Magic Sparks Nursery

Inspection of Magic Sparks Nursery Quantrill House (1st floor), 2 Dunstable Road, Luton LU1 1DX

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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 are safe and well cared for at the nursery. Babies develop meaningful relationships with their key person. They enjoy the activities that staff plan for them. For instance, they concentrate as they stack blocks in a tower. The oldest children talk with staff about how they feel during group time in the morning. This helps them to become considerate to those around them.

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The provision is good

Toddlers learn to wait and take turns with toys. They sit patiently waiting for the sand timer to finish before they take their turn. Children develop their independence. They climb steps carefully up to the changing mat when it is time for their key person to change their nappy.

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The provision is good

Children gain new experiences and learn about their wider community. The oldest children make lists of what foods they would like for an upcoming party. They talk about what foods are healthy and unhealthy. Children share their own experiences with others. For instance, children bring their pet rabbit in to show their friends as part of the topic they are learning about. This gives children the opportunity to build confidence and share their home life with their friends. Other children, who may not have pets, learn about how to care for animals.

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need to do better?

n The committed owner and manager have made significant improvements to the nursery since the last inspection. They have worked tirelessly to address the previous actions set. For instance, children move carefully up and down the stairs, closely supervised by staff. They sing a song about how to move carefully through the car park as they hold on to safety rings while walking to the garden. This helps children to keep safe. n Children who speak English as an additional language receive strong support. Staff find out about children's backgrounds when they start at the nursery. They learn key vocabulary in children's home languages. This helps them to meet children's needs. Older children demonstrate their developing understanding of English. For instance, they talk about the 'very cold' ice cubes that they explore. Staff provide children with relevant language as they complete activities. As a result, children are able to communicate what they know effectively with staff.

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need to do better?

n Children work collaboratively together. For example, the oldest children help one another pour water from a teapot into cups. Toddlers play alongside one another. Staff help them to build friendships with those around them. Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are quickly identified. Staff support them with short, focused activities to help them interact with others. They use visual timetables to support children to understand what will happen next. These strategies contribute towards all children making good

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need to do better?

25 May 2022 progress. n Parents are very happy with the care that their children receive. They find staff supportive and approachable. Staff and managers know the families they work with well. Parents gain regular feedback about their children's time at the nursery. They share information with staff about what children do at home through the online application they use. Staff are then able to build on children's experiences during their time at nursery. n Overall, children behave well. They sit down and eat their meals together, developing their manners. Staff have a range of strategies to support children's behaviour if they need to. However, occasionally some staff do not use these strategies as effectively as possible. This means that, sometimes, children receive mixed messages about what staff expect of them, such as when toddlers line up to return indoors from the garden. n The staff team has strengthened since the previous inspection. The manager has

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need to do better?

worked hard to recruit qualified and experienced staff. These staff members act as positive role models for less experienced members of the team. Staff complete necessary training. However, the training they complete is not yet highly focused to support specific areas of children's learning. This contributes towards staff's interactions with children not being as consistently strong as they possibly could be.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand how to identify the potential signs of abuse and neglect. They confidently understand the process to follow should they have concerns regarding children's welfare. Staff complete regular safeguarding training. They are aware of wider safeguarding issues, such as how to identify children who may be at risk of exposure to radicalisation. The manager liaises with other professionals, such as social workers. She recognises the importance of sharing information with them regularly to help to keep children safe.

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should:

n support all children to consistently follow routines and instructions and understand what staff expect of them n continue to provide staff with professional development opportunities to raise the quality of their interactions with children to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2617851 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10218190 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 54 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Magic Sparks Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07415167240 Date of previous inspection 7 December 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Magic Sparks Nursery registered in 2021 and is situated in Luton. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff, including the owner. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and three hold a qualification at level 6, including the manager. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7am to 6pm. The nursery 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 The inspector completed a learning walk with the manager and owner. They discussed with the inspector what they want children to learn and how the curriculum is arranged. n The inspector held discussions with parents. She took their views into consideration. n The inspector and manager jointly observed staff interacting with children. They discussed the impact of these interactions on children's learning and development. n The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including staff suitability and insurance documents.

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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

25 May 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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