Scallywags Day Nursery

Inspection of Scallywags Day Nursery 48-54 Church Street, Bocking, Braintree, Essex CM7 5JY

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at nursery and develop secure relationships with staff and their peers. Interactions between staff and children are warm and supportive, which supports their emotional development and sense of security. For instance, new children receive the support of their key person and settle in their arms before starting to explore their environment. Overall, children behave appropriately and demonstrate that their needs are being met.

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The provision is good

Staff support children's communication and language skills well. They model clear language and repeat words back to children. All children enjoy stories and singing. Staff engage in meaningful conversations with older children. They use these opportunities to build on their vocabulary. Staff read and explore sensory books with babies, introducing descriptive words to describe the textures of the pictures, such as 'fluffy' and 'smooth'. As a result, children are becoming confident communicators.

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The provision is good

Staff plan a range of activities and experiences that capture children's interests. For example, they recently had a delivery of eggs that the children have watched hatch into chicks. Children observe and chat together as they discuss their features, similarities and differences, such as some having fluffy feathers on their legs. This provides children with new experiences as they learn about life cycles and the care needs of chicks.

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need to do better?

n The provider, manager and staff have worked incredibly hard since their last inspection to meet the actions raised. For example, they have made some significant improvements to the nursery environment, both inside and outdoors, to ensure that it is now clean and fit for purpose. The manager is undertaking additional training to assist her in her role. This has been successful in supporting her to ensure that risk assessment is effective in identifying and minimising risks to children's health and safety. n The provider has reflected on her provision for children and made some positive changes. For example, she has made it a priority for all staff, including the manager, to complete additional training. Staff report that this has inspired them to reflect on their environment and make positive changes in supporting children. n The nursery curriculum has been revisited and now shows clear intentions for

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need to do better?

children's learning. It is sequenced well to build on what children already know and can do. Staff plan a range of activities to support children's growing interests. However, on occasions, the noise level is high. This makes it difficult for children to concentrate fully and be deeply focused on their learning.

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need to do better?

23 April 2024 n Children demonstrate growing independence in their self-care skills. For example, staff encourage all children to wipe their own noses and wash their hands at appropriate times. Children learn the importance of drinking water as staff introduce new words, such as 'hydrated', and explain the meaning. They demonstrate their growing independence as they serve their own lunch, cut up fruit at snack and pour their drinks on their own. n Staff ensure that all children benefit from daily activities to be physically active. For example, babies have low-level furniture to pull to stand and staff encourage them to practise their early walking skills. Other children confidently climb up the steps of the slide and slide down. n Leaders have made changes to the way staff are deployed around the nursery. They have reorganised staffing roles to ensure that they do not need to take prolonged time away from children to complete housekeeping tasks. This means

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need to do better?

that staff now feel more supported in their roles and increases the number of staff directly supervising children. Most children listen to instructions well, take turns and share. However, systems that emphasise praise for positive behaviour are not fully effective in motivating some children to make good choices. n Parents comment positively on the improvements made since the last inspection. They appreciate the enhanced communication they receive regarding their children's learning and development. A book lending scheme has been created to encourage children's literacy at home. Staff encourage children to take a bear home and bring it back to share their experiences. For example, children share their photographs in the book and confidently explain the activities that they have been on with the bear.

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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 review the organisation of activities to provide children with greater opportunities to concentrate deeply on their learning and play n guide staff to provide young children with the support they need to make good choices, helping them to understand the impact their behaviour has on others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 650124 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10326882 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 87 Number of children on roll 153 Name of registered person Scallywags Day Nursery (Essex) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01376 331770 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Scallywags Day Nursery registered in 1997. The nursery employs 21 members of staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am to 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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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, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the nursery. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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

23 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.

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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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