Smart Bridge Nursery

Inspection of Smart Bridge Nursery 48 Smith Street, Birmingham B19 3EN

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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 are settled, happy and content in this nursery. They build close relationships with staff, who are caring, calm and sensitive to their individual needs. Babies cuddle with their key person as they explore the sensory activities available at low level. Toddlers play alongside adults as they splash in the water tray, looking to them for reassurance. Older children listen to their friends as they take turns to tell others what they have been doing over the weekend.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide range of play experiences which help them learn across all areas of development. They access a well-planned environment that supports choice. Furthermore, the routine gives them time to play, explore and become involved and focused in their play. Calm staff interact well as children play. They nurture children's learning as they ask open-ended questions and comment on what children are doing. For example, as children mix water into flour to make play dough, staff ask, 'What do we need to do? It's wet. How can we make it more like play dough?'

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The provision is good

Staff nurture a love of reading and singing because they read stories with enthusiasm and confidently sing songs. Children join in, stamping their feet and clapping their hands, as everyone sings 'If You're Happy and You Know It'. Toddlers spend time sitting in the cosy corner looking at the pictures in a favourite storybook. Babies crawl over to the books laid out for them on the carpet and touch the shiny paper on the cover of a board book.

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need to do better?

n The owner of this nursery, who is also the manager, is passionate about her vision for the children who attend. She and her team are dedicated to providing a high-quality and inclusive provision. The vision for children to be confident and independent and to learn and enjoy is threaded through everything that the team does. Staff continue to embed an ambitious curriculum and have high expectations for children's achievements. n The owner supports her staff very well. She is kind, sensitive and very attune to their well-being and professional development needs. Staff have regular opportunities to share ideas, thoughts and issues, for example through weekly briefings, monthly staff meetings and informal discussions. n Staff access a wide range of training to help them improve their teaching. They are motivated to develop their knowledge and understanding of their role in supporting children's learning. There is scope to build on the good teaching

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need to do better?

already in place, to consistently challenge children further so that they make even better progress. n Communication and language development is of high priority in this nursery. All

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need to do better?

22 May 2023 children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are expertly supported. This is because staff make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for children to hear and speak English. Staff focus on closing any gaps in learning and support children to make good progress from their starting points. n Partnerships with parents are strong, which helps to ensure that children's needs are met. Parents say that they are very happy with the good level of communication they receive on a daily basis. They appreciate the detailed information they receive about their child's development and the tips for supporting learning at home. They comment that their children are very happy to attend the nursery and that staff are caring and sensitive. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to complete referrals and

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need to do better?

put focused plans in place to encourage development. Extra funding is used to ensure that children's individual needs are met. n The owner and her staff provide good opportunities for children to learn about the diverse community in which they live. They take the children out to the local park, visit nearby shops and go for walks in the neighbourhood. They recognise they are very much an integral part of their community and continue to strengthen this aspect of their provision. n Children's small-muscle skills are encouraged as they use plastic tweezers to push jelly squares into different-sized circular shapes. All children enjoy crawling through a play tunnel, rocking on a small rocking horse and pedalling small wheeled toys in the outdoor space. However, older and most-able children do not have enough opportunities outdoors for more-challenging physical activity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The owner and staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. They know the correct procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. Staff are confident in their understanding of wider aspects of safeguarding, such as the 'Prevent' duty. All staff access safeguarding training to ensure that their knowledge remains up to date. Robust recruitment, induction and supervision procedures help to ensure that staff are suitable to care for children. Staff are deployed effectively, and they supervise children calmly. They ensure that the environment is safe and secure for children by carrying out regular checks and risk assessments.

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should:

22 May 2023 n support older children's physical development by regularly providing ambitious and more-challenging experiences outdoors n build on the good teaching already in place, to consistently challenge children further and help them make even better progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2624234 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10281087 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 21 Name of registered person Smart Bridge Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07943519976 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Bridge Nursery registered in 2021. The nursery employs six members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. Before- and after-school sessions are offered.

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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 had a learning walk with the owner and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation and held a meeting with the owner. n The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at a selection of documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children.

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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

22 May 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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