Play and Learn Sutton Coldfield

Inspection of Play and Learn Sutton Coldfield 66 Anchorage Road, SUTTON COLDFIELD, West Midlands B74 2PG

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed into the setting by familiar staff. Once inside, they settle quickly as they seek out their friends and initiate games to play.

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The provision is good

Children love exploring the outdoors. They practise gross motor skills, climbing up the play house and sliding down. Children enjoy using a wide range of bikes and tricycles. They pedal and manoeuvre around obstacles, and use their problem- solving skills when they 'crash' into each other to work out how to untangle their wheels. Children are developing a love of minibeasts and insects and have recently completed a project about them. They find a ladybird in the garden and discuss what the ladybird needs to eat and where they should put her, so she can be safe. Children recall information they have learned about insects, such as ants, and think these may be too big for the ladybird to eat.

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The provision is good

Babies form strong relationships with their carers. They show that they feel safe and secure as they are happy and confident. Babies are learning about their bodies and enjoy washing their 'babies' in toy bath tubs. They find different parts of the body and then find where their own eyes and nose are. Staff encourage them to squeeze the sponges and watch the water drip from them. Babies laugh and giggle as they splash in the water.

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need to do better?

n The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has had an impact on the setting. The provider, management, staff and some children have caught COVID at various intervals, impacting significantly on the setting's ability to remain open at times. However, staff recorded videos of themselves reading stories and shared activities online for parents to do with their children at home. New systems are in place for children settling in and for prospective parents who want to view the setting. n Parents praise staff for the resilience they have shown and the care provided for their children. They report that staff take safety and well-being very seriously and they put the needs of children at the heart of everything they do. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Managers and staff work alongside external agencies to quickly identify children who require additional support. A variety of different strategies, such as visual

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need to do better?

communication aids, are used to support children. Staff attend extra training to help them deal with the complexities which arise from some of the children's needs. This has helped children manage their feelings better and ensures they have access to the same opportunities and activities as their peers. n Management and staff implement a well thought out curriculum. A strong emphasis is placed on literacy and early communication skills. Younger children

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need to do better?

19 August 2021 are consistently exposed to new language and are encouraged to say complex words, such as 'elephant'. They are taught the phonetic sound of letters that words begin with. Older children are taught phonics through discussions and activities. Simple mathematical concepts are introduced in play. For example, an 'ice-cream parlour' activity encourages children to chose different pretend ice- cream flavours. When ice creams are 'bought', children work out how many are left. However, on occasions, some planned activities do not provide enough challenge for those children who are most able. n Staff regularly complete observations and assessments of children to monitor the progress they are making. This enables any gaps in learning to be swiftly identified and action taken to close those gaps. Children are making good progress and acquire skills for their next stage of learning and eventual move to

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need to do better?

school. n Managers complete regular supervisions with staff and use observations to improve the quality of teaching. Staff report that they feel well supported with new mental health wellness checks and they have opportunities to attend training for their own professional development. It has been identified that the quality of teaching is variable in the older children's room. Staff changes have been implemented and support is being given. However, this is not yet fully embedded as staff are not always able to adapt their teaching style to support those children who are less confident. This leads to children who are confident overshadowing some group activities, leaving children with less confidence unable to voice their opinion. n Children benefit from freshly prepared, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. They learn about healthy lifestyles and choices they can make. Children are gaining independence and self-care skills. They wash their hands at regular

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need to do better?

intervals to stop the 'germs from spreading'. Children are taught to be kind and share with their friends. As a result, on the whole, children behave well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff recruitment is robust and staff are required to be registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service online update service. Regular checks are made to ensure their continued suitability. Management places safeguarding as one of their core values. All staff receive training and many have completed designated safeguarding lead training. They demonstrated a strong, robust understanding of procedures to follow if they have concerns about children in their care. Children are being taught to manage their own risks, such as playing safely on equipment outside. Risk assessments identify any risks and the action to be taken to reduce or minimise those risks.

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should:

19 August 2021 n plan more challenging experiences for those children who are most able to help them to make even greater progress n support staff to help children who are less confident become more engaged in group activities to increase their learning and be able to voice their opinion.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY454379 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10201638 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Play & Learn Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 3553248 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Play and Learn Sutton Coldfield registered in 2013. The nursery employs 11 practitioners, seven of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2 to 5. The nursery opens from 7am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Funded nursery education is provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the settings curriculum, how this is implemented and the impact. n The inspector carried out two joint observations with the manager and evaluated the quality of teaching. n The Inspector spoke with children, staff and parents at various times of the inspection. The inspector also received written feedback. All views given have been taken into account. n A large number of documentation was reviewed by the inspector. This included, the safeguarding policy, risk assessments, staff supervisions and evidence to determine staff suitability, staff qualifications and evidence of paediatric first aid,

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Inspection activities

registers, complaints log, accident and injury recording and evidence of behaviour incidents.

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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

19 August 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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