Best Friends Day Nursery Chester Limited

Inspection of Best Friends Day Nursery Chester Limited Carlton House, Lightfoot Street, Hoole, Chester CH2 3AD

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

The quality of education and children's overall experience in the nursery is variable. Some children who are new or less confident, are visibly unsettled and upset. While staff are caring, they do not put measures in place quickly enough to ensure these children receive the emotional support that they need to feel secure and settled to become confident learners. Overall however, children show that they are happy and feel safe as they become absorbed in the activities available.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Some staff do not know how to engage with children, particularly when outside. Staff stand around rather than interacting with children and engaging them in purposeful learning opportunities. Although leaders offer some direction to staff about how to interact and support children's play, this is not sustained. That said, children skilfully operate wheeled toys and navigate the space available. They enjoy making marks on the ground with chalks and running around with their friends.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Overall, children behave well. Young children are developing essential skills in turn taking and sharing and they listen well to instructions. However, staff do not consistently explain to children why some behaviour is unwanted. This means that children do not develop an understanding of the consequences of their actions.

p.2

need to do better?

n The nursery has been through a significant period of change and has faced challenges recently around staffing and recruitment. Leaders recognise failings and are determined to bring about positive improvements. This includes closely monitoring staff practice, policies and procedures and implementing training for existing and new staff. The weaknesses identified do not have a significant impact on children. n Staff do not consistently implement the nursery's policy regarding nappy changing. Occasionally, staff forget to change their gloves in between children's nappy changes. This creates potential for cross infection and impacts on children's health and well-being. n Leaders recognise the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are aware of the decline in communication and language skills and as such, this is a focus of their curriculum. Staff narrate as children play, label objects, introduce

p.2

need to do better?

new vocabulary and ask questions. However, when talking to children they do not always model words correctly. For example, they use the terms 'doggy', 'birdie' and 'germies' which does not effectively support children's developing language skills. n Staff plan activities that reflect children's interests and address what they need to learn next. The curriculum builds sequentially on what children already know and can do. There are appropriate arrangements in place for assessing children's

p.2

need to do better?

17 April 2024 progress. This information is shared with parents so they are able to support their child's learning at home. n The well-resourced play areas help to motivate children's interests. Children freely make choices in how and where they play, enabling them to follow their own ideas. Babies enjoy using instruments as they sing their favourite songs and join in with familiar actions. Toddlers explore different fruits and vegetables when playing in the home corner. Pre-school children develop fine motor skills in readiness for writing as they use dough and scissors. Children are making progress in their learning. n Children are developing independence and self-care skills. Young children wash their hands before eating and demonstrate an awareness of routine and what is expected of them. Older children skilfully serve themselves meals and snacks. They select their own breakfast cereals, pour their own drinks and tidy away

p.2

need to do better?

after themselves. Special helpers are chosen to assist at mealtimes and children relish this responsibility. n Children learn about the world around them and their place within society. They frequently visit places of interest in the local community and find out about other cultures through special events and celebrations. Children develop an awareness of the environment and sustainability through their play as they use recyclable materials and repurpose objects. n Leaders have placed a strong emphasis on supporting the family as a whole and not just the children that attend. They recognise the varying needs of their service users and, as such, support families to gain any additional support and help that they may need. n Parents' comments are positive. They describe the friendly and approachable staff team and how much their children enjoy attending. Parents feel well informed about what their children have been doing at nursery.

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

Due date

ensure that all staff consistently implement the nursery's procedures when changing nappies to avoid cross contamination. 03/05/2024

p.3

should:

n improve staff interactions with all children, including when outside, so that children continuously benefit from good quality care and education and quickly receive the emotional support they need to help them to engage in learning opportunities n help staff to manage children's behaviour more effectively so that children gain an understanding of the consequences of their actions n strengthen staff's understanding of the importance of modelling language correctly.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2683500 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10339052 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 51 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Best Friends Day Nursery Chester Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01244341057 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Best Friends Day Nursery Chester Limited registered in 2021. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification 2 and eight staff hold qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7.15am until 6.15pm, 51 weeks a year. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 nominated individual, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff and parents 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 The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

17 April 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7