Blandford Children Centre Nursery

Inspection of Blandford Children Centre Nursery Blandfords Children Centre, Black Lane, BLANDFORD FORUM, Dorset DT11 8SW

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enter the nursery cheerfully and wave goodbye to their parents and carers at the main door. They are greeted by friendly staff, who welcome them. Children are happy and settled in the nursery and are very familiar with the routines that staff have implemented. They listen well, follow instructions throughout the day and include others in their play. Children are self-assured and inquisitive. They show respect towards others and behave well. They form close attachments to staff and have good attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders noticed that some children needed support with their socialisation skills, such as playing with other children. Staff help children to learn how to behave with others successfully. Children enjoy spending time in the garden and delight in participating in group games with their friends. For example, they play excitedly with a brightly coloured parachute. Staff give clear instructions and allow children time to fully explore and enjoy the experience. Children giggle when the instruction is for all the children to go underneath the parachute. They hide under the parachute, wait patiently and laugh loudly when staff lift the parachute. This has a positive impact on children's social and emotional development, such as building friendships.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff provide a well-thought-out curriculum for all children. The curriculum is planned carefully and structured to build on what children need to learn next. Staff use children's interests to support their development across all areas of learning. For instance, they have identified that children need support with healthy eating. Staff encourage children to try nutritious foods at the nursery. They plan activities such as creating a role-play shop with real items. Children cut up vegetables and become deeply involved in exploring the textures and smells. n Children's literacy development is well supported. They enjoy cosy reading areas indoors and in the garden. Staff have established a library system recently. This enables children to share their favourite stories at home. Children recall and draw pictures from the books to extend their understanding of the stories. n Staff know the children well. They identify when children are not making

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need to do better?

progress in their learning and seek support from outside agencies. They implement strategies to support children's communication and language, such as sign language. However, staff do not always fully promote children's thinking skills. For example, they do not always ask children challenging questions, or give them enough time to think when responding to questions. n Staff encourage children to follow healthy lifestyles. Children can plant, grow and harvest vegetables. This helps to extend their knowledge of growth cycles

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need to do better?

9 June 2022 and where food groups come from. Older children enjoy activities where they learn about teeth and the importance of good oral hygiene. They use toothbrushes and sets of teeth to learn how to brush teeth effectively. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, in the garden, younger children climb and slide on the apparatus and older children use wheeled toys to move around. n The provider strives to make the nursery the best it can be for the children and families who attend. Staff comment on the approachable nature of the management team and say they feel well supported in their role. Leaders carry out regular meetings with staff to support and identify training that they may wish to attend to deepen their knowledge and skills. Recent training has had a positive impact on helping children to regulate their behaviour. n Parents speak highly of the staff, describing them as 'approachable and friendly'.

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need to do better?

They appreciate the links that staff have with the local school to enable a smooth transition process when children are ready to move on. Staff keep parents informed about their children's day and learning. They provide parents with regular opportunities to discuss their children's progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff update their safeguarding knowledge regularly through training, discussions and staff meetings. Staff can identify the signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm, including wider safeguarding issues. They know who to contact should they have concerns about a child or adult. Leaders deploy staff effectively. The children are well supervised as child-to-adult ratios are always followed. Most staff have completed paediatric first-aid training. This ensures they can support children in the event of an accident. Risk assessment arrangements are effective to ensure the environment is safe and secure.

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should:

n support staff to further improve their interactions with children, to give children time to think and respond to questions, and to make the most of conversations to extend learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2535360 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10208566 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 48 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Dorset Council

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reference number

Telephone number 01258 457856 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Blandford Children Centre Nursery registered in 2019. The local authority manages the nursery, which operates from the children's centre in Blandford, Dorset. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks per year, excluding public holidays. There are 12 members of staff, of whom one holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 6, three at level 4, six at level 3 and one at level 2. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n During a joint observation, the deputy manager and the inspector evaluated the quality of education provided. n Discussions were held with staff, parents and children, who offered feedback about their experiences with the setting. n The inspector scrutinised appropriate documentation, including paediatric first- aid certificates and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

9 June 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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