Bright Sparks Kindergarten Ltd

Inspection of Bright Sparks Kindergarten Ltd Sibsey Free School, Main Road, Boston, Lincolnshire PE22 0RR

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy learning as they engage in familiar activities with enthusiasm, such as music and movement sessions. They listen attentively to staff, following instructions as they copy various movements. Children learn a wide range of actions that help them to develop greater control of their bodies. Furthermore, children sing along and end the session with a loud and animated finish to their song.

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The provision is good

Children play imaginatively in the role-play hairdresser's shop. They take full advantage of a member of staff being a willing model, brushing her hair and putting in hair clips. Staff take the opportunity to challenge children's mathematical skills. They ask, 'how many clips do I have in? How many more do you need to make 10?' Children have fun exploring craft items. They proudly show staff that they can use the scissors effectively. Staff reward children with smiles and comments about how well they have used the scissors. Children have good manners. At lunch time, when they are handed their garlic bread, every child spontaneously says, 'thank you'. This is met with praise from the staff which contributes to children's growing self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The manager understands the importance of staff training and professional development. She holds regular one-to-one meetings with staff, where she discusses their teaching practice and their well-being. Staff access relevant training that improves their teaching, such as training to extend their knowledge of how to teach mathematics and numbers. Staff say they feel highly valued and report that they are supported both professionally and personally by the manager. n Staff encourage children to develop a strong interest in books. They engage children well as they animatedly read familiar stories. Staff bring stories to life as children are encouraged to 'dig like a pirate'. This supports children's developing literacy skills. n The current curriculum focus is on developing children's listening and attention, and mathematical skills. These are areas that staff have noticed children need some additional support with. Staff provide opportunities for children to listen to

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need to do better?

and follow instructions. For example, in a small group activity, children play number bingo. Staff skilfully engage them, using a puppet who calls out the numbers. The children find the corresponding number on their card. This contributes to children's future learning, such as when they start school. However, not all staff interactions consistently extend children's learning. n Staff have created a busy, bright room that has a good range of toys and resources for children to choose from. Children confidently make independent

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need to do better?

22 February 2022 choices about what they would like to do. Most children spend a long time playing with building blocks indoors or outside in the sand, for example. This demonstrates a positive attitude to learning. However, occasionally staff are not always quick to identify when the quieter and less confident children might need further support to engage fully in their play and learning. n Children's good health is promoted in the kindergarten. Staff encourage children to play outside and to take safe risks. For example, children carefully negotiate a wobbly plank. The food is healthy and nutritious and thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Effective hygiene routines are in place, protecting everyone's ongoing health and safety. n Staff take children on walks into the village and to visit the local park. This helps to broaden children's horizons beyond kindergarten. Staff feel it is important for children to be part of their local community.

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need to do better?

n Parent partnerships are superb. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, parents leave their children at the gate. Staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that parents still feel part of their children's learning journey. Twice weekly live streams are provided, so parents can log in and watch their children taking part in activities. Furthermore, children take home books for parents to complete about what has been happening at home. This information is then used by staff to chat to children about their experiences from home. These partnerships contribute exceptionally well to continuity of learning between home and kindergarten.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand how to protect children. They know what to look out for and how and when to report any concerns they may have about a child's well-being. Staff keep their knowledge about current safeguarding procedures up to date through regular training. The manager has secure recruitment procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff hold paediatric first-aid certificates. This ensures that they can care for children in the event of an accident.

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should:

n consistently provide high levels of challenge to children as they play, to support their learning even more effectively n support staff to better recognise when the quieter and less confident children need more interaction to engage fully in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY359699 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10138466 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 73 Name of registered person Bright Sparks Kindergarten Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01205 751506 Date of previous inspection 16 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Sparks Kindergarten Ltd registered in 2007. They operate from the grounds of Sibsey Free school in Sibsey, Lincolnshire. The kindergarten employs six members of staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The kindergarten opens from 7.30am until 5.30pm. There is a breakfast and after-school club for the children of the host school. The breakfast club operates from 7.30am until 8.45am, and the after-school club operates from 3.20pm until 5.30pm. The kindergarten 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 kindergarten 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 their evaluation of the kindergarten. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the kindergarten and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the kindergarten. n The inspector spoke to several parents and took account of written feedback offered.

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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 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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