Bright Sparks Child Care

Inspection of Bright Sparks Child Care Poplar Avenue, Castleford, West Yorkshire WF10 3QJ

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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

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The provision is good

Children arrive enthusiastically at nursery and greet staff warmly. They confidently say goodbye to parents, register their arrival and eagerly engage in play. Children explore the wide variety of activities and quickly become engrossed, demonstrating increasing levels of concentration. They form secure relationships with staff who recognise and value their individuality. Children receive the encouragement they need to build on their individual interests and make good developmental progress. Staff are very good role models; they are kind and respectful in their interactions. They encourage children to think about how their actions may affect others. Children begin to understand and follow the rules of the nursery. For example, children tell their friends when there are too many playing on the raised deck. They remind others they need to put boots on to jump in puddles.

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The provision is good

Staff provide good opportunities for children to develop an understanding of their local community. For example, children collect food for a community food bank and take part in a sponsored fun day to raise money for a local cause. Staff encourage children to recall these activities and their own experiences, including talking about their families. This promotes their communication and language development. Staff support children's developing independence well. Children learn to manage their own personal needs, which contributes to their self-confidence, particularly in preparation for school.

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need to do better?

n The management team is very strong. They highly value their staff team and recognise and celebrate the good work they do. Ongoing support for professional development means staff continue to develop their skills. This has a positive impact on the education and care provided to children. Close working with other professionals and outside agencies means children are further supported. For example, there are effective partnerships with the area special needs coordinator. This ensures children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive specific care and learning opportunities. Staff monitor all children's progress and use additional funding effectively. One-to-one support is used to ensure that any gaps in children's learning narrow. n Effective self-evaluation is informed by staff's and parents' views and children's progress. Management and staff take rapid action to address any areas for

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need to do better?

improvement identified. Staff discuss and reflect on how well activities motivate children. This helps them to keep children engaged in learning experiences to ensure they make good progress. However, a recently introduced planning system is not yet fully embedded in order to ensure children are supported to make more rapid progress. n Staff are keen for children to develop their speech and language skills in all

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need to do better?

9 October 2019 areas of play. Most staff are particularly skilled at this. For example, they start questions with clear open-ended phrases, such as, 'What do you think?' However, at times, other staff ask too many questions during activities. They do not always give children the time they need to think of a response before they ask a further question or offer their own suggestion. Staff offer good support to children who speak English as an additional language. They use picture prompts and speak in clear, short sentences. This helps children as they begin to understand and speak English. n Children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They proudly demonstrate their physical skills as they dig soil to plant seeds they have taken out of a pumpkin. Younger children demonstrate good hand-to-eye coordination as they pour water from different-sized vessels down drain pipes. They are excited as they see the water flow back into the water tray. Older children are skilled at

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need to do better?

using small tools, including hammers and screwdrivers. They understand how to use these safely, demonstrating increasing control in their fine-motor skills. n Partnerships with parents are a priority for staff. Parents speak very positively about the nursery, the friendliness of the staff team and how happy their children are to attend. They are pleased with how much progress their children make. Staff provide parents with regular updates about children's current interests and learning, so they can support them at home. A nursery lending library and a storybook challenge engage parents successfully. These experiences help parents to support children's developing literacy skills and promote a love of books.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children and can capably describe procedures for working with relevant agencies to protect children from harm. Safeguarding information is clearly displayed in pertinent places to remind everyone of their duty to report concerns. Detailed guidance enables staff to understand wider safeguarding issues that may affect children and is readily available. Stringent recruitment and vetting arrangements help ensure that those working with children are suitable for their role. Detailed risk assessments are completed daily to maintain a safe environment.

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should:

n embed and refine recently introduced planning systems and support staff in meticulously planning what children need to learn next n ensure staff do not overwhelm children with questions during activities and allow children enough time to think and respond before staff move on.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY405434 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10117660 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 8 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Bright Sparks Child Care Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01977 667656 Date of previous inspection 12 February 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Bright sparks child care registered in 2004 and is one of three nurseries managed by Bright Sparks Childcare Partnership. The nursery is situated in the grounds of Townville Infant School in Castleford. It employs nine members of childcare staff at this site. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one staff member with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector talked to staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n Relevant documentation, including staff's training records, safeguarding policies and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting were looked at during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation of teaching practice was conducted with the nursery manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the management team.

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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.

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Inspection activities

9 October 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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