Bluebells Childcare Services

Inspection of Bluebells Childcare Services Community Careline, Street End Road, Chatham, Kent ME5 0AA

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

Children are happy and settled at this friendly and welcoming setting. They separate well from their parents and are excited to start their day. Children confidently hang up their belongings and show pride when finding their picture card to put on the registration board. Staff build strong bonds with children, providing reassurance, support and praise throughout the day. This helps children to feel safe, secure and ready to begin their learning.

p.2

The provision is good

The manager is ambitious for children to be ready for the next stage in their development and move on to school. She plans a curriculum that helps children to build on what they already know and can do. Staff use the children's interests to provide activities to help them make good progress in their development. Children enjoy playing with water, and they share resources and take turns. They confidently use the pipettes with different food colouring and show great enjoyment when they mix two colours together to create 'green'.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children's behaviour well. They have high expectations of all children and set boundaries that children understand and remind each other of. For example, children know to walk indoors. Children listen well, are kind to each other and show care for their environment. They show concern and compassion when their friends hurt themselves.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager has worked hard since the previous inspection to make changes and improve the quality of the setting. She has a clear vision for the setting and strives for continuous improvement. The manager has worked closely with other agencies, which has had a positive impact on the quality of learning that children receive. n Children's health and well-being are supported effectively. Staff ensure that children's dietary requirements are closely followed and that children are provided with healthy meals and snacks. Children enjoy being active in the fresh air and take part in regular music and movement activities. They learn about oral health. They talk about why it is important to brush their teeth regularly, and they know that fruit and vegetables are healthy to eat. n Staff skilfully support children's communication and language skills. They introduce new words and have purposeful discussions with children. Staff

p.2

need to do better?

working with younger children regularly sing songs and encourage children to point to and recognise familiar pictures in books. This helps to build children's early vocabulary. n Staff provide children with ample opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children use their fine muscle skills to squeeze pipettes during water play.

p.2

need to do better?

11 January 2024 Younger children spend time using their hands to explore with different textures. Children learn to climb, run, throw and balance during outdoor play. They have great fun and learn to move in different ways as they join staff in music and movement sessions. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. The manager and staff work with other agencies to ensure early support is provided. This helps children make good progress in their development. n Overall, staff use positive interactions to help to support children's learning through planned activities effectively. However, at times, staff do not consistently deliver high-quality interactions during children's spontaneous play. For example, on occasion, staff do not recognise when to build on children's ideas, to help extend their learning further. n Parents speak highly of the setting. They praise the manager and staff, who they

p.2

need to do better?

say are caring, friendly and supportive. Parents comment on how much their children enjoy attending the setting and the progress they have made in their development. n Children learn good independence skills and are motivated to do things for themselves. They pour drinks from a jug and concentrate well as they use cutlery at mealtimes. Staff support children to manage their self-care skills. They wash their hands at regular times during the day and learn to put on their coats and shoes. n The manager uses supervision to support staff's professional development and well-being effectively. Staff report that they feel highly valued and part of a supportive team.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to strengthen interactions with children during their spontaneous play to further enhance their learning experiences.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2716946 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10306775 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person Ikwetie, Remilekun

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07944043305 Date of previous inspection 19 July 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Bluebells Childcare Services is based in Chatham, Kent. It operates from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The setting currently employs six members of staff. Of these, the manager holds a level 6 qualification, and three staff hold qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke to the manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

11 January 2024 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