Storytime Private Day Nursery

Inspection of Storytime Private Day Nursery 57 Horace Street, ST. HELENS, Merseyside WA10 4LZ

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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 sociable and confident in this setting, and staff value their thoughts and opinions. They are happy when they arrive and keen to explore the activities, which are based on their needs and interests. In addition, children are offered lots of opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom and out into the wider community. Together, they write their own shopping lists and visit the supermarket. They attend activities at the local library and entertain the older adults in a local care home with their songs. Children learn that families are different and regularly take donations to the local food bank.

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The provision is good

Staff know how to recognise that a child may be in need of additional support. They work closely in partnership with parents and other professionals to address this. This enables all children to make good progress at this setting. The setting is well resourced, both indoors and outdoors. Combining this with knowledgeable, passionate staff allows children to have access to an exciting and stimulating learning environment. Parents are very supportive of the setting and refer to it as a 'caring community'.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children very well and demonstrate an enthusiasm and passion towards teaching. They know how to plan appropriate next steps for children. This extends children's learning and supports them to make good progress. n Staff enable children to make their own decisions. For example, they have a choice of stories and a choice of what to play with. All staff listen carefully to the children and respond to them sensitively. This enables children to feel valued and to have a voice at this setting. n Staff speak clearly and at a good pace when they read to the children. They are confident in using sign language to enhance the storytelling process. The story is told in a way that excites and engages the children, who sit quietly on the carpet. They listen intently and join in with familiar actions. This helps them to develop a love of books and storytelling. n The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced. Staff understand the

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need to do better?

importance of rhyme and stories to support children's language skills. This give opportunities for children to think and talk. However, staff do not always interact with the children as much as they could during care practices, such as when they are changing children's nappies. This does not consistently promote communication and language to the highest level. n Staff are good at widening children's experiences by taking them out into the community. For example, with the children, they take a homemade painted poppy wreath to the cenotaph on Remembrance Day and then enjoy a ride on a bus back to the setting. This gives the children opportunities and experiences

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need to do better?

25 November 2022 they may not normally encounter and helps them to learn about the wider world. n Carefully selected resources that promote children's understanding of equality and diversity are available in every room. For example, staff have made multicultural peg dolls that children use to make up stories about. As a result, children are beginning to learn about similarities and differences. n Children are able to follow clearly established routines. For example, they know they need to wash their hands before sitting down to their meal. They are able to exercise patience while waiting to go up and serve themselves at lunch, and they know it is their responsibility to clear away their own dishes. Children show high levels of independence. n Staff understand the importance of working with parents to support children's progress. They feel valued and part of their children's learning. Parents talk about the different ways in which they are informed about the progress their

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need to do better?

children are making and ideas to support their children's learning at home. This promotes a consistency of care for children. n Managers, room leaders, practitioners and apprentices are all determined to improve outcomes for children. This reflective culture contributes to better practice throughout the nursery. Staff have weekly meetings to discuss children's needs. This ensures children's needs are consistently met. n Parents are encouraged to nominate staff they feel deserve extra recognition. The employee of the month then receives an extra day off and a bunch of flowers. This makes staff feel appreciated. Staff well-being is a priority at this setting, resulting in a high level of staff retention. Children benefit from a consistent staff team, with whom they can form strong relationships.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have the necessary knowledge and understanding regarding child protection. Staff at all levels know how to recognise when a child may be in danger or at risk of abuse and know how to act to protect them. Staff conduct regular risk assessments both indoors and outdoors. Preschool children take it in turns to then conduct their own risk assessment outdoors to highlight any hazards. For example, brushing away wet leaves so they do not slip. This supports children to learn about how to keep themselves safe. Management are aware of e-safety regulations and ensure there are suitable controls in place.

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should:

n further develop interactions with children during care practices in order to consistently promote communication and language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY445029 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10235733 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 61 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Storytime Private Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01744 757 999 Date of previous inspection 4 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Storytime Private Day Nursery was registered in 2012. It is situated in St Helens in Merseyside. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualifications at level 6, and twelve members of staff hold qualifications at level 3 or above. There are three apprentices. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round with the exception of bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery had received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the company director and the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n A joint observation was conducted with the nursery manager and the inspector. n The inspector spoke with staff, children and parents at various points during the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the company director and the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation including first aid certificates and DBS records. n The inspector undertook observations in all rooms to look at children's progress and observe the quality of teaching. n The inspector conducted a learning walk to evaluate the impact the curriculum has on children's learning at this setting.

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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

25 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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