Busy Bees Day Nursery at Northampton Spinney Hill

Inspection of Busy Bees Day Nursery at Northampton Spinney Hill Kettering Road, Northampton NN3 6AA

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children and their parents receive a warm welcome on arrival at the nursery. Babies happily go to their key person, reassured by their familiar faces. Older children wave goodbye and confidently make their way to their group room. Children of all ages are eager to learn. They show high levels of concentration as they quickly settle and immerse themselves in their play.

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The provision is good

Staff teach children, from a young age, to be independent and manage their own personal needs. They encourage children to put on their shoes and coats, help themselves to drinks when they are thirsty, and wipe their own noses. Staff give children the opportunity to practise these skills in their own time and offer gentle and timely guidance when needed. Older babies persevere as they put on and take their shoes off several times before successfully getting them on the correct feet.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a range of activities, indoors and outside, that support their good health and physical development. Babies learn to crawl and take their first steps towards well-positioned resources that challenge their developing physical skills. They gain confidence as staff support them to safely navigate their way up and over soft-play blocks. Outside toddlers begin to take risks as staff teach them to step safely from one crate to the next. Pre-school children carefully navigate more complex obstacles as they climb and balance on crates and planks.

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need to do better?

n The effective and cohesive leadership team demonstrate a strong commitment to providing high-quality provision for children. The manager has a clear vision for the future of the nursery. Staff's well-being and professional development are well supported. Supervision meetings are unique to each individual member of staff. Clear targets help them to continually build on their practice and effectively promote children's care and education. n Key persons understand their role in building relationships with children and their parents. Staff working with babies work well with them, this creates a calm and nurturing environment. Their knowledge of babies' routines and next steps in learning results in their individual needs being consistently met. Staff recognise when children are tired or hungry. They ensure children sleep safely and comfortably for as long as they need. n The manager and staff know what they want children to learn next and how to

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need to do better?

support them, so that they make continuous progress. Staff generally consider children's interests when planning experiences. However, sometimes they remain overly fixed on what they want children to do during activities. For example, during a mark-making activity, staff want children to write their names. Some children showed little interest in this and instead want to experiment using

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need to do better?

1 August 2023 three pencils and not one. Staff remain adamant that children need to write their names. This means there are times when children are not encouraged to extend or adapt their own ideas. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. The SEND coordinator works closely alongside staff, other professionals and parents to ensure children's learning and care needs are consistently met. Additional funding is used appropriately. For example, the manager and SEND coordinator identify and purchase resources to meet children's individual learning needs. n Overall, children behave well. Older children show they understand rules as they listen and follow instructions from staff. For example, they wash their hands before they have food. Toddlers show they are beginning to learn how to share and take turns. Staff praise them highly as they share resources without being

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need to do better?

asked. However, there are times within the toddler room when staff do not consistently show or guide children on how to behave appropriately. This can, at times, lead to an overly loud and chaotic environment. n Parents are complimentary about the nursery. They comment that staff are friendly and kind. In addition, they state they are informed and involved in their children's care and learning, both verbally and through online applications. Further information is readily accessible through a variety of online applications, parent workshops and new initiatives, such as the 'SEND support group'. n Overall, the staff know the children well. They take time to find out about children's individual backgrounds and experiences. Staff use this information to help children learn about the world they live in through, for example, exploring festivals from around the world. However, activities accessible to the children

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need to do better?

daily are less reflective of the wider world or their own and others' cultural backgrounds. This limits their awareness of others and their own heritage.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leaders and managers give high priority to the safety and well-being of all children, and staff undertake regular child protection training. Safeguarding matters are regularly discussed at staff meetings to refresh staff's knowledge. The designated safeguarding leads, and staff, are confident in the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about children or adults they encounter. Recruitment and vetting procedures are effective in ensuring that those working with children are suitable to do so. The health and safety lead works with other staff to identify potential hazards. Risk assessments are detailed and implemented consistently throughout the nursery. Staff deploy themselves effectively and supervise children well.

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should:

1 August 2023 n help staff to increase their knowledge of how to support toddlers to regulate their behaviour and understand what is expected of them n support staff to understand how to offer a less fixed approach during activities to allow children to extend and adapt their own ideas n reflect on children's backgrounds and enhance activities to represent these during daily play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486889 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10301985 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 111 Number of children on roll 149 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01604 494868 Date of previous inspection 13 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Busy Bees Day Nursery at Northampton Spinney Hill registered in 2005 and re- registered in 2015 following a change of ownership. The nursery employs 39 members of childcare staff. Of these, 27 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Claire Muddimer Alexandra Brouder

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, the deputy manager and the inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out two joint observations with the manager. n The inspectors spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the 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

1 August 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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