The Milky Way Day Nursery

Inspection of The Milky Way Day Nursery 68 Corporation Road, Leicester, Leicestershire LE4 5PW

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Staff create a warm and inclusive environment, where all children and families feel welcome and respected. Staff respond sensitively to children's differing needs. Their patience and soothing words help children to feel safe, and this gives them the security to be themselves and to explore freely. This means that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, thrive and make progress. Staff know the children well and carefully observe and note children's interests and developmental needs. This enables staff to provide a stimulating and relevant curriculum, which builds on children's skills and helps them to move on in their learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff ensure that all children have regular opportunities to explore and play outside. This has a positive impact on children's health and well-being and gives them a wide variety of opportunities to practise and develop their physical skills. For example, babies delight in swirling and splashing their hands in the water tray. Older children skilfully negotiate their way around a marked road using trikes and scooters. They learn to share and take turns with play equipment, gently guided by attentive staff. Staff consistently reinforce clear boundaries, which helps to promote positive behaviour throughout the nursery. This is reflected in the way children show kindness and affection for each other.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team and staff have worked hard to implement changes and improve practice since the last inspection. The manager welcomed support from an early years adviser and reviewed the quality of provision in each room. This has helped to ensure children's safety when sleeping and to support staff in promoting children's learning and development through effective interactions. n The management team has effective strategies in place to offer continuous support to staff. Regular supervision meetings provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify any training needs linked to areas for development. The manager is a good role model, and staff comment that they feel valued. n Children are motivated to learn and persevere when faced with more challenging tasks. For example, children carefully work out how to place dressing-up clothes on hangers. However, on occasion, staff in the pre-school plan activities that do

p.2

need to do better?

not build on children's previous learning. This means that children lack engagement and do not have the appropriate skills or understanding to complete the task. n Staff build on children's life experiences in meaningful ways. For example, children enjoyed a walk around the local community to see a space rocket. For

p.2

need to do better?

6 July 2023 some children, this helped to develop their physical strength and stamina. For others, it provided an exciting opportunity to enrich their vocabulary by hearing and using a wide variety of space-related words. n Staff encourage children's interest in books by regularly reading to them and planning activities around a favourite picture book. Older children engage enthusiastically during group story time. They show their understanding of the text by offering relevant comments. For example, when a member of staff explains what the intestine is, children study the book with interest and comment that 'it looks like a tube to carry the food'. However, group story times do not actively engage all the children in the 'Stars room'. n Staff work closely with parents to gather relevant information about children's interests, care needs and developmental stages. This helps staff to provide appropriate support, especially for children with SEND. Parents say that staff

p.2

need to do better?

help to prepare children well for school and that they receive regular information, including how they can support learning at home. n Staff interact well with children during their play and activities. They ask questions and model language to support children's communication skills. Staff respond warmly to babies, following their lead and initiating games such as peekaboo, making the babies giggle with delight. They talk continually to babies, repeating key words slowly and clearly. Opportunities to further support babies' social and communication skills are not fully utilised at mealtimes.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The management team implements thorough vetting procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. Trainee practitioners and new staff receive detailed induction training when they start to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the setting's policies and procedures. Staff have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and understand how to report concerns. They develop their knowledge of local safeguarding concerns, such as online safety and county lines, through regular training opportunities. Most staff hold paediatric first-aid qualifications and know how to respond swiftly to accidents. Staff take appropriate action to make sure the environment is safe and secure in all areas.

p.3

should:

n consider how books can be shared more effectively with children after lunch in the Stars room, to support all children to participate and gain the most from the activity n review the organisation of mealtimes in the baby room so children receive high-

p.3

should:

6 July 2023 quality social and communication experiences n support staff in pre-school to plan number activities that gradually build on children's previous skills and help them to progress to the next stage in their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2579620 Local authority Leicester Inspection number 10278519 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 31 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Russell Nursery School Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0116 224 3584 Date of previous inspection 2 February 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The Milky Way Day Nursery registered in 2020 and is located in Leicester. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3 and one is an apprentice. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 5.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity in each room 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 suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

6 July 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7