Friendly Faces Nursery

Inspection of Friendly Faces Nursery Methodist Chapel, Derby Street, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1HZ

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Inspection date: 22 October 2021 - 7 December 2021

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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

The nursery operates from a church hall. Despite its size, it has a cosy and homely feel. Children of all ages share the same hall, with up to three babies being accommodated at any one time. Young babies have a dedicated space which is divided from the other play areas. Parents like this arrangement as it allows their babies, born during periods of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to have a greater range of social interactions. Older babies are able to watch, learn and join in with their toddler friends. Pre-school children show empathy and care towards the babies and toddlers. Staff are aware of the supervision required when children of different ages are mixing, so they can do so safely. Activities capture children's imagination and extend their understanding. For example, children develop the ability to manipulate small objects as they make a snowman during a craft session. They are able to talk about the textures of the materials they are using and recall

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The provision is good

The manager keeps the risks associated with COVID-19 under review. At the present time, parents are not coming into the nursery. Children have adapted to this change well and enter happily when greeted at the nursery door by one of the staff.

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need to do better?

n The manager is passionate about the links she has made between the nursery and the local community. Older children understand the need for community spirit. They work as a team to care for their community garden and learn about the life cycle of plants. Pre-school children form a committee and are supported to make collective decisions. n The manager discusses the importance of planning a curriculum which is based on the children's interests and themes. Staff also identify the next steps in children's learning, through regular assessments of their abilities. Staff regularly share books with children and use familiar songs to support their communication and language development. Activities, such as drawing a snowman, are used to extend children's understanding of numbers, shapes and colours. They look carefully at pictures of different snowmen and start to understand the differences which make things unique.

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need to do better?

n Toddlers mix with pre-school children and enjoy learning by copying their older friends. However, at times the breadth of ages and abilities means that some large group activities or periods of general play do not precisely support children who are less able, to make the best possible progress. n The manager understands how to access early help from a range of other professionals for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum is adapted to provide activities which meet the specific

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need to do better?

22 October 2021 learning targets for children with SEND. For example, staff use traffic-light colours to communicate stop and go instructions. Clear routines support all children including those with SEND to understand nursery expectations. n The manager is able to demonstrate a good understanding of how to ensure the suitability of staff working with children. She discusses how she supports the professional development and career goals of staff through regular supervision meetings. However, the manager does not provide staff with the level of support and coaching they need to develop their teaching skills to the highest level. n The manager has a clear understanding of how to promote positive behaviour. Children learn how to share and take turns. Staff remind them to use kind hands. The manager demonstrates a good understanding of how to support children's emotional well-being, for example through talking to children about

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need to do better?

their feelings and identifying different emotions. The children learn about oral health. The manager uses props, such as puppets, to reinforce positive messages about the importance of them brushing their teeth. n Parents are very happy with the provision. Several describe the nursery as 'brilliant' and that their children are 'excited to attend'. They value the home- cooked meals their children have. They comment on the fact that this has extended the range of foods their children will eat. They are given information on how to extend their children's learning at home. The manager describes her efforts to support both nursery parents and those living locally. For example, she has set up toy and clothes exchanges.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager is the named safeguarding lead in the nursery. She has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. The manager and her staff are aware of how to correctly report any concerns about children. All staff are paediatric first-aid trained and two staff have food hygiene training. They are aware of the risks of using the kitchen to access the garden and have put safety measure in place to protect children. Children who use travel cots or lie-flat pushchairs for rest times are appropriately supervised and supported to settle to sleep.

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should:

n review how large group activities and free-play sessions can be adapted to more precisely meet the learning needs of less-able children n develop the arrangements for the supervision of staff to help them to improve their teaching skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2590840 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10210025 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Friendly Faces Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07875542974 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Friendly Faces Nursery originally registered in 2017 and re-registered in 2020. It operates from a church hall in Congleton. The provision opens from Monday to Thursday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The provision offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and three hold a level 2 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspectors viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspectors discussed the early years curriculum. One of the inspectors observed the quality of education being provided. She assessed the impact these activities have on children's learning. She completed a learning walk with the manager to discuss how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspectors spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager discussed with the inspectors how she establishes parent partnerships. A number of parents spoke to one of the inspectors during the inspection. The inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n One of the inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspectors held discussions with the manager and staff about safeguarding and welfare. n The manager and one of the inspectors completed a joint observation of two adult-led learning activities. They discussed how the teaching observed extended children's understanding and linked into the learning intentions for the children. n Staff and children spoke to one of the inspectors during the inspection. Staff explained why they were undertaking some activities and how they worked with individual children.

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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

22 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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