Sunflower Children's Centre

Inspection of Sunflower Children's Centre 21 Carter Hall Road, Sheffield S12 3HS

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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 benefit from meaningful learning across this setting. Children enjoy learning about topics and themes, such as insects. They make links between what they have been learning about at nursery and what they do at home. For example, children have been enjoying reading the book 'What the Ladybird Heard'. They have been looking for ladybirds in their gardens and enjoying visits to the theatre. Children behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They are able to follow instructions from staff, who they have formed close bonds with. Babies, in particular, benefit from sensitive relationships with the staff who care for them. For example, children are spoken to about care routines such as mealtimes and nappy changing. This supports children's personal development and helps them to build secure relationships. Older children develop an interest in reading books. This means they are able to actively describe the layout of a book. They tell staff about

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The provision is good

the front cover, back page and spine of the book. Children understand how to read a book and they talk about the beginning, middle and end. This is supporting children's early reading skills, which is also supporting them to develop their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide teaching and learning opportunities that support what they want children to know and learn next. This is because they know the children well through observations and assessments of what children already know and can do. As a result, children are learning new skills and knowledge. n Partnerships with parents are effective. This helps staff to identify when children may need additional support, so that children make good progress. Staff have good partnerships with external agencies, such as speech and language therapists. This further supports staff to meet individual children's needs. n Learning across the setting is carefully planned for most children. Staff use what they know about children to plan activities that support children's next steps. However, this is not always consistent across all age ranges. Sometimes, two- year-olds are expected to take part in group activities, which are not always

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need to do better?

appropriate for their age and stage of development. This means that, occasionally, a small number of children are not always engaged in learning. n Staff have high expectations of all children. Staff praise good behaviour and give simple instructions that children follow with confidence. n Staff promote children's independence across all age ranges. They sensitively support those who are unable to do tasks for themselves while encouraging children to have a go. For example, children as young as two put on their own coats and make choices about what they would like to eat and drink at snack times. n The majority of staff understand what they want children to learn. Most can

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need to do better?

18 November 2021 describe why they are providing activities and opportunities for children. Staff understand how they will teach children and support their next steps in learning. For example, staff model language by repeating back what children say and commenting on children's play. This is further helping children to increase the number of words they hear and speak. n A small number of staff are, sometimes, unable to link what is being provided for children to what they want children to learn next. However, managers have already identified this and are supporting staff to further develop their knowledge. n Leaders and managers ensure that they know children well. They do this by undertaking observations of teaching across the setting. They give feedback to staff and give them the opportunity to discuss their own ideas and solutions for any areas of weakness. This means that leaders and managers are able to

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need to do better?

support staff, when they have concerns about individual children's development. n Staff support children to develop their physical skills. They organise large group activities outdoors, where children practise jumping, running and balancing on one leg. n The setting provides extra-curricular activities that children benefit from. In particular, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to access activities, such as football and dance classes. This is further supporting their physical development and confidence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff across the setting understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. They are alert to any signs that children may be suffering from harm. Managers understand the importance of keeping staff up to date with safeguarding knowledge and identify new training opportunities. Staff understand the role of the designated officer from the local authority and the action they must take in the event of allegations against staff. Staff support children to take risks in the outdoor environment while being sensitive to individual needs. They do this by tactfully supporting children while they have a go themselves.

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should:

n ensure that young children's learning is appropriate to their needs, in particular when expecting them to take part in group activities n develop further the understanding of all staff of the areas of learning they teach and the way young children learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY216651 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10210647 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 116 Number of children on roll 122 Name of registered person Simpkin Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0114 265 7000 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Sunflower Children's Centre registered in 2002 and operates from a building in the grounds of Charnock Primary School in Sheffield. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the nursery manager who has attained early years professional status. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.15pm all year around.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the managers. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. n The inspector held discussions with staff across the setting. n The inspector observed the children. n The inspector reviewed documentation. n The inspector held discussions with leaders and managers. n The inspector held discussions with parents.

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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 November 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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