Meadow Nursery

Inspection of Meadow Nursery The Bungalow, Old Meadows Lane, BLACKPOOL FY3 9HH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive excitedly and are eager to begin their day at this nursery. They confidently explore the activities that are on offer. Babies laugh with excitement as staff demonstrate how to blow bubbles. Babies then successfully blow their own bubbles for their friends to pop. Toddlers wave scarves around as they jump and dance at singing time. They explore instruments and learn new words such as 'saxophone'. Older children engage for long periods at activities. They follow the rules of a matching game, taking turns and sharing resources.

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The provision is good

Children show pride when they learn how to do things for themselves. Babies begin to feed themselves with a spoon. Older babies help to put away toys. Older children confidently serve their own food and pour their own drinks. They proudly announce, 'I cut it', when they manage to cut up their own food. Children are proud of their achievements and make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy spending time with staff and each other. Babies smile and giggle as staff tickle their nose with puppets. Children are consulted and older children are involved in the planning of their 'graduation' party. Staff gather their views on the food and entertainment for the event. Children show kindness as they pass drinks to each other at mealtimes. When children drop toys, other children quickly offer to help by saying, 'I will pick that up for you.' Staff encourage children to talk about their emotions and feelings. Children say that 'cuddles make them happy'. Children have developed positive and respectful relationships with each other and staff.

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need to do better?

n Leaders focus on helping to close gaps in children's learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes promoting children's communication and language skills. Staff use a range of assessments to help identify any concerns. The special educational needs coordinator makes referrals to other professionals so that children receive the help they need. All children make good progress from their starting points. n Children have opportunities to be physically active both indoors and outdoors. Babies are provided with tummy time to support their physical skills. Older babies are provided with opportunities to crawl and walk. Outdoors, children play energetically as they run, jump and splash in puddles. Children's core strength is developing well. n Parents value the regular updates they receive regarding their children's development and care needs. Staff communicate successfully with parents through daily discussions as well as through an online app. Parents state that

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need to do better?

their children 'love it here'. Parents have noticed progress in their children's communication and language and social skills since they have started attending.

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 n Children are exposed to many opportunities to develop their mathematical understanding. As children make a snowman out of dough, staff use language such as 'smaller' and 'bigger'. As babies build with blocks, staff model counting up to five, and children giggle as the tower topples over. Older children hold five fingers up as they talk about parking their toy car in bay number five. Children are gaining a good understanding of early mathematics. n Children regularly access books. As children read 'Dear Zoo', they shout out 'frog' and find the toy frog as they see that page. Older children talk about authors. They discuss other texts that the author has written. Children benefit from the nursery's lending library, which enables them to share books at home. They also visit the library in the community to explore a wider selection of books. This helps to develop children's love of books further.

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need to do better?

n Children have access to a wide range of enjoyable and exciting activities. However, when children move between activities, routines are not as smooth as they could be. At times, staff do not deploy themselves effectively to ensure children are engaged in good-quality interactions and learning at these times. n Staff state that they feel supported in their roles. They have access to many training and professional development opportunities. Leaders are passionate about their role in supporting staff. However, leaders' monitoring and self- evaluation sometimes lack rigour. Leaders do not monitor staff performance closely enough to be able to identify the targeted support that will improve practice to the highest level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding. They are confident about recognising the possible signs that a child may be at risk and how to report concerns about children's welfare. Staff work well with outside agencies to ensure that families receive the support they need. They understand the procedures for accidents and injuries well. Staff ensure that children are supervised and risk assessments are carried out to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments are suitable. All staff hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. This means there is always someone available to deal with accidents.

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should:

n consider the organisation and deployment of staff for activities and daily routines to further promote children's learning throughout the day n strengthen the structure for monitoring and evaluation to help raise the quality of staff practice to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2634434 Local authority Blackpool Inspection number 10282142 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 85 Number of children on roll 151 Name of registered person MiChild Blackpool Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01253 762731 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Meadow Nursery registered in 2021 and is situated in Blackpool. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three at level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. 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 and manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during lunchtime.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views on the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

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.

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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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