Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill

Inspection of Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill Heath Mill House, Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV5 8AP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

On the day of the inspection, several safety issues were identified in the garden. A wooden frame in the garden has splintered and worn away. In addition, a plastic liner in a tyre planter and a box with standing water in pose a risk to children. However, managers acted swiftly and steps were taken to eliminate these risks and ensure children's safety.

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The provision requires improvement

Children build strong attachments with staff. Staff greet children warmly and are interested to hear what they have to say. This supports children's emotional well- being and makes them feel valued. Staff plan an exciting curriculum and provide activities that take account of children's interests while supporting their next steps in learning. They talk to children about what activities are available and children settle quickly into their play. Children enjoy sensory experiences and use their hands and spoons to scoop and fill various containers with soil. They recognise different-coloured paint and make prints using different fruit. This supports their developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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The provision requires improvement

Children benefit from gradual settling-in visits. Staff gather lots of information about each child from their parents. They use this to provide care that is tailored to children's individual needs. Staff involve parents in their child's learning and share ideas for continuing their development at home. Staff are very caring and responsive to children. They recognise when children are feeling wary of visitors in their rooms and give them cuddles and reassurance. Staff give consistent praise and encouragement to children and recognise their efforts and achievements. Some children enjoy giving 'high fives' in recognition of their work.

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need to do better?

n Managers do not monitor the effectiveness of risk assessments that are completed on a daily basis. While risk assessments are completed each day, staff do not always identify risks to children's safety. This means that they cannot inform managers of when action needs to be taken in order to keep children safe. During the inspection, managers took steps to remove most of the risks and the garden has been made inaccessible to children until it is deemed suitable for use. Alternative arrangements are in place for outdoor activities. Therefore, the action taken means that there is no significant impact on children's safety or welfare. n The arrangements for the supervision of staff are not yet effective. Managers have not yet addressed weaknesses in staff's knowledge and understanding of risk assessments to ensure that they are able to effectively carry out and implement these consistently. That said, staff's well-being is important and

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need to do better?

regular staff meetings and supervisions take place. Staff access some

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need to do better?

24 May 2024 professional development opportunities, but these are not yet tailored specifically to areas they need support in to fully benefit children. n Children learn about diversity, similarities and differences. They see positive images of people with different skin tones and abilities through resources and books. Staff encourage children to talk about their families and the special people in their lives. Children have opportunities to try foods from different countries which are included in the nursery menu. n Staff work closely with parents to ensure that children with possible gaps in learning or with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the care and support they need to make the best possible progress. Staff work with other agencies to ensure that children receive a consistent approach to their learning. Children with possible or identified needs are supported well. Effective

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need to do better?

communication between people involved in a child's life helps to ensure consistency between home and nursery. n Parents say that they are very happy with the care provided to their children. They feel that staff are lovely with the children and take time to get to know all about their child when they first start in nursery. They particularly like an online app which is used to share their child's learning and progress. Parents enjoy getting ideas from staff of ways to continue their child's learning at home and share their child's adventures outside of nursery. This helps inform planning and ensures that staff are fully aware of children's emerging interests and developing skills. n Children's language and communication skills are supported well. Children enjoy singing songs and listening to stories. As they grow, children enjoy sharing their own opinions and ideas. They are encouraged to identify different sea creatures,

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need to do better?

such as an octopus, fish and starfish when playing a magnetic fishing game. Older children talk about their favourite planet when learning about the solar system. They like Saturn because it has a ring around it, Earth because they live on it and Mars because it is chilly.

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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

24 May 2024 ensure that daily assessments are effective in identifying potential risks within the environment 14/06/2024

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Due date

provide staff with the support they need to fully understand their responsibilities with regard to completing risk assessments in order to keep children safe. 14/06/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2558047 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10348974 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 71 Number of children on roll 130 Name of registered person Sandhills Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01902 896317 Date of previous inspection 21 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Sandhills Day Nursery Heath Mill registered in 2019. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are 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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. 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 inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector

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Inspection activities

about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting.

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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

24 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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