Funtasia First Steps Nursery

Inspection of Funtasia First Steps Nursery 408 Huddersfield Road, Millbrook, Stalybridge, Cheshire SK15 3ET

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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

The philosophy, 'Making those first steps count', is what makes this nursery so special. The children giggle and laugh when entering the nursery and are happy and settled. Children form very strong attachments with their key persons. This supports their emotional well-being extremely well. For example, children who are settling into the nursery enjoy quality time with their key persons. This helps them feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Toddlers giggle with enjoyment blowing and catching bubbles with their friends, supporting their large-muscle skills. Children show care towards one another and talk about the bubbles together 'Look it's going high'. Children have lots of opportunities to develop good physical skills. They exercise their large muscles when learning to climb and balance on the climbing apparatus. Children strengthen their small finger muscles, scooping and pouring sensory materials. Children's communication and language is supported well. Staff listen to children with interest and ask them questions during their play. This supports children to be confident communicators.

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The provision is good

Key persons and managers ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. The excellent key person's knowledge means that any gaps in children's learning and any specific needs are identified early.

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need to do better?

n Children's emotional well-being is given the utmost priority. Staff are skilled in supporting children who may need additional emotional support. For example, settling children into the setting or giving extra time and space in the nook for children to self-regulate their own feelings. n There is excellent support for children with SEND, including the use of chunky jigsaws and sensory play individual to their needs. Staff go above and beyond and leave no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that children get the support they need. Intervention plans are sharply focused, so all children make good progress. n Staff are passionate about providing the best possible start for the children and their families. The children are at the heart of everything they do. Managers and owners have a clear passion and dedication to providing the highest education learning opportunities for the children in the setting. Overall, leadership and

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need to do better?

management of this nursery are very strong. n Partnership working is good. Parents speak very positively of the nursery and typical comments include that nursery have 'incredible and amazing staff who are supportive, friendly, welcoming'. Parents all know who their child's key

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need to do better?

24 June 2022 person is, and they are updated on their child's progress daily. This shows working in partnership with parents. n The quality of teaching is strong but not yet outstanding. The managers create an environment that supports the intent of an ambitious curriculum, but some staff do not always assess what children already know and use this to further extend children's learning. For example, some staff provide resources that are too difficult for children to use and pitched too high for their stage of development. As a result, some children lose interest in their learning. n Children consistently develop vocabulary to communicate in a language-rich environment. For example, the children enjoy playing with friends and becoming chefs in the mud kitchen and making cups of tea with the ladles and water provided. Children are confident communicators and engage in deep conversation with the staff and their friends about pouring the water in the

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need to do better?

teapot. n Training is high on the agenda in this nursery. Members of staff have recently attended Raising Early Awareness in Literacy training and visited families' homes with resources, working with them to support their children's early literacy and development in aspects of oral language. n Staff have high expectations for all children's behaviour. The children understand the routine of the day and staff use prompts to support some children. n Children have access to a wealth of books. Staff read a variety of stories in the 'nook' and sing songs with the children throughout the day. For example, a member of staff reads 'Pete the Cat' and all children engage in listening and singing 'I like my blue shoes'. This helps children to develop the love of books and essential listening skills to develop a joy of reading at an early age.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Clear, robust recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that staff working with children are suitable. Leaders and staff attend safeguarding training and understand the referral procedure. They know the possible indicators of abuse and understand safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty, female genital mutilation and witchcraft. In a separate room is a private area for nappy changing with a blocked off panel around it to protect children's privacy. Children using the toilet have separate cubicles and use these independently. The premises are secure and well maintained, which contributes to keeping children safe. Staff are also confident in taking action should they be concerned about a colleague or member of the management team.

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should:

24 June 2022 n focus more precisely on assessments of what children already know and use this to further extend children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562119 Local authority Tameside Inspection number 10190642 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 40 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Funtasia Kids Clubs Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0161 304 0330 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Funtasia First Steps Nursery registered in 2018. The nursery employs seven members of staff. Five members of staff hold a qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year around. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. 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 setting 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 setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children throughout the day and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, parents, and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability and training of staff. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

24 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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