Smarties Nursery and Pre-school

Inspection of Smarties Nursery and Pre-school Donnington, Station Approach, Wirral CH47 8XA

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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

Staff create a calm, friendly and nurturing environment at this nursery. Children are happy and settled and thoroughly enjoy spending time here. Staff have formed positive bonds with children. They provide babies with plenty of cuddles when they seek reassurance. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure here. Staff have high expectations of all children. They teach children to be kind and considerate to others. Children listen attentively to staff's instructions and follow them well. Staff praise children for their excellent listening skills. This helps to build up their self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. They play harmoniously together sharing the toys and resources. Babies giggle with glee as they make bubbles in the water tray. They become immersed in learning as they explore how to make the glow sticks light up. Older children confidently name different continents on the world map. They discover which animals are found in each continent and discuss special qualities about each animal. Older children thoroughly enjoy their weekly Spanish lessons. They confidently greet each other and identify a range of colours in Spanish. Children learn a range of festivals including those that they celebrate in Spain. These opportunities help children gain a deeper understanding of the wider world. Children make good progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The management team have created a broad and balanced curriculum. Staff plan activities that follow children's interests and build on what they already know and can do. Children are excited and motivated to learn. They gain a thirst for learning from an early age. Children excitedly talk about their recent trip to the coffee shop where they ordered and paid for their own drinks. These opportunities help children make good progress in their learning. n Communication and language is promoted well. Children's joyful singing permeates throughout the nursery. Toddlers excitedly join in with action songs. Children gain a love of books from an early age. Babies turn pages and enjoy looking at books independently. Staff read stories to children enthusiastically and with plenty of expression. They get on children's level as they play together. This helps children make good progress with their communication skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan copious opportunities to support children's growing independence. Toddlers pour their own drinks and feed themselves with cutlery at lunchtime. Older children put their own shoes and coats on. They pass their friends the different vegetable bowls during lunch time as they prepare their own healthy wraps. This helps to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. n Parents are thrilled with the education and care provided for their children. They are thankful for the good communication links with the setting. Staff work in

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need to do better?

10 January 2023 partnership with parents to suggest ways they can support their children's progress at home. This helps to provide consistency in children's learning. n Children have lots of opportunities to practise and develop their early writing skills. Young children make marks with paints. Toddlers observe their reflections in mirrors and draw self-portraits. Older children confidently write their name on their drawings. They squeeze, flatten and roll the play dough in their 'dough disco' session. Children use tongs to serve their own food at lunchtime. This helps to strengthen children's small-muscle movements in preparation for early writing. n Managers evaluate the effectiveness of the nursery. They incorporate the views of both children and parents in their evaluation. Staff access courses to keep their knowledge updated. However, current supervision arrangements do not always focus on raising the teaching and learning to the highest level. Therefore,

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need to do better?

staff do not always have a clear understanding of how they can continue to improve their practice. n Physical development is promoted well. Older children ride bikes around the outdoor area. Children practise balancing and jumping skills in their daily physical-exercise session. Staff take children on walks around the local area and to nearby parks. This helps to promote children's large-muscle movements. n Staff teach children how to cross roads safely when they go on their trips out. Furthermore, they ensure children are well supervised when using the internet at nursery. However, staff have not considered how to teach children about keeping themselves safe when online outside of the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good safeguarding knowledge. They are alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to refer any concerns they may have about a child's welfare. Staff understand their duty to be vigilant to possible indicators that a child or family may be at risk of being drawn into extremist behaviours. The premises are safe and secure. All risks to children are identified and minimised. A robust recruitment and induction process is in place, and all staff attend safeguarding training to keep their knowledge current. Staff conduct regular fire evacuation drills with children.

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should:

n explore ways to help children to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe when online outside of the nursery n strengthen supervision arrangements, so staff have clear targets to support and improve the quality of their practice to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY492474 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10263690 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 33 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person COZY DAY NURSERIES LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 792 9762 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Smarties Nursery and Pre-school registered in 2015. It operates from Meols, Wirral. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round from 7.15am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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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 setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector and the manager carried out a learning walk together. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation.

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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

10 January 2023 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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