Childcare on Domestic Premises, Sessional day care in Bath and North East Somerset

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children thrive as they attend this charming outdoor setting. Staff promote a wonderfully calm and nurturing environment to enable children to feel safe and secure. Children have formed strong emotional attachments with not only their key person but all staff. Staff are committed to developing children's personal, social and emotional development and give children constant praise for their efforts and achievements. They engage in meaningful conversations with children and listen carefully to what they have to say. As a result, children develop extremely positive attitudes to learning and behaviour is excellent.

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The provision is good

Leaders have a clear vision for their curriculum. They are extremely passionate about providing children with the lifelong skills they need to succeed. Staff provide children with a wealth of experiences to promote their knowledge and understanding of the world in which they live. They skilfully enhance children's love of learning through first-hand opportunities and experiences. For example, during their daily outing, children curiously explore and ask questions about the font in the local church. They make links to their own experiences and share these with staff. Staff teach children about road safety and how to keep safe when they are exploring the local community.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's language and communication very well. Staff sit with children to read stories. They use animated voices to take on different characters in the story to promote children's imaginations. Children listen intently and respond positively to adults and each other. n Children develop close friendships with other children. They play happily together and are very content as they explore their surroundings. These positive interactions significantly enhance children's social skills. The staff provide a wide range of activities and resources to inspire children's coordination and early writing skills. For instance, children use small hammers to hit nails into pieces of wood. n Leaders promote a love of the natural world and all its wonder. They make the most of every opportunity outdoors to promote children's learning and independence. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise as they

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need to do better?

have daily outings within the local community. They show high levels of confidence as they recognise different letters and numbers during their outdoor experiences. n Staff gain detailed information from parents when children first start at the setting to enable effective planning for each child's next steps and interests. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, staff would attend a home visit with each child and their family to support the settling-in process further. As staff are unable to

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need to do better?

7 December 2021 carry out home visits, they have adapted their settling-in processes to ensure that each child has a smooth transition into the setting. For instance, staff and parents are invited to an open day during the summer to meet the staff and to engage in a variety of activities together. n Parents are complimentary about the setting. They describe the staff as 'fantastic' and 'really supportive'. Parents comment on the high levels of progress their children have made since starting at the setting, particularly their confidence and independence. They speak highly of the wide range of experiences and learning opportunities available to their children. n Leaders and staff have regular opportunities to discuss children's learning and development. The manager ensures that staff complete some training to support their existing knowledge, such as safeguarding processes. However, she does not monitor staff practice as rigorously as she could. The current systems in

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need to do better?

place to monitor staff practice are not sharply targeted to provide opportunities for them to improve their practice and knowledge to an even higher level. n Due to the pandemic, parents are unable to enter the premises. Staff utilise the outside space at the front to share detailed information with parents about their child's day. This means daily discussions can take place with appropriate social distancing. In addition, staff make good use of electronic communications to share children's achievements and progress with parents.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers, leaders and staff understand their roles and responsibilities to protect children in their care from harm. They undertake regular safeguarding training and can recognise the signs and symptoms of when a child may be at risk. Staff know the reporting procedures to follow if they are concerned about the welfare of a child. They have an awareness of the broader safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation. Staff are also fully aware of the whistle-blowing policy and what to do if they become concerned about the conduct of a colleague. The premises are safe and secure. The manager and staff are vigilant to identify and minimise risks to children's safety.

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should:

n monitor staff's practice more closely to support their ongoing development, in order to raise the quality of education to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY441693 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10126032 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 130

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Swainswick Explorers registered in 2012. The premises are located in the village of Swainswick, Bath and North East Somerset. The setting provides sessions for three- and four-year-old children from 9am until 1pm, three days a week during term time only. They also offer after-school sessions for school-age children from 3pm to 6pm during term time only. Swainswick Explorers also operates 8am to 5.30pm during school holidays and inset days. There are 14 staff members and the number present at any time depends on the number of children attending. Three members of staff hold qualified teacher status and five hold qualifications at level 2 or level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n Leaders explained the nursery curriculum during a learning walk with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector accompanied the staff and children on a walk to the local church. n The inspector discussed the leadership of the setting with the session leader and the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of all persons working on the premises. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the session leader, and, together, they evaluated the effectiveness of teaching. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector.

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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

7 December 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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