Swan Meadow Private Day Nursery

Inspection of Swan Meadow Private Day Nursery Church Street, Delph, Oldham OL3 5DR

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this exemplary village nursery. Highly motivated staff and leaders provide exciting opportunities to support learning and development. Children start the day with 'shared thinking time', where they recall previous learning. Children are given the task to 'wonder' about the world around them. For example, in pre- school, they share their knowledge of dinosaurs. They explore how fossils are created by making models from dough and imprinting them with shells and other materials. Babies laugh, smile, gurgle and vocalise to their favourite rhymes. They dance and join in with some of the actions. Children in the toddler rooms enjoy a 'bedtime story' before they settle for their nap. The nature trail gives children many opportunities to explore nature and the changing seasons.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have excellent relationships with their key person, who know them well. Staff plan innovative activities that meet children's specific needs and interests. As such, children engage in activities for a sustained period of time. Staff have high expectations for children, and behaviour is exceptional. Children are polite and respectful towards their friends, reminding them when it is their turn. Staff use non-verbal signals and songs to alert children to new activities or routines, such as tidy-up time.

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need to do better?

n Staff implement an exceptional, progressive curriculum. The depth of teaching and expectation increases as children move through the rooms. Staff carefully track children's progress to ensure they are meeting their developmental milestones. This enables them to identify any gaps in their learning. Consequently, all children make excellent progress across all areas. n Before children transition between rooms, staff expertly focus on their 'ambitions for transition', which focuses on what they want the children to know to prepare them for the next stage in their learning. For example, in preparation for toddler room, babies will develop their physical skills to sit at the table and to feed themselves more confidently. As such, children have a secure foundation on which to build future learning. n Staff engage in high-quality interactions with children of all ages. From early babbles to more fluent speech, staff model the art of conversation. Older

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need to do better?

children learn new vocabulary linked to their learning by using the 'word rap'. For example, children learn the meaning of the words 'carnivore' and 'herbivore' when exploring their dinosaur topic. Consequently, children become familiar with the word and its meaning. n Leaders and staff encourage children to be physically active. Regular physical education sessions teach children about their bodies and how they move. Older children also learn the names of muscles and body parts, such as biceps and

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need to do better?

8 February 2023 triceps, and where their abdominals are. As such, children have respect for their body and enjoy developing their physical skills. n Leaders utilise opportunities within the local area when planning experiences. For example, children visit the park and local allotments, where villagers show the children what they are growing, bringing them food to eat at snack time. Children visit the local residential home, where they listen to the brass band with the residents. Consequently, children learn about real-life experiences, which adds exceptional value to their learning. n Staff skilfully use fantasy characters, such as dragons, to encourage children's creativity and imagination. Children in the pre-school room enjoy listening to made-up stories. Staff pose questions and encourage their ideas to keep the story going, using favourite characters and features of the local environment to really bring their stories to life. As such, children learn the format of storytelling

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need to do better?

and develop the necessary literacy skills to become readers. n Partnership with parents is exemplary. Leaders offer strong links between the setting and home, keeping parents informed of the next steps in their child's learning. Stay-and-play sessions model the setting's approach to literacy and mathematics and why these are important. Therefore, parents can continue to support their child's learning and development at home. n Leaders offer staff innovative opportunities to explore new ideas. They disseminate training effectively to all staff and support them in refining their provision and practice accordingly. This empowers staff to deeply consider children's unique interests and skills. Consequently, children engage, play and learn in precisely planned environments, which enhances their inspiration, imagination and creativity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff are confident in their responsibilities in relation to keeping children safe. They clearly identify signs and symptoms of abuse and know who to go to if they have concerns about a child. Thorough recruitment and induction procedures ensure that staff are suitable for the role. Children's safety and security in the setting are paramount. For example, entry to the site is via thumbprint access or key pads on internal doors. Rigorous risk assessments and regular reviews of accident forms ensure children are kept safe in the setting. High priority is given to cleanliness and hygiene, with children quickly learning about germs and handwashing.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY449437 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10264487 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 110 Number of children on roll 136 Name of registered person Swan Meadow Private Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01457829300 Date of previous inspection 16 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Swan Meadow Private Day Nursery Limited registered in 2003. It is situated in the Delph area of Oldham. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The provider receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 31 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery receives support from the local authority and has links with local schools.

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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 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 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/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff, the childminder and children. n Parents shared their views of the setting 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

8 February 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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