Smartys Toddler Nursery

Inspection of Smartys Toddler Nursery 2 and 4 Taverners Drive, Little Stoke, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 8QF

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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 and parents receive a warm welcome when they arrive at this friendly nursery. Children quickly settle into the routine of the day and become engrossed in their play. Babies and toddlers are keen to explore the environment and enjoy making choices about what they would like to do. Children develop good relationships with staff and feel safe and secure in this nurturing nursery. This is because staff take their time getting to know the children and have good attachments with them.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy being outside in the fresh air. They are developing their physical skills through their enjoyment of using outdoor equipment. For example, they skilfully move along the balancing beams and manoeuvre bikes around the track. They choose a variety of activities, such as digging and water play, filling and emptying containers with water. Children are keen to look at the woodlouse they find. They have a lovely conversation about the creature and carefully return it to its habitat. This shows children's interest in the world around them. Children are busy, display high levels of curiosity and remain consistently engaged. For instance, once they finish an activity, they eagerly move on to the next one to explore and learn.

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need to do better?

n The manager has high expectations for the children in her care. Her curriculum covers all areas of learning and is well sequenced. Staff are fully aware of the intent for the curriculum, and this is well implemented. Staff collect information from parents about what their children can do when they first join, to fully understand children's starting points in learning. Staff use their observations effectively to identify children's next steps in learning. When children need extra help, staff arrange effective activities and support to meet their needs. n Kind, caring and experienced staff get to know children well. They support children's varied needs effectively. For instance, they encourage younger babies to pull themselves up to access resources and older babies to take steps independently. Staff support children's developing self-care skills effectively and encourage good hygiene routines. They teach children about healthy food

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need to do better?

choices and oral health. Babies and toddlers benefit from going on regular walks around the local area. n Children make good progress in their communication and language skills. Staff provide a narrative for children as they play, modelling sounds and words, and playing peekaboo with babies. Staff regularly encourage children to sing, use rhymes and look at books. Two-year-olds recall actions and some words to their favourite songs. All children are confident to express their wants and needs. However, occasionally, staff do not find out older children's ideas when

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need to do better?

15 November 2022 introducing an activity to further extend children's language skills and optimise their learning. n Staff are good role models and use their knowledge of behaviour management well. They use a gentle approach to help children learn how to behave. They teach children the importance of sharing and turn taking. In addition, staff offer regular praise during activities to boost children's self-esteem. n Parents say that staff are approachable and friendly. They confirm that their children have developed their skills and knowledge since attending the nursery and state that they are pleased with their children's progress. Parents have the opportunity to share news and information about children's achievements and current interests online and at parent consultations. This helps staff to plan for what children need to learn next, using their interests to engage and motivate them. Parents receive information about current topics and events at the

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need to do better?

nursery. This helps them join in with opportunities for learning at home. n The manager and staff team are reflective and they work hard to continually improve the setting. Staff make sure that the environment offers a mixture of support and challenge for all children. Regular supervision, opportunities for training and discussions help staff to feel valued and supported in their work.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand the safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. They can easily identify when there is a concern about a child's welfare and know what action to take to safeguard them. They know who to contact in the event of receiving an allegation against an adult. Staff are aware of the 'Prevent' duty and why it is in place. They are aware of their duty to prevent children from exposure to situations which may put them at significant risk of harm. Staff carry out risk assessments of the learning environment to remove any potential risks to help keep children safe.

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should:

n review the planning of some activities, to help children to express their ideas and develop a wider and more varied vocabulary.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 218486 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10234341 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 42 Name of registered person Smarty's Day Nursery (Stone) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01785 817974 Date of previous inspection 23 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Smartys Toddler Nursery registered in 2010. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds early years professional status and six hold an appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 inspector and the nursery manager completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of a teaching activity was carried out by the inspector and the nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during 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 setting. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the providers and the nursery manager.

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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

15 November 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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