South Lee Day Nursery Baby Room

Inspection of South Lee Day Nursery Baby Room South Lee School, Nowton Road, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 2BT

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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 develop strong bonds with their key persons. They arrive and settle into nursery well. Staff use their knowledge of babies' likes and dislikes to help comfort babies who may arrive unsettled. They follow children's routines from home, such as nap times. This consistency helps babies to feel secure and comfortable in their surroundings.

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The provision is good

New babies who are transitioning into nursery are well supported. Parents stay for some of their sessions and babies learn that when their parents leave, they also return later. Any babies who would arrive upset when they first started, now arrive smiling and are happy to come into nursery.

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The provision is good

Over time, children develop positive relationships with staff and other babies. They enjoy playing and exploring both on their own and with their peers. Babies who are learning to walk make good progress. Staff encourage them to stand for longer periods of time and with greater stability. They plan the environment to support babies' developing mobility. Through games such as 'peekaboo' in the playhouse or 'cooking' in the home corner, babies build their strength and coordination. They pull themselves up and smile with delight at their efforts and from the praise of staff.

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need to do better?

n Staff prioritise supporting babies to develop their communication skills. They sing in soothing tones which helps to settle any upset children. Staff also sing songs and nursery rhymes throughout the session which the babies enjoy joining in with. n Staff teach babies of different ages and abilities effectively, during activities they provide. For example, babies enjoy exploring the spring-themed tray that staff have set up. While some babies are learning the sounds animals make, older babies learn how to use Makaton and the signs for different farm animals such as 'pig' and 'sheep'. n Leaders and managers reflect on both staff practice and the nursery environment. This leads to positive changes, such as the opening up of space to create more room for children to develop their play. n Staff support children to develop healthy lifestyles. They clean their hands before they eat and provide fresh fruit and drinks for snack. However, the

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need to do better?

organisation of snack time means babies can be sitting for long periods. Their individual needs are not considered, as some babies tire and become unsettled waiting for their nap time. n Staff read books with babies regularly. However, on occasions, books are shared at times that are not always appropriate. For example, at the end of snack time

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need to do better?

13 April 2023 when the babies have been sitting still for long periods and, at times, when other staff are busy chatting around the same area and noise levels are quite high. This can make it hard for babies to engage with the story and develop a love of reading and books. n The ethos of the setting is to use 'in the moment planning', which they describe as enabling children to follow their interests and ideas. Staff have a good understanding of what their key children need to learn next and how to support this. Using children's current interests helps keep them engaged. Staff also plan topics for the week. These supplement children's learning with events that are happening in the wider world. For example, cultural celebrations and the seasons of the year. n Babies are able to choose what they play with. They can self-select puzzles and toys from low-level storage. This supports their ability to make independent

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need to do better?

choices and have autonomy over their play. n Staff regularly track children's development. This helps them to identify children who are making less progress in their learning. They involve parents throughout and seek to understand how children are developing at home. Staff are proactive in accessing early help. They are quick to seek out courses that will help support children in the achievement of their goals. n Partnerships with parents are strong. They comment on how supportive staff are and how well they know their children individually. Parents feel the care given is exemplary. They are very happy with the nursery, and like that siblings get to see each other at points in the day. Parents learn about their children's day and progress through a combination of updates through an online app and verbal feedback at drop-off and collection times.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their duties to protect children from harm. They have a good understanding of the indicators that a child may be at risk of harm. This includes the broader aspects of safeguarding, such as female genital mutilation. Staff risk assess the environment and resources to ensure they are safe for children. They maintain accurate records of children's attendance and are prompt to follow up on children who have not arrived for their session. Leaders follow robust recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n improve the organisation of snack time to support children's individual needs n support staff to deliver story times more effectively to ensure that children can engage and develop a love of books and reading.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2623216 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10281078 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 15 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person South Lee School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01284 754654 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

South Lee Day Nursery Baby Room registered in 2021. It is located in the school grounds of South Lee Prep School in Bury St Edmunds. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Six members of staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The setting operates closely with the nursery provision based at the host school.

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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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

13 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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