Saplings Day Nursery

Inspection of Saplings Day Nursery 552 Wigan Road, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 2BX

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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

Staff greet children warmly as they arrive. They focus on ensuring that children are happy, safe and ready to learn. Staff are very attentive to children's individual needs. They prioritise building strong and trusting relationships with their key children. As a result, babies who are new to the nursery settle with ease. Babies also display good levels of confidence as they eagerly explore their nurturing environment. Older children demonstrate high levels of independence and enjoyment as they explore the outside area. Children happily help with small tasks, such as putting toys away after an activity or carrying their plates during mealtimes. These purposeful activities help children to gain a sense of responsibility, which prepares them for the next stage of their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff are active participants in children's play. For example, they join in with enthusiasm and engagement. Babies use their senses to explore the world around them. They feel the flour with staff as they scoop and pour the tactile resources. Babies benefit from lots of opportunities to practise their developing physical skills as they climb, crawl and pull themselves up. Staff promote children's mathematical development and build upon their prior learning. For example, staff count the number of drops of green food colouring added to milk. Toddlers use their imagination effectively to bring their ideas to life. For example, they talk about the new 'Grinch milk' colours they have made. Children are also developing a secure knowledge of mathematical concepts.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff are motivated, ambitious and have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn. The manager has robust systems to monitor staff's practice. Staff attend regular training, coaching and mentoring sessions. These help to ensure the very good quality of education for all children. n Staff are excellent role models for children. They continually show children how to be respectful and kind. Pre-school children show a high level of awareness of expectations for their behaviour. They remind their friends of the routines in place to help to keep themselves safe. All children respond extremely positively to staff's guidance and show concern for others. n Staff are skilled at teaching children communication and language skills. Consistent storytelling can be heard throughout the nursery. Staff choose quality books and use accompanying activities, such as visual prompts, to help children

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need to do better?

explore and practise new vocabulary. This supports children to become confident communicators. Children have notably strong listening and attention skills. n Staff know children well. They make regular observations and assessments of what children know and can do. However, occasionally, staff do not plan and deliver group activities as well as possible. During these times, some children

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need to do better?

18 December 2023 lose interest and become disengaged. This limits their learning experience. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is skilled at supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). She is proactive in making prompt referrals to agencies where necessary. The SENCo works closely with parents and other professionals to ensure the best outcomes for children with SEND. n Children with SEND benefit from knowledgeable staff, who get to know their unique needs well. Staff identify children's interests in order to design a curriculum that encourages children with SEND to participate in their learning environment. For example, staff plan regular sensory activities, such as visits to the petting zoo. This helps children to develop their senses as they learn about the world around them. n The manager places a high priority on working with parents. Staff collect a

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need to do better?

wealth of information from parents when children first start. This helps staff plan appropriately from the beginning. Parents attend parents' evenings and access an online app throughout the year. They receive information about their children's development and how they can extend their children's next steps at home. This partnership working helps to provide continuity in children's care and learning. n Staff provide children with a broad range of learning experiences, which helps to enhance their learning. For example, when staff arranged a visit to the pantomime, they helped to prepare children for this exciting adventure by reading stories. They also introduced pantomime language, such as 'He's behind you'. Children continue to discuss the pantomime and how they travelled in a minibus. This helps children to reflect on past experiences, construct sentences and use new vocabulary.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. They can identify and know where to report any concerns they have regarding children's safety. Staff know how to refer concerns beyond the senior leaders, if necessary. The manager follows a recruitment process that helps to ensure that new staff are suitable for their roles. Staff carry out risk assessments in the environment that help to identify and remove any potential hazards. This helps to provide a safe environment for children to play in.

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should:

n improve the organisation of group activities, to help children remain focused and engaged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY388729 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10308276 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 26 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Saplings Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01942 818 334 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Saplings Day Nursery registered in 2009. The nursery is situated in Westhoughton, Bolton. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one member of staff holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, six hold level 3 and one holds level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked 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 Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

18 December 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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