Dearne Family Centre

Inspection of Dearne Family Centre Billingley View, Bolton-upon-Dearne, ROTHERHAM, South Yorkshire S63 8ES

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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 families show that they feel extremely welcome at this friendly and highly inclusive family centre. Leaders and staff are committed to providing a nurturing environment and a sense of belonging for all children in their care. Parents regularly join their children to stay and play at the start of sessions. This helps to establish strong partnership working with families. Children are delighted to show parents what they enjoy doing. Staff prioritise children's well-being. They do everything possible to seek out any extra support that children may need. This helps to ensure that all children make good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There is a particularly strong focus on developing their confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children have fun at the centre and learn as they play. Staff know children well and plan activities to match children's needs and interests. Children follow daily routines and simple guidelines, such as not running indoors. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children behave well relative to their ages. Staff remind children to use good manners, saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Children learn to take safe risks. For instance, staff supervise children closely while they climb a small tree in the garden. Children gain in independence in preparation for their future learning. For example, staff encourage children to put on their own waterproofs before going outdoors to explore the garden. Staff model how to lay out the trousers. They praise children as they 'have a go'. Children persist in their efforts until they succeed.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers are passionate about providing a wide range of support for children and families. The hub, in which the setting is based, links families to a wealth of advice and practical help. There are strong partnerships with other professionals, including health visitors and speech and language therapists. This helps to ensure that children's good development is a top priority for all. n Staff follow a well-structured curriculum designed to meet children's needs. They adapt the curriculum for individual children and set them clear goals. However, on occasion, staff do not take every opportunity to interact as strongly with children to extend their learning even further to achieve the very best outcomes. n Staff get to know children and families very well. They carry out home visits before children come to the setting. Children gradually stay for longer periods and parents leave them to play. This thoughtful approach to settling in helps

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need to do better?

children to become confident and develop a positive attitude to their learning from the beginning. The move onto school is also very well supported. n The well-qualified staff focus effectively on promoting children's communication and language skills. They provide an ongoing commentary for children's play and

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need to do better?

20 March 2024 introduce new words, such as 'sparkly', during conversations. Children are familiar with a range of stories and rhymes. This enables children to practise their early literacy skills in preparation for school. n Leaders are exceptionally keen to support staff well-being and professional development. Regular supervision sessions help ensure that staff can share any concerns. Staff say that managers doors are 'always open'. Leaders and managers also have access to a very strong support team. n Parents praise the care given to their children by staff and especially their child's key person. They comment that their children are extremely safe and enjoy their time at the setting. Parents value the frequent exchange of information with staff. They say they feel fully involved with their children's education. n Staff help children to recognise their emotions and manage their feelings. For instance, they use puppets to encourage children to express themselves. Staff

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need to do better?

offer plenty of encouragement. For example, they use 'high-fives' to celebrate children's achievements. Children's work is displayed prominently which helps to build their self-esteem. n Children have many opportunities to practise their physical skills. They enjoy making obstacle courses outdoors which helps to exercise their muscles. Indoors, children investigate water full of bubbles and fill and pour from containers. They pick up colourful ribbons of paper and soft balls of wool with tweezers. This helps children to strengthen their hand movements and coordination in readiness for mark making and writing. n Children benefit from fresh air and exercise daily. They learn about making positive nutritional choices during snack time. Children practise brushing their teeth at the setting and take toothbrushes and toothpaste home with them. These routines help children to follow a healthy lifestyle.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n support all staff to enhance and enrich their interactions with children even further to promote the very best outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY497665 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 10311880 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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reference number

Telephone number 01709 890 303 Date of previous inspection 13 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Dearne Family Centre was registered in 2015 and is located in Bolton-upon-Dearne. The setting employs 11 members of childcare staff. All of these hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The setting opens Monday to Thursday mornings, from 8.30am to 12.15am, term-time only. It also provides sessions Monday to Friday 12.45pm to 3.45pm. 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager, the senior staff member and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The senior staff member carried out a joint observation of an activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

20 March 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.

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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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