The Sunshine Centre

Inspection of The Sunshine Centre The Sunshine Centre, Edmunds Road, BANBURY, Oxfordshire OX16 0PJ

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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 Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

Since the previous inspection, the senior leadership team at the nursery have made significant improvements. As a result, there is a new curriculum intent in place to support children's learning. Staff are clear on their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. However, the nursery has not established effective partnerships with parents and this negatively affects children's all-round experiences at the nursery. At times, staff's delivery of some parts of the curriculum is inconsistent. Despite these weaknesses, children are content, settled and are making steady progress in their development. Staff show their commitment to further increasing the quality of care and education for children. The nursery supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. Staff take decisive action in supporting children when they await referrals for support and guidance from outside professionals. Their swift intervention through

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The provision requires improvement

small group activities, individual support and making good use of the sensory room, contributes towards children with SEND developing well and enjoying their time at the nursery.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff are respectful, consistent and realistic in their expectations for supporting children's behaviour. As staff know children well, they recognise triggers for unwanted behaviour and use effective tactics, such as distraction, to help divert children's attention. Staff are patient and explain about feelings, helping children to understand their strong emotions. Together, this creates a calm and productive environment, where children feel safe and secure

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need to do better?

n Staff generally know about what children need to learn. They are beginning to think more about ways they can encourage children's learning. Consequently, children are starting to use their own initiative, sustain their attention and show interest and eagerness to learn. Staff promote children's communication and language skills effectively. They expand on children's vocabulary through commentating on children's learning and play, prompting children to think more deeply and use new words. n Sometimes, literacy activities are mundane and presented to children as though they are a task to complete. This takes meaning and enjoyment away from the learning and children do not fully benefit from opportunities to refine, develop and extend on their skills. n Children are beginning to appreciate and engage with books and stories. Staff invite children to read with them and all children enjoy warm and welcoming

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need to do better?

areas, where they can snuggle with staff and listen to the stories that they enjoy. n Babies are content and confident in the calm and relaxed baby room. They

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 follow their own routine for sleep and rest. Staff cuddle them warmly as they drift off to sleep. Staff are alert to safe sleeping practices. They monitor children as they sleep and ensure that they always supervise children closely, especially during mealtimes. n Children form close attachments with staff. However, parents say that they do not get enough time to talk to their children's key person. The handover period between staff and parents is brief and staff share only basic information with parents. Therefore, the key-person relationship is developing but not yet strong enough to provide children with good consistency in their care. n There are effective systems in place for staff to identify vulnerable families and offer support. The senior leadership team work collaboratively with other professionals to provide a joined-up approach to safeguarding. Through recent audits and evaluations, the senior nursery staff have overhauled their approach

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need to do better?

to safeguarding. As a result, safeguarding practice is now extremely strong. n Parents do not receive enough information to find out about their children's learning. Although staff share some information with parents via electronic programmes, this information does not help parents to know how well their children are progressing or how to support them at home, especially as children get ready to move on to school. n The benefits of good-quality training, support and supervision are becoming evident. Staff are increasing their personal effectiveness and confidence in their roles. The senior leadership team are knowledgeable and using their wealth of experience to motivate the staff team. There are clear plans in place for the ongoing improvement of the nursery.

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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

improve relationships between key persons and families, providing parents with greater opportunities to talk about their child and exchange information between home and nursery 23/07/2024

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Due date

18 June 2024 share information with parents that enable them to know what their children are learning and how well they are progressing to enable them to support children's development at home. 23/07/2024

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should:

n expand on opportunities for children to explore their developing interest in literacy and early writing in meaningful ways.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY338625 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10343220 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 91 Number of children on roll 87 Name of registered person The Sunshine Centre

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reference number

Telephone number 01295 276769 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The Sunshine Centre registered in 2006. It is located in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 24 members of staff, of whom 14 hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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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 inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the early years manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting and discussions with the early years manager, safeguarding manager and trustee. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

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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

18 June 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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