Partou Fern Bank Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Fern Bank Private Day Nursery 116 Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, PRESTON PR2 8HL

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

There is a very positive atmosphere across the whole nursery. Rooms are bright and inviting, and staff greet children, parents and visitors with a very warm welcome. The environment is calm but purposeful. Children of all ages are firmly engaged in the interesting and well-planned activities and resources available. Younger children delight as they join in with staff's singing and enjoy watching the actions that accompany the songs. Babies confidently explore making marks in flour as they pat, rub and sweep their hands across the table.

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The provision is good

Older children display high levels of independence and self-assurance. They show a can-do attitude as they carry out a number of tasks independently. Staff show high expectations of children, only intervening when absolutely necessary. Children behave very well. They show care and consideration for their peers, sharing resources and inviting them to join in with their play ideas. Staff offer excellent age-appropriate explanations to aid children's understanding of positive behaviour. This helps children to make constructive and productive choices and greatly promotes their social skills. Children are happy, settled and show they feel safe and secure. They confidently welcome visitors to the nursery. Older children wave hello and quickly go to greet the inspector. Younger children display infectious smiles and enjoy sharing their musical instruments.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has significantly improved since the last inspection. Additional training and support for staff, including managers, has led to a more in-depth understanding of safeguarding. n Intentions for children's learning are well embedded and clearly understood by all staff. Planning very effectively builds on what children know and can do and takes into account their interests and activities experienced from home. Staff are well prepared in their activity planning, including ways to keep children engaged and to provide further challenge where needed. n Staff provide excellent support for children's physical skills and small-muscle control, in good preparation for their mark making and later writing. For example, staff create a dough-making station where children can practice stirring, kneading and moulding their dough. Outside, children enjoy threading autumn leaves on string. Children are seen demonstrating their well-practised

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need to do better?

skills as they pick up and stick on tiny pieces of craft materials to their paper. n Staff adapt their teaching well and provide many opportunities for children to play and learn in their home language or other languages spoken at home. Staff use key words in children's known languages during play and during different parts of the routine. This ensures children also develop a good level of English. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is

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need to do better?

18 October 2021 excellent. Staff work very closely with all professionals involved and implement agreed plans with precision. Staff show patience, understanding and expertise during their interactions with children. n Children are keen, motivated learners. They happily play independently and show good levels of cooperation when playing with their peers. Staff ensure children are excited by their learning. They read stories with enthusiasm and join in with children's play, acting as excellent play companions. n There is a small range of resources that reflect the diversity of life in modern Britain. However, these are not sufficient to help ensure all children develop a positive attitude to their individuality and enable them to represent themselves during play. n The newly appointed manager has a clear vision and shows a strong commitment to her role. She has identified targeted and informed areas for

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need to do better?

improvement, demonstrating effective self-evaluation. There is a strong team spirit and staff say they feel supported and valued. n There are good opportunities for staff professional development. For example, staff access a training package that includes a wide range of training topics. However, training content is not currently focused on education and early years practice in order to consistently make improvements in the teaching of the curriculum to the very highest levels.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is very well embedded across the whole nursery. Staff are confident in their role of safeguarding children and demonstrate a firm understanding of the policies and procedures that underpin their practice. Regular training in safeguarding equips staff with the knowledge and skills they need to swiftly identify and share concerns about a child's welfare effectively. Staff are also confident in taking action should they be concerned about a colleague or member of the management team. Clear recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that staff working with children are suitable.

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should:

n enhance the professional development of staff that focuses on building knowledge and skills that consistently translates into improvements in the teaching of the curriculum to the very highest levels n extend opportunities for children to reflect on their differences and understand what makes them unique, helping all children to develop a positive attitude to their individuality.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY545689 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10177501 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 98 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Just Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01772 717 639 Date of previous inspection 11 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Fern Bank Private Day Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold relevant childcare qualifications, including the manager. The nursery operates all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. The nursery provides funded early education 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and discussed the early years curriculum. n A joint observation was carried out and the inspector took account of the manager's evaluations. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the manager and members of the senior leadership team to discuss leadership and management arrangements. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including policies and staff suitability checks.

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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

18 October 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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