My First Word...Grows Up Portslade

Inspection of My First Word...Grows Up Portslade South Portslade Commumity Centre, Church Road, Portslade, East Sussex BN41 1LB

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

Children arrive happily and eager to learn. Staff greet children warmly and take the time to catch up on their news with interest. For example, children excitedly share items collected on their way to nursery. Even new children settle quickly, demonstrating that they feel a sense of belonging and security. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They discuss the importance of washing hands and take care when climbing trees. However, staff do not consider the potential risk of all activities on offer. This impacts on children's welfare.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are developing a love of books. Babies show great interest in familiar stories as they self select books and share these with staff. They point out pictures that capture their curiosity and concentrate as they turn pages. Staff check children's understanding by asking questions. For instance, when prompted, children point to parts of their bodies that correlate with the story. This helps children make connections between text, language and objects.

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The provision requires improvement

Children behave well. They follow the rules and remind others to use 'gentle hands' when playing together. Older children resolve their own conflict as they find solutions when they both want to play with the same item. Staff prioritise children's socialisation skills as they plan opportunities that promote sharing. For example, they limit the amount of resources to encourage children to express their needs, share and take turns.

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need to do better?

n The manager and her staff team are clear on what they intend children to learn and achieve during their time at nursery. They use their local knowledge and information they gather from parents to create a rich and varied curriculum. They use assessment effectively to identify and address gaps in learning. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, are making good progress as a result. n Children have lots of opportunities to develop their understanding of early mathematical concepts. This helps provide children with the foundation of basic knowledge they will need for future learning. For example, children use a variety of equipment, such as large weighing scales, to explore weight and measure in the garden. n Children are developing an understanding of the world and a sense of what makes them unique. During snack time, older children discuss their likes and

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need to do better?

dislikes and how this differs between them. They learn about different cultures and welcome each other in a range of languages, such as Polish, Portuguese and Romanian.

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need to do better?

12 September 2022 n Staff carefully select toys and equipment to capture children's interest and promote learning. Children actively engage and concentrate for long periods of time on self-selected play. However, staff working with the babies do not always make best use of the space available. This means that during routine activities, such as nappy changing times, the play space can become restricted. This has an impact on young children's opportunities to expand their play at all times. n Children have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they participate in weekly yoga sessions, which helps to develop their core strength and control. Older children benefit from and confidently navigate the space around them. They show enjoyment as they run, balance on beams, climb trees, swing and transport items from one area to another. n Children's early language development is generally well supported. Staff listen

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need to do better?

intently to children's emerging speech. They repeat unclear or developing sounds and words, commentate their play and use pictures to promote early communication. However, teaching for older children can be inconsistent at times. For instance, staff do not make full use of discussion to extend children's vocabulary at every opportunity. This inhibits children from reaching their fullest potential. n The manager uses monitoring and supervision arrangements successfully to identify staff development needs. Since the last inspection, staff have extended their professional development in areas such as child development, emotional well-being and safeguarding. This has had a positive impact on the quality of teaching. n The manager and her team do not consistently consider the appropriateness of all activities on offer. For example, older children use rainwater in the garden to make creations in the mud kitchen. However, at times, children were observed

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need to do better?

to 'taste' what they have made. This has an impact on children's welfare.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff know the children they care for very well and are alert to changes that may indicate a child welfare concern. Staff have completed safeguarding training and demonstrate good level of knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures to keep children safe. This includes new staff and apprentices. The manager regularly assesses staff's understanding of child protection through discussion and scenario work. The manager completes appropriate checks on staff to assess their suitability, both during recruitment and on an ongoing basis.

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Due date

improve risk assessments to ensure all potential risks are identified, minimised and shared with staff, with particular regard to activities and events. 03/10/2022

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should:

n review the organisation of routine activities and the space available for babies to ensure these do not limit learning n utilise opportunities to promote discussion with older children to help broaden their vocabulary.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554664 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10237577 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person My First Word Grows Up Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07789812020 Date of previous inspection 22 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

My First Word... Grows Up Portslade opened in 2018. It operates from a community centre in Portslade, East Sussex. The setting opens from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two-, three-, and four-years-old children. There are seven members of staff. Of these, five hold a relevant qualification at level 2 and above.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 provision and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a focused activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

12 September 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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