Choo Choo's Day Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Choo Choo's Day Nursery and Preschool Rear of 11/12, St Andrews Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 7BW

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happy and are keen to get into nursery to play. The friendly and welcoming staff greet children and help them to settle quickly into their chosen activity. Children form secure relationships with their key persons and the other staff working in the nursery. The members of the strong staff team have high expectations for children. They praise children and encourage them to learn through exploring. Older children confidently make their own choices about where they would like to play. They benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise. Older children cooperate with their peers and staff as they learn to use the hoops to spin around their waists and giggle as they try to catch the balls with Velcro bats. Younger children benefit from exploring different textures as they play. They develop their physical skills as they scoop and pour ingredients. Children behave well. They learn to share and take turns with the resources and become

p.2

The provision is good

independent at meeting their own needs. Children develop nice friendships within the nursery. They play together with their friends and include each other in their games.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have high expectations for what they want children to achieve. They monitor children's progress and provide a curriculum that is ambitious and uses children's interests to engage them in learning. Leaders provide staff with support and supervisions. Regular staff meetings help to inform staff training and professional development. n Parents are very happy with the care that their children receive. They say that the staff are welcoming and supportive. Parents say that staff work closely with them to get to know their children so that they feel secure. Parents say that staff help with managing children's behaviour and support them with toilet training. n Leaders reflect on their environment and consider how it supports children's learning. They have made a lot of changes to the nursery and the resources that are available to children. For instance, the entrance hall has been made more of

p.2

need to do better?

a natural calming environment to help children to feel calm and settled when they arrive. Staff reflect that this has had a positive impact on children as they arrive at nursery. n Leaders recognise the impact that the cost of living is having on parents. Therefore, they encourage the use of recycled resources for children to play with. Children enjoy using real-life resources in their play, such as a blender, kettles and milk bottles. This supports their imaginary play and allows them to explore objects that they see at home. n Staff provide a good range of interesting activities to spark children's curiosity and motivate them to be involved. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy

p.2

need to do better?

24 February 2023 making their own 'chocolate pancakes' in the pancake kitchen. They immerse themselves in making their own creations. Children practise mixing, pouring and squeezing the ingredients into their bowls, and staff facilitate this well. However, staff do not consider how they can organise the adult-led activities and group times, so that all children can achieve the same levels of focus and engagement. At times, children become distracted and lose interest, and they miss out on planned learning opportunities. n Staff speak clearly and listen to children, to further their language skills. Leaders and staff provide support to help children who have delays in their development. For instance, they put plans in place and refer them to other professionals to access further support. However, leaders and staff do not consider how to help children who have limited verbal communication skills to express their wants and

p.2

need to do better?

needs. As a result children get frustrated and struggle to communicate their needs with staff. n Children develop an interest in books and stories. They choose to use the reading nook in the garden as they snuggle into staff to look at books and to share stories. Staff link books to the children's learning, using them alongside activities to follow children's interest and to extend their understanding of literacy.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders recognise their responsibilities to keep children safe. They implement robust procedures to recruit and monitor the suitability of the staff working with children. Leaders ensure that staff have a good understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures. Staff take part in regular training and review procedures on a regular basis. They suitably understand how to monitor children's well-being and are aware of how to act on any concerns that they have about children's welfare. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe, and carry out risk assessments of the environment. Children take part in first-aid sessions where they learn to apply basic first aid.

p.3

should:

n develop strategies to support the children who have delays in their language development to communicate their wants and needs n review the organisation of adult-led activities to ensure that all children are able to focus and be involved.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY457194 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10276927 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 47 Number of children on roll 84 Name of registered person RAEF Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01823252264 Date of previous inspection 18 July 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Choo Choo's Day Nursery and Preschool registered in 2013. It is situated in North Taunton, Somerset. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 11 members of staff employed to work with the children. Of these, one holds early years teacher status, seven are qualified at level 3, and one has a qualification at level 2.

p.4

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 managers joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 of an adult-led activity. n The inspector sampled some documentation.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6