Mama Bear's Day Nursery

Inspection of Mama Bear's Day Nursery Somerset College of Arts & Technology, Wellington Road, TAUNTON, Somerset TA1 5AX

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and secure, which underpins their ability to learn and develop, so they all make good progress. Overall, staff plan an exciting environment where children are eager to explore. For example, babies find out how they feel about handling ice. Older children enthusiastically gather natural resources outside, using their imaginations well to make a pretend meal or bake a cake. Staff use children's interests very effectively to engage them in their play and motivate their learning. For example, toddlers impressively identify whether they have more horses than pigs, as they play with the small-world farm. They count the animals and know the total when they find one more. Children are confident communicators. They develop good speaking and listening skills. Staff use effective questioning techniques to help children to extend their vocabulary, such as explaining what an author and illustrator do. They inspire children's enthusiasm for stories, so they

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The provision is good

listen intently and predict what might happen next. Staff make deliberate mistakes so that children excitedly show their understanding, such as the correct way to hold a book. Parents are very positive about the nursery and their children's experiences. Key workers are grateful to staff for continuing to run the nursery throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For those who did not attend, staff kept in touch and provided ideas and resources for parents to support their children at home. Partnerships became stronger and these have continued to benefit the children even more.

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need to do better?

n Staff work closely with parents to get to know the children well as soon as they start at the nursery. They seek important information about babies' routines and regularly update these as their needs change. Staff share essential information with parents, including each other's observations of children's development. This helps to quickly identify any gaps in their learning and plan to close them. n Managers intend for staff to support children's independence throughout the nursery and this is implemented very successfully. For example, staff give babies and toddlers encouragement to try to pull construction bricks apart. They tell them, 'I know it's tricky but you can do it.' Older children set the table for lunch and serve themselves their meal. Staff empower children to make choices and manage as much as they can for themselves. This gives them a sense of pride in their achievements and a willingness to persevere with new skills and

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need to do better?

challenges. n Children begin to recognise their names through daily routines. Babies enjoy textures, and toddlers are eager to have their turn with interactive books. However, although staff know that some children's next stages of learning are literacy skills, they do not use all occasions, as they arise, to challenge them. There are fewer opportunities for older children, who prefer to learn outdoors, to

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need to do better?

21 April 2022 access resources to extend their use of books or to practise their writing skills in their play. n Children's behaviour is exemplary in this highly inclusive setting. Staff are excellent role models and treat children and each other with respect. Older children are polite and thoughtful. They have an amazing awareness of the staff's high expectations and follow instructions willingly. For example, children start to take a turn at skittles and when politely informed by staff that another child is next, they kindly move out of the way and wait their turn. Two-year-old children are given visual and verbal instructions not to cross the line to the corridor without an adult and are observed to spontaneously stand and wait. n Children develop important healthy practices, such as drinking plenty of water, wearing hats and using sun cream outdoors in hot weather. Staff provide a clean, healthy environment and support children well in managing their personal

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need to do better?

hygiene. Staff work effectively with parents to support children's dental care. Children are provided with freshly cooked nutritious meals, which they thoroughly enjoy and give them energy for their busy day. n The strong management team provides successful support and supervision for staff. The team involves staff in continuous evaluations to monitor and improve practice. The new manager is supported by the experienced area and operations managers. They work as an efficient team, pooling their knowledge and experience to support staff and children. Managers recognise the importance of staff's well-being on children's care and development. They ensure that the staff feel valued and are committed to their ongoing development. For example, some senior staff started as an apprentice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding children. All staff attend training, and six staff are being trained to a lead role level. Managers ensure that staff understand their responsibilities and the signs to be aware of which may indicate that children are at risk of harm. For example, they regularly ask staff about different scenarios to keep their knowledge fresh. The premises are secure, and staff assess risks and check the environment to keep children safe.

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should:

n focus staff awareness of improving planning of the outdoor area to help older children to extend and challenge their next steps of learning, particularly in literacy development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY417132 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10126027 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Mama Bear's Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01823 276261 Date of previous inspection 21 August 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Mama Bear's Day Nursery registered in 2010 and is one of 26 family run nurseries. It is situated in the grounds of Somerset College, Taunton, Somerset. The nursery employs 11 members of staff who work directly with the children, including the manager. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, and one holds a qualification at level 5. There are seven staff who hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery 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 nursery 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 their evaluation of the nursery. n The operations manager led the inspector on a walk around the setting to discuss how they use the environment to implement the curriculum. n The operations manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector observed the quality of education, spoke with staff, and assessed the effectiveness of safeguarding and care procedures. n The inspector spoke with several parents and children at the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the operations and area managers and sampled documentation.

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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

21 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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