Cygnets Childcare Centre

Inspection of Cygnets Childcare Centre Egerton Park Children's Centre, Egerton Road, Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex TN39 3HL

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children are immersed in learning through creative exploration and investigation of highly motivating activities throughout the setting. Staff are particularly skilful and use every opportunity to engage enthusiastically with the children. They have an excellent understanding of each child's individual needs and provide activities which consistently challenge and build on previous learning. For example, some boys, who prefer to be outdoors, show an excellent recall of a story as they build large brick and wood houses in the garden and try to blow them down. Children show amazing perseverance and cooperation as they carefully rebuild and solve the problem of moving large planks safely. Staff and children develop learning further, to include counting and turn taking, as they enjoy a game of hiding from the 'wolf'.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Managers and staff place children's well-being at the centre of their practice. Staff consistently model respect and develop caring and positive relationships with the children. They successfully help children to understand the effect of their behaviour on others. Staff use signing and picture clues very effectively to ensure all children can communicate well. Even babies sign their needs and understand to use 'kind hands'. Children are extremely happy and enjoy their learning in this wonderful setting. They behave extremely well.

p.2

need to do better?

n The dedicated managers inspire the enthusiastic staff to work together as a remarkable team. Managers are totally committed to ensuring that all staff are fully supported with their role. Their expert coaching and the provision of extensive, and well-targeted, training ensure staff are extremely confident and knowledgeable. n Staff responsibilities underpin the setting's extremely clear philosophy and priorities, which aim to give every child the best possible start. For example, a member of staff oversees the children's acquisition of life skills for the future. This helps to ensure children have the independence skills to succeed when they transfer to school. n Managers and staff plan and evaluate every part of the setting's practice incisively to ensure all areas of learning are promoted. Ideas for change are completely centred around the needs of the children. Managers use additional sources of funding and outside support extremely well to expand learning

p.2

need to do better?

opportunities for children and extend staff expertise. n Children readily share their huge enjoyment and wonder in learning. They show care for others as they play together and develop excellent social skills. Younger children play happily alongside others and older children form secure friendships. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are fully included and make rapid progress from their starting points.

p.2

need to do better?

8 January 2020 n Staff develop children's language and literacy extremely well through a love of carefully chosen stories and songs. Babies excitedly jump around and learn new vocabulary as they sing about the 'little bunnies'. Older children easily link sounds and letters as they read with staff in attractive story corners. Staff develop and share videos of themselves reading stories, to help parents read stories at home. n Managers and staff have developed a vast range of practical ways to engage parents in their children's learning, including routinely providing games, books and activity packs to use at home. Parents give high praise for the happy, supportive staff and managers. They greatly appreciate the advice and guidance they receive. n Staff encourage children to develop strong imaginative skills and express their ideas creatively. For example, they manipulate dough, adding resources to make cakes and pizzas, and talk freely about their play. Staff observe children's

p.2

need to do better?

learning attentively and extend their thinking by the use of extremely well- worded questions. Children make 'pizza ovens' from cardboard boxes and turn these into robots as the play develops. n Staff expertly organise routines, such as snack time, to allow maximum time for children to develop their own ideas and build thinking skills as they play. Children show exceptionally high levels of concentration and continual motivation. n Staff actively teach children to understand the world around them and differences between people. For example, they explore using Braille and children describe what they can feel in a game.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers ensure that safeguarding is a key focus and a shared responsibility in the setting. Staff have a strong knowledge of the safeguarding policies and procedures. They fully understand their role in protecting children from harm and how to report concerns. Managers have developed considerable expertise in supporting children and families where there are concerns and work well with outside professionals, such as social workers. Managers make good use of the comprehensive recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff use thorough double-checking procedures to help keep children with allergies or medical needs safe.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY300796 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10128599 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person East Sussex County Council

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01424 725 880 Date of previous inspection 13 August 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Cygnets Childcare Centre registered in 2005 in Bexhill, East Sussex. It is open on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8am to 6pm and on Wednesday and Thursday from 8am to 5pm (available until 6pm), for 50 weeks of the year. The setting offers funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 11 members of staff, all of whom hold a recognised early years qualification at level 3 or above.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching in all rooms and assessed the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk around the setting and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of staff practice. n Some parents gave their views about the setting to the inspector and these were taken into account. n The inspector talked to children and staff and met with the manager and senior manager to look at relevant documentation.

p.4

Inspection activities

8 January 2020 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.4

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.

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