Curious Learners Childcare

Inspection of Curious Learners Childcare The Farm House Bodiam Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8BE

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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 enter the nursery with confidence and readily approach staff to share their news, showing they feel safe and secure. Even the youngest and newest children settle quickly with their special adult, who knows their routines and individual needs very well. Children eagerly join in with the activities and concentrate well, showing a positive attitude towards their learning. Younger children learn mathematical language from staff, such as 'big', 'small' and 'full'. Older children name shapes, such as 'hexagon', count objects confidently, solve simple addition and recognise numerals.

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The provision is good

The manager has a clear intent for the curriculum. She knows what knowledge and skills she wants the children to learn to prepare them for their moves through the nursery and on to school. Any possible gaps in learning are identified quickly and additional support put in place to help children catch up. All children, including children who speak English as an additional language and children who receive additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Additional funding is used well to help close any gaps in learning and children catch up, particularly with their social skills and communication and language.

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The provision is good

Children develop good levels of independence. Young children feed themselves, drink from open cups and blow their own noses. Older children put on their own shoes, go to the toilet independently and wash their hands. This helps children prepare for their move to the next room or to school.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children's behaviour well. They help older children to understand their feelings and how manage these appropriately. Children learn about the consequences of their actions on others. Younger children are offered specific activities to support them to learn to share and take turns, such as rolling and throwing a ball to one and other. n Parents report that they are very happy with the progress their children are making at nursery. They say that communication between staff and parents is positive. Parents particularly enjoy the stay-and-play sessions and report that these mean they feel involved in their children's play and learning at nursery. n Staff report that they feel supported well by the manager. They have regular meetings with her, and she gives them feedback on their performance. Staff have attended training and now know what local agencies are in place to support children. They are better informed about where to signpost families for

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need to do better?

additional support and how to get advice about their own practice. n Children develop a positive attitude towards fresh air and exercise. For example, they ride the tricycles, climb up the ladders and slide down the slide. Young

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need to do better?

23 June 2023 babies have plenty of tummy time to develop their core strength. Older children work cooperatively on a three-seated bike to move around the outdoor area and negotiate space well. Staff are skilled in helping young children learn the skills they need to ride the tricycles. They teach children how to push the pedals and steer with the handles so they ride out of the way of obstacles. n Staff promote children's communication and language skills well, overall. They repeat simple words, narrate what young children are doing and encourage all children to join in with songs. Older children engage in conversations, both in their home language and English, adapting this depending on who they are talking to or playing with. However, at times, staff do not teach older children to listen to others and take turns in conversations when in a large group. This means that, at times, quieter children go unheard.

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need to do better?

n Children show they are developing a love of books and they independently select these, turn the pages and look at and talk about the pictures. However, some group story times are disrupted when staff encourage children to take turns to go and wash their hands, meaning they lose out on important learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a thorough knowledge of child protection and safeguarding issues. Staff are confident in their knowledge of who they can contact when they have safeguarding concerns about children or their colleagues. The manager keeps detailed records and attends meetings to monitor any concerns about children's welfare. Recruitment procedures are robust and help ensure that adults caring for children are suitable to do so. The manager checks staff's ongoing suitability. Staff check the premises daily to minimise risks to children's safety and make sure that the youngest children are in safe spaces and well supervised.

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should:

n increase opportunities for older children to develop their listening skills and take turns in conversations in large-group activities n help staff understand the importance of story time as part of the curriculum, for all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2734234 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10300010 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 37 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Curious Learners Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01793976070 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Curious Learners Childcare re-registered in April 2023. It operates from a converted farmhouse in Toothill, West Swindon. It operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. Six members of staff, including the owner and manager, work with the children. Five members of staff are qualified at level 3 or above, including two at level 7, and one is unqualified. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children told the inspector what they like doing at nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

23 June 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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