Barnston Buddies

Inspection of Barnston Buddies Sandham Grove, Heswall, Wirral CH60 1XW

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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 love coming to this calm nursery. Staff do their best to include each child fully in activities. Children say goodbye to their parents with confidence because they feel happy and safe to spend time learning and exploring with their many friends. Children who are new to the nursery settle well. This is because of leaders' thoughtful approach to calm children's anxieties about separating from their parents for the first time.

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The provision is good

Children learn much new knowledge because of leaders' well-considered curriculum. They concentrate fully on the meaningful learning opportunities that staff provide. Children delight in coming together at group time, such as when they learn to move their arms to swish ribbons in the air. They also learn that this is a time to concentrate and listen carefully to what staff say.

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The provision is good

Children behave themselves because of the many successful ways that leaders and staff guide children about how to be kind and thoughtful. They play in harmony with one another. Children benefit from staff's teaching, playful interactions and skilful use of resources. They learn important language, such as to recognise, name and express tricky emotions when they arise.

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need to do better?

n In most areas of learning, leaders have constructed a well-thought-out curriculum through which staff teach children the important knowledge that they need to learn. Leaders ensure that staff talk often with children, including helping them to think and to express their thoughts and ideas. Leaders and staff help children to keep on trying when learning becomes difficult. n Often, staff can be heard reading aloud with the children. They help children to pay attention to the pictures and words in books and to enjoy stories. However, leaders' curriculum for using books with children lacks purpose. This does not help to build on children's previous knowledge about books. n The nursery is full of chatter. Staff encourage children to start conversations, for instance, by showing that they are genuinely interested in what each child wants to say. They choose their questions carefully and children are bursting to answer

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need to do better?

in response. This supports children's emerging language and thinking skills. n Children behave sensibly. This is because staff skilfully help children to learn about the daily routines and the nursery rules for how to behave. For example, staff redirect unwanted behaviours by positively stating instead what children should do. Children learn to adapt their own behaviours well. n Children develop positive, trusting relationships with staff. Staff successfully help children to learn to take turns when waiting for resources. Then, when children have learned about waiting, staff build on this important knowledge. For

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need to do better?

5 September 2023 example, staff help children to learn about the importance of sharing. n Staff encourage children to talk and listen to one another thoughtfully. They help children to notice one another and to use children's names during play and songs. Children practise their newly learned words, such as 'paint, bright' and 'colour' in their play. This supports children's language and social skills. n Leaders have reduced the workload of staff successfully. As a result, staff spend much of their time working with the children. Leaders help staff to avoid wasting time on unnecessary paperwork. Leaders check the quality of staff's work regularly. They support staff effectively, such as modelling to staff improved ways to support children's play and learning. n Staff ensure that lunchtimes are a calm and social occasion for children. The tasty meals that staff provide for children are healthy. However, leaders have

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need to do better?

not worked closely enough with parents to ensure that children's packed lunches are healthy and nutritious. This impacts on some children's awareness of the foods to eat and to avoid. n Parents are complimentary about the nursery. They said that their children feel at ease when attending. Parents appreciate the information that staff share with them about their child's progress, so that they can support their learning further at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders make sure that all staff understand that safeguarding children is a priority at the nursery. They ensure that staff undertake regular training about safeguarding and child protection. This means, for example, that staff understand and can spot the signs that might indicate a child is experiencing neglect or abuse. Staff know the children in their care very well. This helps them to notice any changes in a child's appearance or behaviour. Staff are very clear about what action they must take if they are concerned about a child or adult, including a colleague.

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should:

n work in partnership with parents to promote children's good health even further with regards to healthy food choices n strengthen the curriculum in literacy, so that children develop knowledge and understanding about books.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2693219 Local authority Wirral Inspection number 10306294 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 67 Number of children on roll 187 Name of registered person Barnston Buddies Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 342 3411 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Barnston Buddies registered in June 2022 and is located in Wirral. The setting employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting is open from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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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 leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk, talked about the curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked with staff during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke with the inspector about how they and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed children's learning of the curriculum and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation provided by the manager and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at 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

5 September 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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