Smart Kids Childcare

Inspection of Smart Kids Childcare Bhailok Square, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 8DY

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive full of smiles and are excited to see the staff and their friends. Children settle quickly and engage in meaningful play and activities. Children display high levels of self-confidence and self-esteem. Older children confidently greet new people and are happy to talk to them about their experiences at nursery. For example, children proudly describe their own unique features in their self- portrait painting. In addition, they talk in detail about their weekly bus journey to their swimming lesson and which part of the lesson they like the best. Babies have strong bonds with staff. They quickly seek them out for comfort and reassurance when unfamiliar people enter the room.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages love books. Babies snuggle up with staff to enjoy a familiar story. Toddlers handle books carefully and enjoy finding and pointing to the characters on the pages. Pre-school children independently choose a favourite book and find a friend to share it with. They talk about the book together, sharing turning the pages and asking each other questions, such as 'what do you think will happen next'. When they have finished reading the book, they place it back on the bookshelf. This demonstrates that children understand what is expected of them and that they have respect for others.

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The provision is good

Most children continued to attend during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff are aware that children have had limited experiences, such as mixing with others and opportunities to develop their large and small physical skills. Children take part in activities, such as dance and drama. These help children to develop skills, such as balance and coordination and help them increase their confidence in different social situations.

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need to do better?

n The nursery management team is highly qualified and experienced. The newly appointed manager has worked closely with the whole staff team and parents since the last inspection. Together they have made positive changes that benefit children and their families the most. Staff attend some useful training and are given the opportunity to bring their own ideas that bring about further improvements. As a result, their practice and the educational programme at the nursery are much improved. That said, staff have not yet received enough individualised and targeted support to raise the quality of their practice to the highest levels across the nursery. n Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children. This includes those children who are funded and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work closely with other agencies involved in children's care and learning to design and implement targeted learning plans. These are regularly

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need to do better?

12 April 2022 reviewed and support children's next steps well. All children make good progress from their starting points and gain the skills needed for future learning. Regular and precise information is shared with parents about their child's learning and development. This further supports children's continued good progress. n Staff place a sharp focus on helping children to develop good literacy skills. Babies and toddlers develop their hand muscles as they grasp tulips and use these to make marks with paint. Older children recognise familiar letters and words and write with purpose. For example, as they write letters to staff, they sound out words phonetically. This helps them to correctly spell the word they wish to write. Children confidently write familiar words, such as their own name and the names of staff. n Children develop well in mathematics because staff seize opportunities to extend children's understanding. For example, outside, older children roll a large

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need to do better?

inflatable dice and then count the number of spots as it lands. They then jump the correct number of times into a puddle. Babies and toddlers enjoy singing number songs and rhymes and complete simple jigsaws with support from staff. n Children are confident communicators. Staff model words well, for example, as children plant seeds they use words, such as 'press, prod' and 'poke'. This supports children's growing vocabulary. n Children relish the opportunity to share their 'chatterboxes' with staff, visitors and their friends. Children chose photos and items from home from their own boxes. They talk vividly about their home lives and families. They demonstrate tolerance and respect for each other. For example, they wait their turn to speak, listen attentively and carefully handle the possessions of others. n Children eat healthily and good systems are in place to support children who have special dietary requirements. Staff share useful information with parents

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need to do better?

about supporting children's good eating habits at home. n Staff encourage children to make some independent choices. For instance, children choose what fruit and drink they would like for snack. However, the way in which staff organise some activities and routine times of the day, does not support children to build on their existing skills. For example, staff step in too quickly to help children solve problems and do not re-shape activities quickly enough, to enable children to follow their own ideas and thinking.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. They know the action to take should they have a concern about a colleague or the nursery owner. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, as they scale the climbing equipment outside, staff remind them to hold on. Children then remind their friends to do the same. The nursery is safe and secure. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robustly implemented.

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should:

n provide more opportunities during activities for children to explore their own thinking and ideas n embed staff coaching and supervision to help staff raise the quality of education to the highest levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY453915 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10216425 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 106 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Smart Kids Childcare

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reference number

Telephone number 01772 719719 Date of previous inspection 24 November 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Kids Childcare registered in 2013. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one staff member who holds early years professional status and one who has Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, except for the period between Christmas and New Year. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when at the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group

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Inspection activities

activity. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. The manager showed the inspector relevant documentation and talked about how she is supporting improvements at the nursery. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the manager.

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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

12 April 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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