towards learning. They are developing a good knowledge of early mathematics. For example, toddlers learn to count, while those who are older start to recognise and sequence numbers. Pre-school children learn to use the correct vocabulary when describing different shapes and sizes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539782 Local authority Salford Inspection number 10079851 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 103 Name of registered person The Unicorn Nursery SA Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07703741750

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reference number

The Unicorn Nursery re-registered in 2016 due to a change in its legal entity. The nursery operates from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of bank holidays. It employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6, one holds level 4 and nine hold level 3. The provider holds 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.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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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