Conifers Day Nursery

Inspection of Conifers Day Nursery The Old School House, 1 The Uplands, Smethwick B67 6EG

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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 are happy and confident in this welcoming nursery. Staff are kind, respectful and nurturing to all children in their care. Babies form close bonds with them and enjoy frequent cuddles. Older children are very sociable and invite adults to sit next to them to talk over lunch. Toddlers are eager to learn. They enjoy the regular praise and encouragement that staff give them for their successes, for example when they have used the potty. This helps children to develop self- confidence and a sense of achievement. Staff supervise children well and are attentive to their individual needs.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and understand about the rules and boundaries. They sensibly follow the routines of the day and develop a sense of responsibility. Toddlers know to tidy away resources when they have finished with them. They carefully push in their chairs when they leave the table. Children learn how their actions affect others and how to share and take turns.

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The provision is good

Children make good progress from their starting points. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language. Children learn the skills and attitudes they need in readiness for school. They are curious and ask questions to deepen their understanding. Children are articulate communicators and explain their ideas confidently.

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need to do better?

n The recently appointed manager has a clear vision for the future of the nursery and how to enhance the quality of the provision for children. She works closely with the deputy manager and staff to review practice and identify ways to improve further. For example, staff reflect on their interactions with children and consider if children need the space to explore for themselves or whether their play would benefit from adult intervention. n Leaders understand the importance of supporting staff to continually improve their professional knowledge and skills. They provide staff with effective supervision, coaching and training. Recent training helped staff who work with toddlers to extend their skills in managing children's behaviour. n Leaders have a well-planned education programme for children that helps them to build on their knowledge and skills over time. Teaching is good and staff implement the curriculum effectively. The special educational needs coordinator

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need to do better?

and staff ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need. Staff work closely with other professionals to implement targeted support for children. They successfully help to close any gaps in children's learning. n Overall, staff have created a learning environment that motivates children to

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need to do better?

15 June 2022 play and learn. For example, babies sustain their interest as they explore the various textures of dried cereals. This supports their fine motor control as they use their fingers to pick up small pieces of cereal. However, staff do not plan as well as possible for all areas where babies and pre-school children play, to fully stimulate them to explore, and to challenge their learning. n Staff have a good knowledge of children's individual needs, personalities and learning priorities. They provide children with a wide range of valuable learning experiences that help them to gain new knowledge and skills. For example, pre- school children explain how some dinosaurs are called carnivores because they ate meat. They know that a brachiosaurus was a herbivore and fed on plants. However, staff do not plan as precisely as possible for larger group activities to ensure that all children benefit from the learning experiences and are fully

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need to do better?

challenged. n Staff skilfully support children to progress well in their communication and language. Babies link action words to objects, such as saying 'drink' when they offer a cup to an adult. They know the sounds that different animals make. Toddlers copy words and phrases that they hear staff say. They attempt to say more complex words such as 'octopus'. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. They say their children enjoy attending and make good progress. They praise the support that staff provide to children with SEND. Leaders are beginning to welcome parents back into the setting following the lifting of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff make careful risk assessments to check that the areas of the nursery used by children are safe. They thoroughly risk assess for outings and ensure that ensure staff are deployed effectively to keep children safe. Staff take all necessary steps in respond to any accidents that children have. They complete the required written documents and inform parents. Leaders and staff have a good understanding of how to protect children and understand the procedures to follow if they identify any concerns about a child's welfare. They follow robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff suitability. Leaders keep up to date with their knowledge of local safeguarding concerns and train their staff on a regular basis.

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should:

n extend the planning for children's learning environments to ensure that all areas where children play fully challenge them in their learning n consider more closely the planning for group activities to ensure that all children benefit from the learning opportunities and are fully challenged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY551849 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10174306 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 36 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Conifers Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01215582998 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Conifers Day Nursery registered in 2017 and is situated in Smethwick. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold approved early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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. The inspector observed teaching practices and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the leaders, staff, children and parents. n The inspector sampled some of the setting's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.

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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

15 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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