Bright Sparks Children's Centre LTD

Inspection of Bright Sparks Children's Centre LTD Mount Carmel Church, 71 Stott Close, PLYMOUTH, Devon PL3 6HA

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children confidently and happily enter the centre, where staff greet them warmly. All children make good progress in their development, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff ensure that the curriculum meets children's individual needs and interests. Older babies enjoy rolling a ball to staff. Staff use clear and simple language to encourage them to learn words associated with actions, such as 'roll'. Toddlers enjoy using toy diggers to scoop up the soil in the outside area. Pre-school children carefully thread cereal onto pieces of rope. All children develop good hand-eye coordination skills.

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The provision is good

Children have a positive attitude to learning and behave well. They understand the expectations of the centre and follow routines. Staff use pictures and signing to help younger children and those with SEND understand the centre's rules, such as 'walking feet', listening ears' and 'looking eyes'. Staff use real objects to help children understand what will happen now and what will happen next. For example, children know when it is time for them to be changed when staff show them a nappy. Children respond well to this strategy and cooperate with care practices.

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need to do better?

n The owner, trainee manager and staff have made improvements since the last inspection. They have referred children with SEND to outside agencies to ensure they receive essential support to help close gaps in their learning. Staff ensure they plan activities to help children make strong progress. For instance, they have created a 'cosy corner', where children can go to relax and manage their emotions. Staff help children learn about their feelings using age-appropriate resources, such as puppets. Staff teach children mindfulness techniques and encourage children to take part in yoga activities to support their emotional well- being. n The self-evaluation process is effective. Leaders and staff work collaboratively to identify areas to develop to benefit children. Plans to take children on outings and to work with the local community, such as the police and fire department, are underway. Upcoming weekend support groups for families will provide

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need to do better?

opportunities for parents and staff to work more closely together. n Parents comment on how their children have progressed since they started at the centre. They state that staff do their utmost to support them and their child. For example, staff provide children with healthy 'food platters' as an ongoing activity to encourage all children to try new tastes and textures. Children show a willingness to explore new flavours, and staff share this information with parents so they can provide these at home too. n Children have a good understanding of oral hygiene. Staff encourage children to

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need to do better?

2 December 2022 brush their teeth after meals. They use a 'dental tooth model' to demonstrate to children how to brush correctly. Children observe a sand timer, which indicates how long they need to brush for. Older children talk about how they need to remove all the food from their teeth to keep them healthy. n Staff help toddlers and pre-school children to learn about nature, such as types of trees and wildlife. Children enjoy making bird feeders outside and talk about where to hang them. However, staff do not always help children to recall past knowledge, to build on what they already know in order to extend their overall development. n Children have good opportunities to be creative. They squirt paint from soap dispensers to create pictures and hang these up to dry. Children use natural resources, such as pine cones and wood, to create their own 'miniature world', which supports their imagination skills.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy being independent. Outside, toddlers fill up toy dumper trucks with cereal and relish in tipping them out again. Pre-school children persevere when trying new activities. Occasionally, staff quickly provide solutions to problems before the children have an opportunity to work out the answer for themselves. n Children and staff have formed positive relationships. Babies snuggle into staff for cuddles and comfort. They feel secure in the nurturing arms of their key person. Toddlers and older children show confidence in asking staff for help when needed and enjoy the company of adults and peers alike.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Risk assessments help staff to identify and minimise any potential hazards so that children have a safe play environment. All staff have a good understanding of child protection. They know to report any concerns they may have about children's welfare to the owner or trainee manager. Staff also know they can contact external agencies, such as local safeguarding partners, should they have concerns about staff suitability. The owner carries out safer recruitment procedures to ensure that all new staff have the necessary checks and experience to work with children.

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should:

n provide further opportunities to help children recall prior knowledge, to build on what they already know and can do n enhance children's thinking skills to enable them to solve problems independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY411404 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10230911 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 55 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Bright Sparks Childrens Centre Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 225115 Date of previous inspection 16 February 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Sparks Children's Centre Ltd registered in 2004. It operates from rooms within Mount Carmel Church, in Efford, Plymouth. It is open Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. There are five members of staff who work with the children, three of whom hold qualifications at level 5 and 6. The nursery receives free early years funding for children aged two and three years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The trainee manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector completed a joint observation of a group activity with the owner. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 Parents and children shared their views of the centre with the inspector.

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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

2 December 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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