Bright Sparks Children's Centre LTD

Inspection of Bright Sparks Children's Centre LTD Mount Carmel Church, 71 Stott Close, PLYMOUTH, Devon PL3 6HA

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy coming to nursery and staff help them to feel safe. They talk to children about their experiences from home and provide reassurance where necessary. During times when children become engaged in learning, they enjoy making 'spiderman' dough. Staff encourage children to develop their mathematical skills by counting how many cups of flour, salt and water they will need. Children learn how to take turns and use words, such as 'dry' and 'sticky' to describe textures. However, the implementation of the curriculum is not fully embedded to help children make the progress they are capable. Children often become disengaged in their learning and their behaviour deteriorates. Nonetheless, the new trainee manager and special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) has begun to devise a planning process to ensure activities meet children's interests and next steps in learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not have consistent support from the nursery. Referrals to outside agencies have not been ongoing. Although the former SENDCo has made initial referrals for children, these are not followed up promptly as the owner does not help staff to fulfil their roles effectively. Therefore, children's individual needs have not been met consistently. The manager has begun to make improvements to the nursery. Children have received individual support plans and the manager has contacted outside agencies to ensure children receive the support they require.

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need to do better?

n Children excitedly run into the nursery, greeted by friendly staff. They show curiosity as they explore the activities available. However, children with SEND do not receive consistent support. The owner has not supported staff well enough and this has resulted in delayed responses to children's needs. The lack of prompt referrals to outside agencies means children do not receive the support they require to help them make at least good progress. n Children enjoy the activities available. They paint on easels, expressing their creativity and imagination. Children pretend to build the 'great wall of China' using wooden blocks and referring to photographs to help them. However, the implementation of the curriculum is not yet good. Staff often find it difficult to keep children engaged in learning as activities do not consistently meet children's needs. n Staff ensure children develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. The trainee

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need to do better?

manager has made changes to the lunch menu to complement the nutritious and freshly prepared meals on offer. After lunch, children brush their teeth and develop an awareness of oral hygiene. Children have plenty of opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air. They enjoy climbing trees and learning how to

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need to do better?

16 February 2022 manage and take age-appropriate risks. n Overall, partnerships with parents are effective. Parents comment on how their children enjoy coming and how staff provide information about children's days, both verbally and through an online communication system. However, staff do not always gain information about children's care routines from home to enable children to rest when they need to. n Children develop their independence skills well. They persevere when putting on their coats and wellies and know where to hang their belongings. At mealtimes, staff encourage children to self-serve and use knives and forks for eating. Afterwards, children wipe their face and hands with individual flannels, helping to develop their autonomy skills. n Staff use clear language and actions to help children to understand and follow instructions. For example, when children are playing in the garden, staff use

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need to do better?

their fingers to represent numbers as a countdown for going back inside. This helps children to understand what is happening next. n The trainee manager is keen to promote children's literacy skills. She is in the process of setting up a 'lending library' where children can borrow books to share with family members at home. Children have access to a variety of books in the nursery, where they can access these independently.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The owner and staff understand their responsibilities in protecting children from harm. They know who to contact should they have concerns about children's welfare, including from extreme views and behaviours. Staff provide information to parents about how to keep their children safe online. The premises is secure. An intercom system and closed-circuit television is in place to prevent potential unauthorised persons from entering the building. Staff help children to learn the nursery rules, such as using 'walking feet' inside and support them when climbing up different tiers in the outdoor area.

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Due date

ensure all children, particularly those with SEND, receive appropriate support from other professionals in a timely manner to help them make the progress they are capable of 17/03/2022

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Due date

16 February 2022 support senior managers in fulfilling their roles to enable children to move rapidly forward in their development 17/03/2022

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Due date

tailor the implementation of the curriculum more precisely to meet children's individual needs and interests to help them sustain concentration and engage actively in learning. 17/03/2022

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should:

n further develop partnerships with parents to gain an understanding of children's care routines at home to support their personal needs even more.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY411404 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10221741 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 55 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Bright Sparks Childrens Centre Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 225115 Date of previous inspection 10 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Sparks Children's Centre Ltd registered in 2004. It operates from rooms within Mount Carmel Church in Efford, Plymouth. It is open each weekday from 7am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. There are five members of staff who work with the children, three of whom hold qualifications at level 5 and 6. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 owner and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager and the inspector carried out a learning walk together and talked about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector and the owner carried out a joint observation of an activity and discussed the quality of teaching. n The inspector spoke to staff and the manager about how they support children with SEND. n Parents' views were sought about the quality of the provision. The inspector played a game of hide and seek with the 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

16 February 2022 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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