Abacus Day Nursery

Inspection of Abacus Day Nursery Silverstone Crescent, Stoke-On-Trent ST6 6XP

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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 and parents are greeted warmly by the friendly and professional staff. Children arrive happy and settle quickly into the routines of the nursery. Staff provide a stimulating and inviting learning environment both indoors and outdoors. Children select from a range of interesting and age-appropriate resources. They are confident in choosing the direction of their play. Staff provide fun and exciting activities to capture children's attention. All children make good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children are supported well to manage their own feelings. Staff give clear instructions and children know what is expected from them. Staff consistently praise children for their efforts, achievements and positive behaviours. As a result, children's behaviour is good. All children enjoy regular access to the nursery's outside area, where they have fun exploring a range of interesting activities and practise their physical skills.

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The provision is good

All children develop secure and trusting bonds with their key person and all staff. Babies and toddlers are relaxed and smile when they see familiar staff. They look to staff for reassurance and cuddles, which they receive in abundance. Children seek staff out to show their accomplishments and share their ideas. Children are confident and supported well to develop independence skills in preparation for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff are skilled at supporting children's imaginations. Older children pretend that they are pirates in search of treasure. They practise their early writing skills as they make their own treasure maps. Younger children pretend to book holidays and practise using scissors to cut out pictures of items they would put in their suitcases. n Staff swiftly identify any gaps in children's learning and plan activities to help to close them. This demonstrates their knowledge of the curriculum and children's next steps. However, on occasions, activities do not fully challenge older children's learning in readiness for their eventual move to school. n Staff create a calm and relaxing space for babies and toddlers to explore and engage with sensory resources. They become involved in gluing different textured materials onto paper, displaying good hand-to-eye coordination. Staff build on babies' and toddlers' communication skills, introducing new words while

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need to do better?

they play. n Staff act as excellent role models to the children. They listen when children talk and value what they say. Older children confidently hold conversations with staff and describe past events. Staff use effective questioning when communicating

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need to do better?

1 July 2021 with children to extend conversations and build on children's learning. However, staff do not always identify areas to extend children's understanding of mathematics. n Children are supported well to develop a love of books. Staff provide cosy and inviting reading areas where children handle books with care. Staff are skilled at capturing children's interest in stories. Older children listen intently as staff read stories in an expressive way. Staff encourage children to participate and make predictions about what will happen next. n The dedicated and passionate manager shows a good commitment to the professional development of her team. This plays an integral part in the development of the nursery and how staff promote children's progression. The manager places a high priority on the well-being of staff. As a result, staff feel valued and enjoy working at the nursery. Children with special educational

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need to do better?

needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively. Staff consider how additional funding is spent and check that it is making the intended difference for those children. n The leadership team and staff have adapted well to the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. They ensure that all children are supported and continue to make good progress. Parents say that staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and always have a smile on their faces. They say their children love being at the nursery and could not be happier.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. All staff have completed safeguarding training, ensuring children's safety and protection are a priority. Staff understand and recognise signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse. The manager has a safe recruitment procedure in place and checks the suitability of new staff and the ongoing suitability of existing staff. The nursery is safe and secure. Staff carry out daily checks of all areas to always ensure children's safety. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid.

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should:

n further develop more opportunities for all children to expand their knowledge and skills in mathematics n provide more challenging activities for the older and most-able children to make the very best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554326 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10174383 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 100 Name of registered person Purley Red Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01782822800 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Abacus Day Nursery is situated in Stoke-on-Trent. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 6 to level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to look at how the curriculum is planned to meet children's needs and development. n A meeting was held with the inspector and the management team to discuss the leadership and management arrangements. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. 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

1 July 2021 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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