YMCA Childcare Water Lane

Inspection of YMCA Childcare Water Lane Sure Start, The Ark Childrens Centre, Water Lane, LOWESTOFT, Suffolk NR32 2NH

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Babies and children have fun and enjoy their time in the relaxed and welcoming nursery. They confidently engage with adults and show that they feel safe and emotionally secure. For example, children are keen to show visitors their special belongings from home and precisely explain where they put these for safekeeping. Children learn right from wrong and respond well to consistent praise and the high expectations of the staff. For example, they are keen to take care of the toys and equipment and show exceptional levels of care and concern for each other. There is an exceptional focus on helping families to access additional services and resources to meet their needs. This support has a significant impact on children's health and well-being.

p.2

The provision is good

Older children are keen to have a go, persevere and enjoy success in their chosen tasks. They show curiosity and enjoy being imaginative. Children work well together following the same theme, for example building large structures with bricks and testing out how they can make them balance safely. There are rich opportunities for children to strengthen their social skills and develop an extremely strong sense of community. For example, they delight in interacting with other adults during regular visits to a local residential care home. All children, including those in receipt of additional funding, develop the skills needed for the next stage in their education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers foster the professional development of the well-qualified staff team effectively. Regular staff meetings and supervision of staff help to ensure ongoing improvement. Staff often feed back to the team about training they have attended and are encouraged to implement new ideas to enhance children's education. Staff explain that they are very proud to work at the nursery and have a manageable workload. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make significant progress from their starting points. Key persons get to know them and meet their care needs exceptionally well. Staff show a strong commitment to working with parents and outside professionals, and draw on their expertise effectively to develop carefully tailored support for children with SEND. n The curriculum is broad and well planned well by the staff, with good regard given to children's experiences outside of the nursery. Staff observe children and

p.2

need to do better?

track their progress, which helps them to have a good understanding of what children need to learn next. However, on occasions, staff do not fully consider the differing levels of concentration and engagement of the youngest children, particularly during group activities. This means that two-year-old children sometimes struggle to listen and remain highly engaged in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

16 January 2020 n Staff focus well on extending and challenging older children's thinking skills. For example, pre-school children delight in exploring the popular 'dough station', where they are encouraged to discover what happens when they mix flour, water and fragrant herbs in different quantities. n Staff work hard to ensure parents have many opportunities to get involved in their children's learning. They ensure important information is translated into the different languages spoken by families and often ask parents to bring in items that reflect their traditions and cultural backgrounds. This helps children to develop an even deeper understanding and respect for people, families and communities beyond their own. n Children's language and communication skills are supported effectively. Staff ask questions skilfully and model more complex vocabulary to help extend children's speaking skills. For example, while playing in the sand, staff prompt children to

p.2

need to do better?

explain how to build a sandcastle in more detail and to describe what they think their sandcastle will look like. n Staff skilfully weave mathematics into children's everyday play experiences. They encourage younger children to count items as they play and use mathematical language to describe size. For example, they ask them to find three vegetables in the soil, before prompting them to find two more. n Children are extremely secure in managing everyday tasks for themselves, such as cleaning up spilt water, serving their own food and pouring drinks. Staff nurture children's independence and place an unquestionable emphasis on promoting opportunities for children to develop skills in caring for themselves.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders, managers and staff take their responsibility to safeguard children seriously. There is an expectation that staff attend regular training in child protection issues and they regularly discuss national safeguarding cases. This helps to ensure that they all know the action to take to protect children from harm and neglect. There is a particularly strong focus on supporting families to learn more about keeping children safe when they use devices online at home. Staff are safely recruited. Managers carry out rigorous checks to help ensure staff are suitable to care for children.

p.3

should:

n enhance the engagement of two-year-old children in some adult-led activities as they develop and extend their ability to concentrate and participate even more actively in the experiences.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY560835 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10133389 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 51 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person YMCA Trinity Group

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01733 373176 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

YMCA Childcare Water Lane registered in 2018. The nursery employs 17 members of staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. One member of staff holds early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm, during term time only. Funded early education is provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The nursery manager, deputy nursery manager and inspector completed a tour of the setting to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the deputy nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to children and staff throughout the inspection. She also took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection and through written feedback provided. n A meeting was held with the area manager, nursery manager and deputy nursery manager. This included a review of relevant documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and training.

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

16 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