Circle Centre

Inspection of Puzzle Centre Trust The Old School, Middle Claydon, Buckingham MK18 2ET

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

A highly disciplined, multi-professional team works seamlessly together to provide an exceptional curriculum of learning for children. Children benefit hugely from the support of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers to meet their diverse needs. Staff are motivated by having high expectations and ambition for all children. Teaching is finely tuned, with each child's needs known and understood by their key person. This results in individualised teaching that encourages every child to meet their full potential.

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The provision is outstanding

Fast-paced teaching and well-planned activities stimulate children, ensuring they engage and absorb learning at a rate that suits them. Children delight in an extensive range of sensory experiences. They cover their arms in shaving foam, feel the trickle of sand between their fingers and pop bubbles that staff blow for them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. Staff support children to find ways to acknowledge and recognise their strong feelings, such as looking at photographs and pictures that show children's different emotions. As children become more able to express themselves, they learn to show how they are feeling. Children know what to expect as staff show them a visual timetable. This successfully increases children's sense of security within the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Relationships with parents and families are extremely strong. Many parents travel a significant distance for their children to attend the nursery. Parents say that they appreciate the incredible support the nursery provides. Staff are skilled in providing a whole-family approach to education, including operating a highly effective outreach service. n Expert partnership working provides children with continuity. Staff share their knowledge and expertise with other settings that children attend. This contributes towards providing children with continuity in their learning and prepares them extremely well for moving on to school. n Supervision for staff is supportive and encouraging. Time is set aside for staff to complete essential paperwork, while the senior team is committed to reducing the burden of paperwork on staff. n Activities are designed to challenge children and introduce them to new experiences. For example, children are invited to sit underneath an umbrella as

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need to do better?

staff lightly pour water onto it from a watering can. Children watch staff do this first, boosting their confidence before deciding if they would like to have turn. n The majority of children start the nursery with limited or no speech. By the time they leave the nursery, after experiencing superb teaching, children have

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need to do better?

17 October 2019 developed the ability to communicate through speech or by signing or the use of symbols, enabling them to express themselves. n Children play in the soft-play room where they test out their developing physical skills. They stretch, roll and move in ways that help them to explore the environment using their larger muscles. n Children wait in eager anticipation as a member of staff teasingly says, 'Ready, steady' before unfastening the lid of a pot and sending a toy snake spiralling into the air. Children shriek with delight and surprise at this and it captures their imagination and interest. n Staff offer children praise and warmth, encouraging them to thrive in the nursery. Children develop close bonds with their key person. Staff show them genuine care and affection, helping to build their resilience and self-esteem. n Staff manage group times extremely well. Children can engage at their own

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need to do better?

pace. They are given time to watch and observe if they are not ready to take part. This helps all children to learn about being part of group and getting along with others. n Staff encourage children to use some of their own self-soothing strategies. For example, when children find the noise of group singing too loud, they place their hands over their ears. Staff recognise this and praise children for being able to find ways to help themselves to feel more content.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The senior team uses an extensive induction for new staff and volunteers to ensure that they are suitable to fulfil their roles. Safeguarding is given high priority, with staff fully understanding factors that can make children more vulnerable to abuse. Staff know how to report any concerns about children's welfare to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Staff complete regular, relevant training to deepen their awareness of child protection issues. Comprehensive policies and procedures underpin the work of staff, who all demonstrate a deep awareness of their role in keeping children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY462850 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10108852 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 5 Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Puzzle Centre Trust Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01296 733900 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Puzzle Centre Trust registered in 2013 and operates from a school house in Middle Claydon. The nursery provides care for children with autism and communication difficulties. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications, including eight staff who are qualified teachers. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9.45am until 12.15pm. On Thursday, the nursery opens from 1.15pm until 3.45pm. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday children can stay for two sessions all day, with the nursery closing at 2.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A learning walk and joint observation was undertaken with the manager. n A meeting with the manager and deputy manager was held. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a group of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

17 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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