Play 'n' Learn Nursery

Inspection of Play 'n' Learn Nursery 80 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4TF

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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 Good

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The provision requires improvement

Leaders have not implemented an effective key-person system. Some staff are unsure about who their key children are, and parents are also not aware of the arrangements for their child. However, staff know what children enjoy doing and comfort them when they are upset. Leaders have a clear idea of what they want children to learn as they move through the nursery. However, not all staff fully understood this yet. Staff do not always plan activities based on what children need to learn, or offer opportunities for them to become fully engaged in their learning. As a result, some children lose interest quickly and wander around looking for something to do. Children are, however, happy in the nursery environment.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff do not always respond consistently to children's behaviour, which means children do not learn what is expected of them. Staff do, however, encourage children to say 'please' and 'thank you', and children show kindness to their friends as they make space for them to join in with story time.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite some weaknesses, children enjoy spending time outdoors. They learn to transport equipment and use an outdoor tap to collect water for the mud kitchen. Staff provide resources for children to develop their large and fine motor skills. They support children to squeeze water out of sponges and to ride around on wheeled vehicles.

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need to do better?

n The key-person system is not yet good. Due to some changes in staffing, some staff are not aware of who their key children are. This does not ensure that the care given is tailored to children's individual needs and does not support strong partnerships with parents. n Staff do not implement the curriculum successfully. They complete observations of children and make assessments about their development. However, they do not always plan activities that enable children to become immersed in purposeful learning. Children are not motivated by the activities on offer and, as a result, they often wander around looking for something to do. n Children do not understand how to behave appropriately. They sometimes push other children or throw toys. This sometimes goes unnoticed by staff. When staff intervene to support children's behaviour, their responses are inconsistent and do not help children to learn what is expected of them, or to understand how

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need to do better?

their behaviour affects others. n Staff show interest in what children do, and they talk with them during their play. They describe what children are doing and ask them questions when sharing stories. However, staff do not always provide opportunities to extend children's language further or provide the correct words for items children play

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need to do better?

8 May 2024 with. For example, some staff use the term 'quack quack' when labelling a duck. This does not fully support children to learn the correct language. n Children follow daily routines and respond well to instructions from staff. They wash their hands before meals and are given some responsibility to hand out plates of food to children at lunchtime. However, staff do not take advantage of all opportunities to develop children's independence further. For example, there are times when staff put food on older children's plates for them and take packaging off food rather than letting children do this for themselves. This does not give children full opportunity to develop the skills they will need for their eventual move to school. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported. Staff work closely with parents to understand children's needs. They contact external agencies for advice on how to support children to make progress. Staff

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need to do better?

invite speech and language therapists into the nursery to provide targeted support for children with delays in their communication. n Parents say they are happy with the care their children receive. They comment that they see their children making progress and that they are happy and settled. They say staff are friendly and listen to them as parents. n Leaders are aware of some of the weaknesses across the nursery. They have identified ways to action these and are working with staff to make changes. They have systems in place to support staff practice. For example, leaders observe staff with children and provide regular supervision meetings to discuss what training would support staff to develop their knowledge and skills further. Staff comment that they feel supported by managers.

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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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Due date

implement a key-person system that is effective so that staff understand children's individual needs and that fosters strong relationships with parents 07/06/2024

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Due date

8 May 2024 ensure all staff understand and implement the curriculum effectively so that children are provided with activities that motivate them to learn. 07/06/2024

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should:

n support children's language and communication skills further through purposeful interactions with staff n support children's independence further so that they are fully prepared for the next stage in their learning n support staff to use consistent strategies to respond to children's behaviour so that children receive clear messages about what is expected of them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553266 Local authority Wolverhampton Inspection number 10344902 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Play 'N' Learn Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01902256265 Date of previous inspection 10 January 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Play 'n' Learn Nursery registered in 2018 and is situated in Wolverhampton. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff, including bank staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery operates all year round. Sessions are Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during tea time. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

8 May 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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