Carealot Day Nursery

Inspection of Carealot Day Nursery Fox Crescent, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2BL

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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 happy and enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. The key-person system is well established. This helps children to form strong relationships with familiar adults. All children are well cared for by staff, who know them well. This helps children feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff talk to children about making 'good choices' and encourage them to be kind and share resources. Children make good friendships and play cooperatively with each other. Children show good levels of independence across the nursery. For example, young children use tissues to wipe their own noses. Older children use the toilet independently and know they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

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The provision is good

Children show interest and are keen to join in with activities. Young children show good levels of curiosity as they explore textures, such as rice and breakfast cereal. Older children excitedly make their own play dough and talk about how it feels as they add the different ingredients. Children particularly enjoy being outside, where they have plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they play on the climbing frame, carefully walk across the balancing beams, and energetically push themselves up and down on the see-saw.

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need to do better?

n The two dedicated managers are committed to providing children with the best possible care and learning experiences. They work closely with parents to make sure they know them well and understand children's home lives. The management team uses additional funding effectively to enhance the children's experiences. For example, the purchase of outside wooden houses ensures that children can play and learn outside in all weather. n The management team observe staff's practice and provide feedback to support staff and help improve their skills. They meet regularly with staff to discuss any concerns and identify any training needs. The management team ensure staff complete a good range of training. Staff report their well-being is taken into account. They advise they have regular opportunities to share their views about the setting. n Staff plan a broad curriculum to follow children's interests, support their

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need to do better?

individual needs and prepare them for school. Overall, staff identify and focus support for children's next steps precisely and share this information with parents. However, this is not always completed across the nursery consistently. As a result, not all parents know how to support their child's next steps in learning at home. n Overall, staff support children's early language development well. They read

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need to do better?

29 September 2022 children a good variety of stories, sing a wide range of songs and teach older children sign language. However, staff recognise that the level of support currently in place does not help all children to communicate effectively, particularly those learning English as an additional language and those with additional needs. n Staff skilfully use spontaneous opportunities to extend children's thinking and learning as they play. For example, as children build brick towers, staff encourage children to compare the sizes and introduce mathematical language, such as 'shorter' and 'taller'. n During mealtimes, staff support children's independence well and promote good table manners. Older children serve themselves at lunchtime and skilfully use knives to cut up their own fruit at snack time. Younger children sit at low level furniture and use cutlery to feed themselves. Staff encourage and praise

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need to do better?

children, promoting their confidence and self-esteem. n Parents speak very positively about the nursery. They praise the 'caring and friendly staff' and say, 'it's an amazing, welcoming place'. Parents say their children are happy and 'smile from the moment they go inside'. They complement staff for taking time to talk to them about their children's experiences at nursery when they collect them. Parents comment that they are pleased with the progress their children make in their development at the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff attend regular safeguarding training, which includes wider aspects of safeguarding, such as radicalisation. Staff have a secure understanding of the possible signs and behaviours that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff are clear about how to refer any concerns they may have. Staff understand how to respond swiftly to any concerns they may have about behaviour of another member of staff. A thorough recruitment and induction procedure is in place to ensure children are cared for by staff who are suitable to do so.

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should:

n support staff to identify and focus support for children's next steps precisely and share this information with parents consistently n extend opportunities for all children to build on their communication skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402191 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10233601 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 32 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Carealot Day Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01245 353765 Date of previous inspection 8 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Carealot Day Nursery is privately run. It registered in 1999 and is situated in Chelmsford. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 4. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, and offers various sessions between the hours of 8am to 6pm. 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 nursery 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and discussed their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector reviewed parent testimonials and spoke to several parents during

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Inspection activities

the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

29 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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