Reach For The Stars @ Knypersley

Inspection of Reach For The Stars @ Knypersley Staffordshire County Council, Knypersley First School, Newpool Road, Knypersley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 6NN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive confidently at this warm and friendly nursery. They settle quickly to their chosen activity and excitedly greet their friends. The nursery is very welcoming and staff have calm and loving relationships with children. The effective key-person system helps children to feel safe and secure. They actively seek out their key person for reassurance and enjoy lots of cuddles. Children learn through an effective balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. As a result, they are making good progress from their starting points. Children are motivated and become deeply engaged in their play. They benefit from a wide range of interesting resources that capture their imagination and curiosity. For example, children enjoy dressing up in coloured scarves pretending to be princesses and characters from their favourite films. They spend time constructing narratives in their play and independently access resources to support this. Staff use successful strategies to

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The provision is good

promote positive behaviour and raise children's self-esteem. For example, staff reward children with stickers and an abundance of praise. As a result, children's behaviour is good. Children learn about different cultures and celebrations through activities and discussions. This helps them to develop an understanding of diversity beyond their immediate experiences. Children learn about the importance of dental hygiene. They talk about visiting the dentist and delight in using toothbrushes to clean laminated pictures of teeth.

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need to do better?

n Children are encouraged to develop a love of books. They snuggle up to staff on the sofa and listen to stories. Children act out the story of the 'Three little pigs'. They work together to build a den using blankets and pretend to blow it down. Children talk about the feelings of the characters in the story, demonstrating a good understanding of emotions. This helps them to manage their own feelings and behaviour. Overall, children's personal, social and emotional well-being is supported well. n Children benefit from a range of enjoyable activities that help to develop their physical skills and support a healthy lifestyle. For example, they enjoy taking part in weekly yoga sessions and swimming lessons. Children are supported well to learn about the world around them through regular outdoor play in the forest school area. They learn about the living world and have lots of fun digging in the mud with real garden tools.

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need to do better?

n Children are supported well to evaluate and manage their own risks. For example, they confidently use crates and tyres to make their own obstacle course. As a result, children develop good levels of independence. Staff encourage children to take an active part in their own self-care and to carry out age-appropriate tasks. Staff act as excellent role models. They speak respectfully to children and listen carefully to what they say. However, occasionally, staff do

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need to do better?

8 January 2020 not engage as effectively as possible with children during self-chosen activities and play. n The passionate staff provide engaging opportunities for children to practise mark making and to develop early writing skills. For example, children excitedly draw circles with their finger in foam and examine the marks they make. They squeal with delight when they clap their hands together and the foam sprays over them. However, at times, staff miss opportunities to extend children's learning even further to build more precisely on what they already know and can do. n The manager and staff establish good partnerships with parents. They share information with them about their children's progress and invite them to contribute to their child's learning journey. Parents speak positively about the care and support their children receive. They say that the approachable staff feel like 'family' and their children are always happy to come to the nursery.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated manager has high expectations and is very reflective. She supports staff well and incorporates their suggestions into future plans to improve the quality of the provision she provides even further. The manager and staff work effectively in partnership with the teachers from the adjoining school to help provide continuity in children's care and learning. As a result, children are well prepared for their eventual move to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a robust understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse. They have a good understanding of wider safeguarding concerns, including being drawn into extreme situations. The manager and staff have a comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding protocols and actions to take if they have any concerns about the welfare of a child. The environment is safe and secure. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid and are proactive in keeping their safeguarding training and knowledge up to date. The manager carries out appropriate checks for new staff to assess and ensure their suitability to work with children.

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should:

n increase opportunities to further challenge and extend children's learning to build more precisely on what they already know and can do n recognise opportunities to engage children in conversations during their play and self-chosen activities to further support their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545084 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10130710 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 Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Reach For The Stars Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01782 517433 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Reach For The Stars @ Knypersley registered in 2017 and is situated in Stoke-on- Trent, Staffordshire. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 3, 5 and 6. 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 indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development. She completed a learning walk with the manager to discuss how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager of an adult-led activity. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and owner of the nursery. n The inspector spoke to staff and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of the staff working in the nursery.

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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

8 January 2020 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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