Little Bam Bams Curiosity Village

Inspection of Little Bam Bams Curiosity Village Unit 6 Newton House, Second Avenue, Pensnett Trading Estate, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 7YE

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of the experiences that children receive at this nursery are variable. Babies, younger children and pre-school children enjoy activities and are eager to take part. However, space in the pre-school room is limited. Children aged between two and three years are less enthusiastic and staff interaction in this room is poor. They do not involve themselves in children's play. Activities are sparse and there is little for children to choose from as resources are often stored where children cannot reach them. This results in them wandering aimlessly or running around with no specific purpose. Furthermore, children's good health is not consistently promoted, especially at lunchtime.

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The provision requires improvement

Babies and younger children play alongside each other. They scoop leaves into wheelbarrows and carefully push them along the path. Pre-school children begin to talk about their emotions and learn to share and take turns. Children who are less confident or who have separation issues are supported by staff, who are kind and attentive to their individual needs.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children's individual care needs and daily routines are supported well. Staff recognise when babies and younger children need to sleep. Newly implemented nappy changing routines are stringently reviewed to ensure that children's personal needs are effectively adhered to.

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need to do better?

n There have been recent changes to the management and staffing structure. The manager, who was previously the deputy manager, is confident and experienced. She has a clear vision for change and can recognise the practice that needs to improve. She has worked closely with staff to identify areas for change and is determined to involve them fully in the 'improvement journey'. She has already begun to implement significant changes in a short time. However, these are still in their infancy and are not yet fully embedded into practice to ensure quality continues to improve. n Staff talk positively about the changes the new manager has implemented. They say that they now feel more motivated and supported to carry out their role. However, regular supervision meetings are not yet in place to ensure continual improvement. Although staff attend some training, this does not focus on raising the quality of learning experiences children receive.

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need to do better?

n The organisation of the pre-school room and the room for children aged two to three years does not enable them to easily select resources for themselves and follow their interests. Pre-school children have limited space to play, especially when there are table-top activities set out. The space outdoors is a work in progress. There are currently few resources for children to play with. However,

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need to do better?

16 February 2023 the manager has plans to refurbish the outside area to provide resources that will cover all areas of learning. That said, children do take part in physical activities outside. Pre-school children balance on tyres and planks with dexterity. n Hygiene practices in the room for children aged two to three years are not good enough. Staff do not wipe the table between courses. Consequently, children eat cold vegetables off the table at the same time as they eat their pudding. In addition, staff do not foster children's independence or demonstrate how to use utensils correctly. They chop children's food using just a fork and leave chunks of food that are too big for children to eat. As a result, children spear their food and eat it like a lollipop. n Pre-school children thoroughly enjoy dough disco. Staff introduce words and actions for children to copy. Children skilfully squeeze, roll, and twist the play

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need to do better?

dough. This helps to develop fine-muscle movement and early writing skills. They talk about how they feel, and staff encourage them to make faces in the dough to represent their emotions. n Comments from parents are mixed. Most parents are happy with the care their children receive and are complimentary about the changes that the manager has already made. The manager has plans to introduce additional ways to involve parents in the nursery and to share information about their children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff attend safeguarding training. They can recognise the signs that may indicate a child is being abused or neglected. They know the procedures to follow if they have a concern about a child or a member of staff. The premises are safe, secure and clean. Security procedures are robust. The manager is diligent in checking the identification of any visitors before allowing them onto the premises. Stringent recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that every person working with the children is safe and suitable to do so.

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Due date

implement appropriate arrangements for the supervision of all staff, including the manager, to provide support and coaching to improve their personal effectiveness 24/03/2023

p.3

Due date

16 February 2023 support staff to undertake appropriate training and professional development opportunities to ensure they offer quality learning and development experiences for children that continually improves 24/03/2023

p.3

Due date

plan challenging and enjoyable experiences for children, more specifically for those aged between two and three years, that consider their individual needs, interest, and stage of development. 24/03/2023

p.4

should:

n embed and monitor the newly implemented changes to ensure practice continually improves n organise the environment more effectively to enable children to have more space to explore and make choices in their play n promote good hygiene practices, especially at mealtimes, for those children aged between two and three years.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2635211 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10277166 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 38 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Little Bam Bams Curiosity Village Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07833289488 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Little Bam Bams Curiosity Village registered in 2021. It operates from a unit on the Pensnett Trading Estate in Kingswinford. A team of 13 staff are employed to work with the children. Of these, 11 are qualified from level 2 to level 6 and two are working towards a qualification. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6pm. Funded early education is provided for two-, 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 provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

16 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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