Smiths Children

Inspection of Smiths Children St. Lukes Church, Victoria Road, CAMBRIDGE CB4 3DZ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children receive a warm welcome from staff, when they arrive at the setting. They show they feel happy and safe in staff's nurturing care. All children have formed strong attachments to their key person. For example, babies nestle in staff's arms when they are tired or upset. Young babies show increasing interest in their surroundings. Staff gently support and guide babies, which gives them the confidence to explore.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff get to know children well and are sensitive to their individual needs. For example, babies smile as they recognise familiar adults. Staff talk to older babies to support their emerging language skills. Babies benefit from effective back-and-forth interactions, that help lay firm foundations for their language and cognitive development.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Older children are learning to manage their feelings and are beginning to understand how their behaviour affects others. Staff help children to develop the social skills they need to play together. They lead by example, encouraging children to listen to each other, take turns and share resources. Staff praise children when they have tried hard, which develops their self-esteem.

p.2

need to do better?

n Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff stayed in contact with children and their families when they were not able to attend the setting. Staff helped parents to guide their child's learning at home, providing activities and information to support them during this time. n The manager ensures that adult-to-child ratios are always maintained. She makes sure that staff have the necessary qualifications and knowledge to fulfil their role and responsibilities. The manager provides effective supervision, ensuring staff have regular opportunities for training. Staff work well together. They say they enjoy working at the setting and they feel well supported. n Staff have a good knowledge of their key children. They understand what children need to learn next and use information from their observations of children to guide their planning. Occasionally, staff do not plan enough rich experiences for older children, that challenge them and extend their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff promote children's good health and encourage them to be physically active. Children follow sensible hygiene routines and understand the importance of washing their hands before eating. Older children competently attend to their personal needs and help themselves to water throughout the day. Babies enjoying sitting together to eat. Staff encourage them to feed themselves, gently offering support and guidance when needed to help babies be successful.

p.2

need to do better?

30 March 2022 n Older children are confident communicators. They have acquired a wide vocabulary, which they use readily. Staff talk to children during activities, ensuring they pronounce words correctly, and ask questions that engage children's thinking. Children show great interest in the words on a map. They ask, 'What does this word say?' Staff point to the word and tell them the name of the place. Children practise saying the word 'Antarctic'. n Although children enjoy being outdoors, the curriculum content is not embedded securely across the provision. There is less focus on using it to guide children's learning in the outdoor area in more meaningful ways. Sometimes, children's learning is less purposeful outside. n Parents praise the quality of the provision and provide positive comments about their children's experiences. They say their children have settled well and enjoy an interesting range of activities. Parents say they are, generally, kept informed

p.2

need to do better?

and appreciate the effort staff make to care for their children, particularly during difficult times. n Staff skilfully support children's physical development. Younger babies eagerly crawl to explore the inviting space. They are motivated to pull themselves to standing on the sturdy furniture to select the toys they want to play with. Staff help children to understand about keeping safe. They gently remind them to be aware of any dangers, while encouraging them to take risks in their play under their watchful supervision.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider has robust recruitment and vetting arrangements in place to help ensure that staff working with children are suitable for their role. Effective staff deployment means that children are well supervised, particularly in the outdoor area. They carry out daily checks to ensure the premises remain safe and secure. Staff have a good understanding of child protection and wider safeguarding issues. They know the importance of acting swiftly to protect children and the procedures to follow. Regular safeguarding training and professional discussions help to keep their knowledge up to date.

p.3

should:

n plan and provide more highly challenging activities to extend older children's learning n strengthen the planning for the outdoor area to provide children with the same rich experiences for learning as those inside.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY437969 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10232760 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Smiths Children Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01223 301 047 Date of previous inspection 9 August 20179 August 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Smiths Children registered in 2011 and follows the Montessori philosophy. The setting employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications, including one with qualified teacher status. The setting opens from Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The setting provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed activities indoors and outside and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss and understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector had discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of parents' views through verbal and written feedback. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

30 March 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6