My First Friends Nursery

Inspection of My First Friends Nursery Ashbrook Drive, Rubery, Rednal, Birmingham, West Midlands B45 9FP

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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 well cared for. They forge close relationships with staff and often seek them out for a reassuring cuddle. Overall, children behave well. Pre- school children talk about the rules of the nursery. They work together to tidy away toys and learn to be kind and respectful to their friends and staff.

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The provision is good

Children are inquisitive and curious to investigate activities. Younger children have fun as they play with bubble wrap. They laugh and giggle as they listen to the popping sound that it makes. Staff encourage children to explore the texture with their hands and feet. Older children learn about similarities and differences between themselves and their friends. They look in mirrors and compare the colour of their eyes and hair. They carefully replicate what they see, using paint to make a self-portrait. Children are proud of their achievements. Staff provide praise and encouragement, which raises children's self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n The nursery benefits from a strong leadership and management team. The manager is knowledgeable and has a clear vision for the nursery and what she wants children to learn. She is supported in her role by senior managers from the company that has recently acquired the nursery. They work well together to identify areas for improvement to move the nursery forward. n Staff attend training to further their knowledge. The manager is supportive of staff and is keen for them to continue their professional development. She recognises and works to staff's strengths and encourages them to take on additional roles and responsibilities to enhance their skills. Regular supervision meetings, five-minute chat times and an open-door policy for staff to speak to the manager at any time provide staff with support and make them feel valued. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are extremely well

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need to do better?

supported. The special educational needs coordinator is experienced and provides support throughout the nursery. She works closely with children, staff, parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive the support they need to enable them to succeed at their own level and in their own time. n Children's communication and language are given high priority. The use of a screening tool enables staff to quickly identify any concerns and seek additional support when needed. Staff model language and sounds to younger children from an early age and encourage them to respond. For example, staff engage with younger children during their play as they make dinosaur sounds and encourage them to repeat the names of objects they see in a book. n Older children look at books and listen to stories. However, sometimes, the organisation of the group means that some children are unable to see. This hinders their enjoyment and ability to participate fully. In addition, when

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need to do better?

21 November 2022 children do become engrossed in a story, they are sometimes asked to leave to carry out routine tasks, such as washing their hands. This leaves children frustrated as they are unable to see the story through to its conclusion. n Children make good progress in their learning. However, there are not always enough resources available for children to fully enjoy. The same activities are put out during the morning and afternoon sessions, even though some children attend for the whole day. Staff do not provide children with enough opportunities to make choices and develop their own play. Sometimes, staff do not recognise when children lose interest and disengage or need additional help with the task they are trying to complete. n Children's health and well-being are given top priority. Staff are vigilant to ensure children who have allergies or dietary requirements are provided with the correct food. Children enjoy healthy meals. Younger children feed themselves

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need to do better?

independently, and older children serve themselves and pour their own drinks. However, the organisation of lunchtime for the older children sometimes becomes a little chaotic, especially when staff move away from the table. n Partnerships with parents are generally good. Parents speak highly of the care their children receive. Staff hold parents' evenings and workshops to inform them about the curriculum. However, the way that information is shared has recently changed to an online app, and there has been a gap in the amount of information provided. As a result, parents feel they would like more information about their child's learning and how they can continue to support this at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and well-being are given high priority. All staff attend safeguarding training and are continually kept up to date with any changes. They are aware of the types of abuse and the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child. Allegations are dealt with swiftly and reported to the appropriate agencies. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that all staff working with children are safe and suitable to do so. The premises are safe and secure.

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should:

n consider the organisation of activities and daily routines so that all children are able to fully participate and learning is not disrupted n provide children with a wide range of activities that enhance their learning and enable them to make choices in their play, and support staff to recognise when children are not engaged, lose interest or need additional help n review the information shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of their child's next steps and how to support them in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY294057 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10234869 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 120 Number of children on roll 119 Name of registered person My First Friends Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 453 6206 Date of previous inspection 4 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

My First Friends Nursery registered in 2004 and is in Rubery, Birmingham. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery employs 25 members of childcare staff. Of these, 22 hold appropriate early years qualifications to level 2 or above, including one who holds qualified teacher status and one who holds level 5. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Rebecca Johnson Maryanne Hepburn-Bean

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspectors about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

21 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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