The Meadows Nursery

Inspection of The Meadows Nursery Shirecliffe Community Centre, 349 Shirecliffe Road, Sheffield S5 8XJ

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children play and learn in a positive, caring environment. They build trusting relationships with staff and seek them out for support. Children engage in wide variety of exciting activities, inside and outdoors. The environment has been planned with children's needs and interests in mind. For example, staff noticed that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted on children's physical development and some children were unable to climb steps. They, therefore, purchased low-rise equipment to enable children to work on their balance, core strength and negotiating different heights.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are encouraged to sit and engage in activities for short periods of time. For example, they manipulate malleable materials to strengthen their hand muscles in preparation for mark making. Children listen to stories regularly. Staff use puppets and props to engage children's interests and promote a love of reading. Children develop their understanding of cause and effect, such as they fill and empty containers in the sand and water trays. Children generally behave well.

p.2

The provision is good

There is an ambitious curriculum in place that is designed to give children the knowledge and experiences they need to succeed in life. Staff understand the importance of children being healthy and having good oral hygiene. Children wash their hands at snack time and are provided with a wide variety of healthy foods to choose from. They are encouraged to brush their teeth regularly at nursery. Children enjoy exciting experiences, such as the library bus and a theatre company visiting the nursery.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff work hard to engage parents. Parents express how they feel supported by staff and are kept up to date with their child's development through discussions and the online nursery software. Staff have close links with the local school and ensure that children have a smooth transition. n Staff are skilled identifying children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They are quick to make appropriate referrals to ensure that children receive the support that they require. n Children are not consistently supported to promote their independence. For example, staff take off children's slippers, put on their shoes, put on their coats and wipe their noses. They do not always support children to attempt these skills themselves to build their confidence and self-esteem. n Staff recognise the importance of helping children to develop their communication and language. Staff talk clearly and repeat words slowly to

p.2

need to do better?

promote the correct pronunciation. They add words to extend children's vocabularies and use good questioning. For example, when children make

p.2

need to do better?

14 March 2023 potions from lots of different ingredients, staff ask them open-ended questions about the different types of smells. n Staff know their key children well and what their next steps in learning are. While staff are aware of children's needs and how best to support their development, they do not consistently put identified strategies into practice. For example, a number of children benefit from Makaton, visual prompts and aids. However, all staff do not consistently use these methods to support children. n Managers have a very clear vision for the nursery. They recognise the importance of supporting families, so that they can support their children. For instance, they offer parents a breakfast club each week to support on them on topics, such as children learning through play and healthy eating. Staff also signpost parents to different services for support. n Managers understand the importance of continued professional development for

p.2

need to do better?

staff. Staff have recently completed training to support two-year-old children. They also have the opportunity to self-direct their professional development by requesting training courses. Staff's well-being is a high priority and staff report that they feel fully supported in their role. n Staff promote equality and diversity throughout the nursery. Children learn about many different cultural celebrations. They benefit from visitors from different cultural backgrounds visiting to carry out activities. n Children begin to build a good understanding of their emotions. Staff use a range of picture cards which are displayed showing different emotions and a mirror, so that children can see their own expressions and relate these to how they are feeling.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers and staff understand the signs and indicators of abuse. They are clear on the steps they would take if they suspected a child is at risk of harm. Staff have a good understanding of local authority procedures and a range of safeguarding issues, such as county lines and the 'Prevent' duty. Staff have a clear understanding of the actions they should take if they have concerns about a member of staff. The manager ensures that staff have an up-to-date safeguarding knowledge during regular supervisions. The setting is safe and secure with appropriate risk assessments in place.

p.3

should:

n promote children's independence in order to build their confidence and self- esteem n use consistent methods of communication with children who need extra support

p.3

should:

14 March 2023 in their speech and language development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2629561 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10281043 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Sheffield Hallam University

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07765743321 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The Meadows Nursery registered in 2021 and is located in Sheffield. The nursery was set up in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, Watercliffe Meadow Primary School, Sheffield City Council and Save the Children UK. It provides care for children aged between two years and four years, focusing mainly on providing care for two-year-old children who receive early years funding. The nursery also offers early funded education for children aged three and four years. There are seven childcare staff, who are all trained to level 3 or above.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. 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 communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language

p.6

Inspection activities

activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

14 March 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.

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