Educare For Early Years (Brockhall)

Inspection of Educare For Early Years (Brockhall) Damson Close, Brockhall Village, Blackburn BB6 8HL

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are clearly very happy and settled in this appealing and safe nursery. They form a strong emotional bond with their key person from the very onset. Transition through the nursery and on to school is seamless and well supported. Children's behaviour is good. Younger children work together as a team when washing cars outdoors. Children of all ages display good table manners. They use cutlery, such as knives and forks, sensibly during mealtimes. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, such as when cracking their own eggs during baking activities. Children are incredibly sociable. Babies happily engage in pretend play alongside others. Older children form special friendships ahead of their move on to school.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff engage children in high-quality learning, to help them to reach their full potential. Babies use their senses to explore resources, such as lights and streamers. They take interest in the illustrations within books. Younger children are quick to recall that 'milk comes from a cow'. They clearly express what makes them feel happy. Older children are confident communicators. They share their aspirations for the future, such as when talking about becoming a 'chef' or a 'police officer' when they grow up. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) adapt well to any new routines with close support. They demonstrate increasing independence when pouring their own water at snack time.

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need to do better?

n Staff engage in high-quality interactions with children, to build on their current skills. For example, when creating a map of the local area, staff encourage older children to estimate the time it will take to travel from the church to school. Children are confident to use mathematical language associated with time and position. They use tools such as scissors with increasing control. n Leaders ensure that new staff are supported by an experienced mentor. They actively strive to reduce staff's workload and help them to maintain a good work and home life balance. Leaders engage staff in meaningful supervision sessions. However, training is not yet highly focused on enhancing staff's knowledge of the curriculum, to aid their good teaching practice further. n The proactive staff identify and target support for children with SEND. They make good use of any funding, to close gaps in children's learning. For example,

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need to do better?

the additional small-group sessions are positively impacting on children's social interaction skills. n Staff place a sharp emphasis on helping children to develop a love for books and reading. They invite children of all ages to select books from the visiting library bus and engage them in helpful home reading schemes. This introduces children to a broad range of vocabulary and helps to successfully bridge any word gaps. n Partnerships with parents are superb. Staff provide parents with innovative

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need to do better?

9 August 2022 home-learning ideas. For example, they encourage parents to take babies on a nature walk to collect natural resources. Staff then use these objects to create sensory bottles for babies to explore. Parents say that 'they feel part of the nursery family' and that 'staff go above and beyond to support all children'. n The considerate staff value and appreciate the geographical context of the nursery and children that attend. They encourage children to share information about their individual backgrounds. During show and tell sessions, younger children enjoy talking about aspects, such as a recent visit to the beach and a new pet. They gain a broad understanding of what makes them unique. n Staff recognise that some children have found it more difficult to manage their feelings and behaviour since the onset of the pandemic. They encourage all children to openly talk about how they are feeling each day. The new 'mini

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need to do better?

moves' groups are providing ways for babies and younger children to exert their energy in safe ways, including through gentle peer massage. This is contributing towards children's positive mental well-being and behaviour. n Children benefit from the consistent routines that are in place within the nursery. They enjoy moving between areas, such as the play rooms, the play club, the outdoors and the art studio during the day. However, at times, particularly when larger groups of children mix together, the noise level can become a little too high. This sometimes causes minor disruptions to children's play and learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure that all staff complete a wide range of safeguarding training and have access to regular updates. They regularly test out staff's knowledge of safeguarding through the use of a purposeful quiz. Staff understand the procedures they need to follow to protect children's welfare. They take steps to keep children safe. For example, staff read meaningful stories to older children, to educate them about the dangers of using the internet and how to stay safe. They share information with parents relating to weaning, safe sleeping and online safety, to promote children's health and safety at home.

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should:

n strengthen the programme of professional development and focus more intently on enhancing staff's knowledge and understanding of the early years curriculum, to help to raise the quality of their teaching practice to an outstanding level n make even better use of the available indoor and outdoor spaces, to further minimise disruption and support all children to remain deeply engaged in their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490431 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10236675 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 86 Number of children on roll 117 Name of registered person Educare For Early Years Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01254247766 Date of previous inspection 17 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Educare For Early Years (Brockhall) registered in 2015. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold relevant qualifications at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 and two hold early years teacher status. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm and there is an optional early start from 7.30am. 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 that 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 her evaluation of the nursery. n The provider led the inspector on a learning walk to show how the nursery is organised and to share information about the intent for the early years curriculum. n A planned activity was jointly evaluated by the inspector and the provider. n The inspector held discussions with the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She held a separate meeting with the provider to discuss aspects of leadership and management. n A sample of documents were viewed by the inspector. These included evidence of the suitability of staff, a record of staff qualifications and training and some of the policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents over the telephone and took

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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 August 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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