St Thomas' Church Nursery

Inspection of St Thomas' Church Nursery Nairn Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 1UL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely well behaved and attentive. They respond to instructions and guidance thoughtfully and with initiative. For instance, when children are asked to tidy up, they understand that working as a team helps everyone. Children consequently check the willow tunnels together for any missing toys and carry large objects, such as crates and planks, in pairs. They feel safe in staff's care. Children learn to assess and manage their own risks as they play. For example, they discuss the best ways to make a pretend aeroplane so that passengers can get in safely, and not fall off their seats or knock the sides down.

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The provision is outstanding

Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are very happy and eager to learn. They respond well to staff's consistently high expectations and make excellent progress. Children develop self-awareness and confidence to learn. They enjoy many different experiences, such as choral singing for parents, or learning words in Swahili and German. Children are fully prepared for the next stage in their learning, including starting school.

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The provision is outstanding

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff took strong steps to ensure that every child was supported and cared for. Parents especially appreciated that staff made arrangements to stay open during the school holidays, as well as their normal term-time opening hours.

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need to do better?

n The experienced manager leads her very well-qualified team of staff with passion and purpose. Staff scrutinise and reflect on the quality of teaching and learning, to consistently build on all aspects of the nursery. All staff have well- defined leadership roles and make full use of innovative training to enrich children's communication skills and give two year olds the very best of starts. They make certain that the curriculum they provide is rich, sharply focused and engaging to fully meet children's needs. n Staff promote children's communication skills extremely well. They carefully plan to extend and secure children's key vocabulary and language skills, such as recognising rhyming patterns. Staff provide weekly information for parents on ways to support this learning at home. Children love to use the exciting words staff introduce them to. For example, they 'transform' the shape in their modelling work or act as the 'cabin crew' and 'pilot' on their way to their

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need to do better?

'destination' in their role play. n Staff accurately assess children's starting points in learning. They identify and address any gaps in children's development. Staff make very good use of any additional funding that children receive. For example, highly experienced staff provide individual care to help children to gain the independence and skills which

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need to do better?

11 July 2022 they need for future learning. n Staff place books at the heart of much of children's learning. They read stories in a highly engaging way. Staff skilfully question children to deepen their understanding and recall. They carefully choose books that develop children's interests and introduce them to a world beyond their immediate experiences. Staff help children to relish story times, listen attentively, and understand the plot and characters. n Staff very strongly promote children's expressive and creative skills. Children learn to love songs and rhymes. For example, children pay great attention to the tone, rhythm and clarity in response to staff's musical skills. Children develop very effective skills to support their creativity. For example, they colour and cut with great accuracy and imagination as they create pictures, maps and flags for their pretend holiday destinations. n Staff effectively help children to develop their well-being and an appreciation of

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need to do better?

a healthy lifestyle. Parents comment on the care and support which they receive to help children's toilet training and personal hygiene. Staff engage children in growing radishes, potatoes and other crops that they can harvest and use in food preparation at nursery and home. n Staff support children's personal development very effectively. They understand children's emotional needs very well. Staff help children to express and manage their feelings and work closely with parents to help children modify their behaviour at home. They enrich children's social experiences through carefully planned visits from members of the local community, staff and parents to share their interests and cultures. n Parents very strongly recommend the nursery. They comment on the warmth and deep understanding which staff have of their children. Parents appreciate the excellent range of frequent information that they receive to help children

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need to do better?

learn at home and to prepare them for starting school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead reviews the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are current and clear. Safeguarding is discussed at every staff meeting. Staff are regularly tested, challenged and supported to refresh their knowledge. They understand how to recognise signs that children may be at risk of abuse or neglect, and know how to record and report their concerns. Staff know the relevant agencies to inform. They have an excellent understanding of a range of safeguarding concerns, such as protecting children from extreme views.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 300781 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10131545 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person St Thomas Church Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0114 2671090 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2016

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Information about this early years setting

St. Thomas' Church Nursery registered in 1986 and is located in Sheffield. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, one at level 4 and six hold qualified teacher status. The nursery is open Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 1pm on Monday and Friday, and from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 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 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 deputy manager conducted a learning walk with the inspector to review children's learning experiences. n The children talked to the inspector about their activities. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation of children's activities. n The inspector held discussions with members of staff throughout the nursery. n The inspector discussed the management and organisation of the nursery with the manager and deputy manager. He reviewed relevant 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

11 July 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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