Wulstan's Lodge Childcare

Inspection of Wulstan's Lodge Childcare St Wulstan's Catholic Primary School, Stagborough Way, Stourport-On-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8TX

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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

Staff greet children warmly as they arrive at the setting. Children separate from their parents with ease. Staff know the children well and they develop close bonds. As a result, children are happy and settled. Staff value children's home experiences. Children bring items in from home to show staff and their peers. They talk freely about their families and experiences, and staff listen intently. This makes children feel respected and safe.

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The provision is good

Routines are well established. Children of all ages sit on the rug together and answer 'good morning' to the register. Staff reinforce daily routines through songs. For example, children sing a tidy-up song and a handwashing song to signal these activities. Children behave well, due to the high expectations of staff. Staff give gentle behaviour reminders when needed or use distraction techniques. The impact of this is that the setting is calm and predictable for children.

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The provision is good

The curriculum has clear learning intentions and end points. Staff base learning around loose topics, which they adapt according to children's interests. Staff offer a range of experiences that support children to develop across the areas of learning. For example, children develop their fine motor skills while they paint using sweetcorn, and they develop their number knowledge when they count and pop bubbles. Children are eager to join in with these enjoyable activities, which means that they develop positive attitudes to learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff place a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. They read good-quality books to children and sing with children throughout the day. Staff narrate children's play and repeat words, such as 'splash'. This results in children becoming more effective communicators. n Staff support children's vocabulary development across all areas of learning. They write target words on flower templates and use these when they interact with children. This supports children to extend their vocabulary. n Staff assess children to identify and plan for children's next steps in learning. However, occasionally, activities and questions do not challenge and extend children's thinking to the highest level, particularly for older children, to help them make the best possible progress. n Staff teach children about healthy living and emotions. For example, children feel their heartbeat after jumping, and pre-schoolers talk about how they feel about

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need to do better?

moving to their new school. This supports children's physical and mental well- being. n Staff generally support children to develop their independence skills. For example, children hang their coats on pegs labelled with their name and manage

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need to do better?

8 May 2024 their own personal care routines. However, at times, staff do not encourage children to do things for themselves, including taking off their painting aprons and hanging up their artwork. As a result, children's independence is not further promoted to provide greater autonomy for children and prepare them even more for their future. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. Staff observe children and carefully identify any learning or development need. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) uses this information along with any guidance from specialist professionals to create individual support plans. This ensures children receive the support they need to help to close gaps in their learning. n Parents speak highly of the staff and the service they provide. They feel that their children 'thrive' at the setting. Parents report that staff keep them well

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need to do better?

informed about their children's day and the progress they make. They feel that staff provide them with information that enables them to support their children's learning and development at home. n The setting is led and managed well. Leaders and managers assess the setting's strengths and areas for development effectively. They work to improve the quality of provision by providing training and professional development opportunities for staff. The impact of this is evident in staff's developing knowledge and in children's outcomes. n Safeguarding is an important part of everyday life in the setting. Staff are aware of the signs that children may be at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns using the setting's safeguarding procedures and local procedures. The premises are secure, and an intercom system is in place. Fire and lockdown procedures are clear and practised regularly. Staff carry out daily risk

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need to do better?

assessments of the environment, which help to minimise risks to children.

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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 focus coaching and training to enhance the quality of teaching practice and provide further challenge during activities to extend children's thinking n offer more opportunities that promote children's independence in their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY291703 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10335635 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 20 Number of children on roll 153 Name of registered person St Wulstan's Child Care Group

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reference number

Telephone number 01299 829032 Date of previous inspection 22 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Wulstan's Lodge Childcare registered in 2004 and is based in Stourport-On-Severn, Worcestershire. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, during school term times, from 7.30am until 6pm. It also offers a before- and after-school service from 7.30am until 8.50am and 3.30pm until 6pm and a holiday club as needed. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an early years qualification at level 4, five hold a qualification at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 manager spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager.

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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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