Sticky Mits Childcare Centre

Inspection of Sticky Mits Childcare Centre 1-2 Queensgate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 3JN

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children thrive in this welcoming environment, where staff go out of their way to support children and their families. This inclusive setting provides support for many children who speak English as an additional language. Staff use lots of singing and familiar books to introduce new words to children. They learn words from children's home languages to help them to communicate and feel comfortable. Staff communicate well with parents, using interpreters where required. Children have many opportunities to learn about the world around them. They widen their experiences, such as by going on trips to the local market, bus station, train station, library and wildlife park.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have access to high-quality stimulating resources and activities, which staff use to help promote children's learning and development. For example, despite the nursery not having direct access to an outdoor area, children access a dedicated physical room each day. In this space, children ride bicycles, jump, climb and take part in yoga sessions to promote their physical development. The key- person system is effective, and children receive good support and attention. Staff know the children in their care well. This enables them to plan for the next steps for each child's learning effectively. Pre-school children are confident to talk about what they like to do at the setting, such as playing in the water and playing with their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff work well with other professionals to provide support for children with additional communication needs. They help children to understand instructions and develop their language. For example, staff use visual supports, such as gestures, signs, pictures and objects, while saying the word. n Staff know each child's needs well. They build relationships with families and plan individual settling-in programmes to suit each family's needs. Staff get to know children and are alert to any barriers they face. They quickly identify and meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff make sure that the curriculum is engaging and appropriate for each child. They make swift referrals to external agencies in order to help each child receive the support that they need. n Babies develop secure attachments with staff, who are warm and responsive to their needs. Staff sing familiar nursery rhymes to calm, soothe and build their

p.2

need to do better?

language. Children explore their environment. Babies crawl from the climbing frame to the ball pool and select toys along the way. Children demonstrate their trust in the staff when they show interest in visitors. They gradually approach them, looking back to their key person for reassurance. n Children are generally well behaved and play with, or alongside, each other well.

p.2

need to do better?

9 December 2022 For example, children play together independently in the home corner, pretending to cook. They share the pasta and utensils and give their pretend meals to other children. However, staff are not consistent in how they manage children's behaviour. For example, on occasion, staff remove children from an activity after displaying unwanted behaviour, while on another occasion, children are spoken to at great length about their behaviour. At other times, staff do not follow up on children's behaviour. This does not provide a consistent message to children about the behaviour that is expected of them. n Children show good independence skills. They pull up their sleeves and put on their own aprons to play in the water. Children wash their hands independently in preparation for lunch and self-serve their own food. They confidently feed themselves and drink from open-top cups. n Managers work closely with staff to ensure that they receive the right support.

p.2

need to do better?

They place a high priority on staff's training, which is valued by staff. All staff undertake mandatory training as well as other training to support them in their role. Staff talk about feeling supported by managers. They express gratitude for the support from the directors, who are passionate about the setting and the community they serve. n There is a clear, ambitious curriculum in place, which is embedded throughout the nursery. Staff are fully aware that children start the nursery with varied levels of development. They work hard to help children to make progress before starting school. However, some interactions between staff and children do not consistently extend children's learning in all areas. For example, when children hand a toy car to staff, they repeat the word 'car' without extending children's language. n Staff use mathematical language. For example, they count before lifting children

p.3

need to do better?

out of highchairs. Two-year-old children count cars as they send them down the ramp. Pre-school children count pieces of pasta independently as they place them in the pan. They use language, such as 'small', 'big', 'sink' and 'float', when they play in the water.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have safeguarding and care practice arrangements to keep children safe from harm. They receive ongoing safeguarding training. Staff are vigilant and alert to any signs that a child's safety or welfare might be at risk. They are alert to the signs of abuse. Staff have an excellent knowledge of a range of safeguarding issues. Managers ensure that all staff are vetted and are suitable to work with children. They check the ongoing suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

9 December 2022 n ensure that staff use a consistent approach towards managing children's behaviour throughout the setting n provide children with opportunities to extend their learning through quality interactions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY336961 Local authority Doncaster Inspection number 10265279 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 114 Number of children on roll 107 Name of registered person LHD Partners Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01302 768 002 Date of previous inspection 1 June 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Sticky Mits Childcare Centre registered in 2006 and is located in Doncaster. It is open all year round, from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. There are 16 staff employed at the nursery, 15 of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the

p.6

Inspection activities

impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The manager and inspector discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact that this had on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

9 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7