Funtrain Day Nursery

Inspection of Funtrain Day Nursery 9 and 9A Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside CH41 6DL

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at the setting. They enter happily and are quickly engaged in a range of interesting play and learning opportunities. Children are safe and feel safe here. Staff provide a calm, warm and welcoming environment. Older babies love to listen to their favourite stories, such as 'Old MacDonald had a Farm'. They repeatedly ask staff to sing the song to them as they join in. This helps babies to learn the sounds and names of the farm animals. Toddlers persevere at tasks, such as rolling a ball all the way down the zigzag guttering.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff have implemented a more balanced and sequenced curriculum. As a result, children, including those who are funded or with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make sustained and steady progress.

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The provision is good

Children are keen and curious learners. For example, pre-school children work collaboratively together and share their ideas as they create a magnetic tower. Staff know the children well and plan an interesting range of activities that spark the children's interest. Children behave well. This is because staff are positive role models who have high expectations of what the children can achieve.

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need to do better?

n The setting is led by two highly committed managers. Improved management systems ensure that staff receive the right training and support to fulfil their roles. Managers have worked tirelessly to bring about changes in the setting. They have worked in partnership with staff to trial new ideas and different ways of working. For example, they have reorganised the learning environment and introduced interesting resources to help enhance children's curiosity and imagination. n In the main, children are gaining new knowledge and skills that prepare them well for future learning. However, at times, staff do not know what children need to learn and in what order. This does not consistently build on children's capabilities. n Pre-school children are very independent. They confidently put on aprons, pour their own drinks and help to tidy away their toys. However, younger children are not always encouraged to attempt these tasks during their daily routines and

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need to do better?

activities. Consequently, younger children do not have consistent opportunities to practise their independence skills. n There has been a strong emphasis to support the children's communication and language skills. Staff ensure that they use the correct pronunciation of words so that children can develop their language and learn new words. Consequently, children are confident to use new language, such as squish and squeeze, to describe what they are seeing and doing.

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need to do better?

4 April 2023 n Children develop a love of reading. They enjoy reading books with their friends and listening to stories read by staff. Pre-school children enjoy acting out stories, such as 'Superworm', and their enthusiasm for this is infectious. Older babies giggle in delight as they repeat familiar phrases from a favourite story. n Children develop early mathematical skills and an awareness of mathematical language, such as 'more' and 'less than'. Pre-school children confidently count to five and recognise numbers and shapes in the environment. Staff use counting songs to introduce younger children to numbers. This helps them to develop an understanding of mathematics from a young age. n Children develop a sense of self. Staff talk to the younger children about what is happening as they change their nappies. Older children are able to tell staff how they are feeling and why. For example, one child said they were happy because

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need to do better?

they could play the Easter egg game. n Staff are aware of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's emotional health and well-being. They know that some children struggle in certain situations. As a result, staff implement effective strategies to support children by, for example, providing quiet spaces for them to relax. This helps children to settle quickly before they engage in the activities provided. n Staff are positive role models to children. They help children to understand the setting's rules and to learn right from wrong. Children understand why they must use their quiet voices indoors and to share the resources with their friends. n Children are cared for in an inclusive setting that celebrates their individuality. Children with SEND are well supported. This is because staff have a good understanding of their needs. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that children receive continuous support and guidance. Consequently,

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need to do better?

children make sustained and steady progress from their starting points. n Parents are complimentary about the care and support provided to their children. They speak highly of the staff and are delighted with the 'amazing progress' their children have made.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a sound understanding of their responsibilities in keeping children safe. They work in partnership with other agencies to ensure that children and their families get the right support when they need it. Staff have completed training to ensure that their knowledge and skills are current. Staff know what action they would take if they were concerned about a child or the conduct of a colleague. Risk assessments are conducted daily to help ensure that children can play in a safe environment. Effective procedures are in place for the recruitment and induction of new staff. This means children are cared for by suitable staff.

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should:

4 April 2023 n support the staff to firmly embed the new curriculum so that they build on the learning opportunities provided to children n encourage younger children to develop their independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY310371 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10247956 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 45 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Fun Train Day Nursery

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 647 0482 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Funtrain Day Nursery registered in 2005. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds level 2. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. It closes for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector abut how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the managers. n The managers showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the two managers and talked to them about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn.

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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

4 April 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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