Building Blocks Nursery

Inspection of Building Blocks Nursery 669-671 Kings Road, Birmingham B44 9HU

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

The nursery is tranquil and welcoming. It is aesthetically pleasing and homely, with soft lighting and fabulous scents. All staff are highly responsive to children's needs. For example, they offer reassurance, encouraging smiles and cuddles, when needed. Furthermore, they chat to the children as they play alongside them. This helps children to relax and focus as they engage in new experiences. Staff successfully support children to follow the nursery rules. These rules help to keep children safe and encourage respect for others. Children are confident and behave well.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide children with stimulating activities that fully engage them and promote their development in all the areas of learning. Children have many opportunities to be creative, to develop their sensory skills and to explore a variety of textures and materials. For example, babies enjoy exploring the sand with their fingers. The two-year-old children concentrate as they use tools, such as rolling pins and scissors, to manipulate the dough. They add mint leaves and sprinkle ground cinnamon onto their dough to enhance their creations. The pre-school children make pretend soup. They add the chopped parsnips and onion to the water in the large tin bath and vigorously stir the mixture. During such times, staff support children to work towards the next steps in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team continues to boost its own professional development. It is working towards a National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership. It frequently links with the local authority advisers. This helps the team to reflect on its practice and overcome any ongoing challenges to developing a high-quality provision. n The management team regularly monitors and supports each member of staff's practice in a particular area of learning. This, along with regular individual support meetings, helps staff to improve the knowledge and skills they need to teach children effectively. n Staff provide an exciting environment that is inspired by natural and recycled materials and incorporates children's interests. They engage in role play with the children. Staff act out different characters and situations based on the children's ideas. During such activities, staff use everyday real objects, such as clocks and

p.2

need to do better?

telephones, to promote children's knowledge of numbers. They encourage children to sort objects according to size and colour. Children show high levels of curiosity, imagination and concentration across all the areas of learning. n Staff use a screening programme to identify delays in children's use and understanding of language and to help them plan supportive interventions. They read lots of stories to the children. Staff plan post-reading activities that help

p.2

need to do better?

16 October 2023 children to fully understand and remember key concepts within the story. However, staff do not focus strongly enough on encouraging pre-school children to develop their understanding of letters and sounds. n Staff provide a range of resources that reflects cultural diversity. This helps children to learn about how they differ from, or are similar to, other people. Staff praise children's positive behaviour. This helps to nurture children's confidence and promote their good behaviour. n The skilled and trained special educational needs coordinator is enthusiastically committed in her role. She works closely with parents and other professionals to identify, plan and coordinate additional support that children need. Staff have had training on how to find and use the right communication method for each child. This includes the use of pictures, objects and signing. The sensory room provides calmness and comfort and helps children to regulate their behaviour

p.2

need to do better?

and learn through their senses. All of this helps to ensure that these children make the best possible progress. n Staff make sure that there is a good two-way exchange of information with parents about their child's development on an ongoing basis. This enhances parents' knowledge about how their child's learning can be best supported at home. Parents spoken to feel that their children are happy in the nursery. n Younger children have the opportunity to experience physical challenge and manage risks for themselves. For example, they balance on the wooden planks and use the small slide. However, a small group of older, most-able children do not experience physical play that is challenging and tests their limits.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of the possible signs of abuse and a strong awareness of their responsibility to protect children from harm. They thoroughly check all indoor and outdoor areas to identify and minimise any possible risks to children. Staff consistently supervise children to ensure their safety at all times. The management team ensures that robust safer recruitment procedures are followed.

p.3

should:

n provide pre-school children with more opportunities to build on and develop their knowledge of letters and sounds n enhance the already exciting outdoor physical opportunities available so that the older, most-able children experience an even higher level of physical challenge in their play.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY496136 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10308559 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Building Blocks Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01213667338 Date of previous inspection 29 March 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Building Blocks Nursery registered in 2016 and is situated in Great Barr, Birmingham. It is one of three nurseries managed by Building Blocks Nursery Limited. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate childcare qualifications. This includes one at level 6, two at level 5, nine at level 3 and two at level 2. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the director completed a learning walk across all the areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the director. n The inspector held discussions with staff and evaluated how well they assess children's progress and plan for the next steps in their learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the director. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken to on the day of the inspection.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

16 October 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6