Splat Day Nursery & Forest School

Inspection of Splat Day Nursery & Forest School Bridge End Road, Henlow SG16 6DD

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children happily enter the nursery where they are warmly greeted by their friends and staff. They engage in their chosen activity and enjoy exploring the wonderful outdoor play area. They know to wear waterproof suits and wellington boots on rainy days, and display impressive independence skills as they skilfully attach the clasps together. Children are confident and physical learners. For example, they carefully manoeuvre themselves over and along the wooden balancing beams. They shout gleefully to their friends, 'Look at me!' This positively enhances their enjoyment of physical exercise.

p.2

The provision is good

Children form trusting and meaningful relationships with staff, which help children feel safe and secure. Children are very polite and behaviour is good. Any age- related negative behaviour is managed quickly and effectively by staff. Children know to wash their hands before eating, which encourages good hygiene routines. Staff encourage children to develop their independence during mealtimes. This is demonstrated as they skilfully transfer raw vegetables onto their plates by using tongs at snack time. Older children learn about good oral hygiene. For instance, they use shaving foam and toothbrushes to brush a large set of silicone teeth. They have great fun ensuring that they have cleaned all the teeth thoroughly. Staff extend this learning by discussing with the children what foods are good for their teeth.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager sets high expectations for all staff and carries out regular appraisals to help ensure any training needs are quickly identified. Staff comment that they feel well supported by the manager and frequently complete courses that interest them. For example, staff are continuing to develop the exciting forest-school woodland area. This helps children understand how to manage their own safety while in a supervised environment. n Robust self-evaluation checks the quality of the provision and highlights areas that may require improvement. For example, staff recently completed a 'Motivating Boys' course. This resulted in them improving access to the outdoor play areas for all children, but especially the boys. Staff say this has been very successful. All staff share what they have learned with other staff during staff meetings. This helps promote existing teaching skills to a higher level. n Children display good communication skills. Staff use good questioning

p.2

need to do better?

techniques and speak clearly to the children. However, on occasions, staff do not allow children sufficient time to think about answers to their questions, and answer for them. Younger children and those with with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) communicate their needs well. This is illustrated as they confidently use sign language.

p.2

need to do better?

12 February 2020 n Younger children and toddlers enjoy listening to stories and display good concentration skills as they follow the story line. Older children enjoy cuddling up together in the book corner. They take turns to read their selected books, turning each page carefully. They display good pencil control as they write pretend letters, showing great imagination as they discuss the content. All children display a positive attitude to their learning. n Children count well and display a good understanding of mathematical language. Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to promote children's mathematical learning to a higher level, such as comparing sizes and ordering objects. n Children with SEND receive excellent support to help them to make good progress in their development. Additional funding is used effectively to provide specific resources and experiences some children require to promote their

p.2

need to do better?

learning. n Staff encourage children to initiate their own learning and plan their next steps to extend those interests. Children's progress is monitored well. This information is shared with parents, who comment how wonderfully attentive staff are, regarding their children's needs. n Children learn about their local environment. They enjoy supervised walks around the fishing lakes, observing and discussing the beautiful fish swimming around. This helps promote an understanding of the world around them.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has a good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage. She has robust recruitment procedures in place to check the suitability of new staff. The manager and staff complete all mandatory training, such as child protection and paediatric first aid, to ensure they have a good understanding of how to safeguard children. They have a strong knowledge of child protection issues, including wider safeguarding concerns, such as female genital mutilation and the 'Prevent' duty. Regular risk assessments help ensure that the learning environment is safe and secure for children while they play and explore.

p.3

should:

n extend opportunities for children to process questions and answers during activities to promote their language and thinking skills to a higher level n maximise opportunities to promote children's use of mathematical language during their play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY557213 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10145221 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 35 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Specialist Play Learning & Activity Team Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01462342050 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Splat Day Nursery & Forest School registered in 2018. It is situated in Henlow, Bedfordshire. There are 12 members of staff. Of these, one member of staff holds a relevant early years degree, four members of staff hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3, one member of staff holds a relevant early years qualification at level 1 and six members of staff are unqualified. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, all year round. It receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and viewed a selection of written comments, to gather their views of the setting. n The manager showed the inspector around the setting and discussed how the curriculum is organised and taught. n The inspector jointly observed an activity with the manager and afterwards discussed the quality of teaching. n The manager showed the inspector a range of documentation, including paediatric first-aid certificates, staff's recruitment records and training certificates. n The inspector spoke to staff and children during the inspection and listened to their feedback.

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

12 February 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