Bright Horizons Milford Day Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Bright Horizons Milford Day Nursery and Preschool Milford Road, Walton-on-the-Hill, Stafford, Staffordshire ST17 0LA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and safe in this stimulating environment. Babies explore the new textures of sponges and fabric and begin to develop skills, such as sitting independently. Younger children enjoy the outdoor area. They develop their physical skills by walking across a secure bridge and happily chasing bubbles. Staff encourage children to be independent and carry out small tasks. For instance, during lunchtime older children pour their own drinks and after they have eaten they clear away their plates. Children learn from a varied curriculum. Older children explore mathematical concepts throughout the environment. For example, children use a tape measure to determine the distance cars travel down the ramp and write down the numbers from one to 20. Staff support children's play effectively. They help to stretch their thinking skills and build on their knowledge. Children make good progress. Children have plenty of opportunities to develop their writing skills

p.2

The provision is good

using a range of tools. For instance, younger children use blocks of ice paint to make lines and marks on paper. Children display excellent behaviour and follow the rules. Children risk assess their own activities effectively. For example, older children know the dangers of large blocks falling from the table as well as when to put the safety latch on the tape measure.

p.2

need to do better?

n A highly effective programme of training reinforces the quality of staff's practice. Leaders prioritise staff's well-being through a varied range of training opportunities, regular supervision and team meetings. As a result, staff say they feel valued and are able to professionally develop. n The effective key-person system ensures staff have a good knowledge about their key children. Staff obtain meaningful information from parents about their children when they start. This helps children to settle easily and to develop secure attachments with warm, caring staff. n Staff use effective questioning techniques which allow children to think critically. In the pre-school room, children are challenged to describe different types of materials to extend their vocabulary. Staff give children support and positive praise for their ideas. Even when a child gives an incorrect answer, the staff member praises the child's attempts.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders are reflective and have high aspirations for the setting and there is a continual drive for improvement. They use information gathered from parents, staff and children to make further enhancements. Leaders successfully create a culture of evaluative practice throughout the nursery. Room leaders use knowledge of their key children and the environment to make further improvements. n Children enjoy a variety of activities across all areas of learning. Staff provide all children with new experiences and exciting opportunities. They regularly think of

p.2

need to do better?

30 September 2019 imaginative ways to enhance experiences for children. For instance, younger children discover new types of vehicles in the construction area and push vehicles through cornflour gloop to make tracks. n Care practices are successful in helping to promote children's good health and well-being. Children receive wholesome and nutritious meals and snacks. Staff help children understand how to keep themselves healthy. For example, staff in the nursery room discuss the benefits of eating a mix of different foods for a balanced diet. n Parents have lots of opportunities to share their views with the setting. Some parents say that their children are making admirable progress. They can see that their children's confidence and social skills have improved. Staff share children's progress through regular conversations with parents. However, current strategies to share information formally fail to reach all parents.

p.2

need to do better?

n All children, including those with special educational needs, receive effective support from staff and leaders. Although staff plan around the children's abilities, some staff do not have high enough expectations for children's learning. As a result, the most able children do not always make as much progress as they are capable of.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are vigilant about children's safety. They attend regular training to ensure their safeguarding knowledge is up to date. As a result, all staff can easily recognise and identify known signs of abuse to ensure the safety of children. Staff and leaders accurately record and know how to monitor any concerns effectively should the need arise. Additional to this, leaders and staff have a clear understanding of the procedure to follow and actions to take in the event of a concern. Leaders implement an effective recruitment procedure and robust induction programme. This ensures that staff are suitable, and continue to be so throughout their employment.

p.3

should:

n strengthen staff's focus on ensuring accurate assessment of children's development in order to extend their learning to the highest level n continue to develop the already excellent partnerships with parents by offering more opportunities for all parents to formally discuss and share their child's progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY288114 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10116280 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 82 Name of registered person Asquith Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01785 665663 Date of previous inspection 19 April 2013

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Bright Horizons Milford Day Nursery and Preschool registered in 2004. It is located in the village of Walton-on-the-Hill, Stafford. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from 7am until 6pm on Monday to Friday, all year round, except for a week at Christmas and bank holidays. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk around the setting. n the inspector viewed a range of relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff, and information relating to children's learning and staff's training. n The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents and children, and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. 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 held discussions with managers and key staff members.

p.5

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

30 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6