Spring - Carousel

Inspection of Spring - Carousel Chapel Hill, Braintree CM7 3QZ

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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

Children are at the heart of this warm and welcoming nursery. The friendly staff greet children and parents with enthusiasm as they arrive. Children develop close relationships with the caring staff who know them well. They confidently explore the environment and engage with activities that support their interests. Babies delight as they enthusiastically join in with familiar songs, clapping with excitement and joining in with the actions. Toddlers look intently at tiny caterpillars in a jar as staff explain that these will become butterflies. Older children enjoy making dough, practising their counting skills as they spoon in the ingredients.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They learn to take turns and to share the resources. Children are sociable and demonstrate good communication skills. They develop good friendships and happily chat to each other throughout the day. Children are keen to engage with visitors, confidently asking questions and talking about their achievements, such as demonstrating how they can count to 10.

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The provision is good

Outside, children have opportunities to peddle the trikes and climb up the slide, helping to strengthen their large muscles. Children build 'walls' with bricks in the 'construction' area, paint and draw in the mark-making area and wash their cars in the 'car wash' area. Staff plan additional activities to broaden children's experiences, such as visits to the nursery from a mobile farm, dentist and firefighters.

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need to do better?

n The management team is dedicated and highly ambitious. It works closely with the enthusiastic staff team to provide high-quality, inclusive care and education for all children. Staff place a high priority on getting to know each child and family extremely well. They provide parents with a wealth of information and advice, and parents advise that all the staff 'go over and above' to support them and their children. n The staff team continually reflects on how to raise the quality of the provision further to benefit children and families. For example, plans are in place to develop the outside area to enhance children's experiences. Staff engage with targeted professional development opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills further. The management team places a high priority on staff well-being, and staff advise they feel supported. There is a strong team spirit and staff clearly enjoy their roles. This promotes a happy, positive atmosphere throughout

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need to do better?

the nursery. n Staff identify any gaps in children's learning and development to ensure that their individual needs are supported effectively. They work closely with parents and seek support from other external professionals to ensure that children

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need to do better?

27 June 2024 swiftly get the help and support they need. Individual plans are put in place to help children work towards achievable targets and make progress in their individual learning and development. n Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. They encourage children to engage in back-and-forth conversations, encouraging them to share their thoughts and experiences. Staff respond to babies as they babble, showing genuine interest in what they have to say. Staff speak clearly, model language and introduce new words. n The manager is committed to supporting children to develop a love of books. Children of all ages take home 'bedtime story bags' containing a book, teddy and torch, helping parents to engage in a fun bedtime reading experience with their children. Children show interest in reading and choose books independently to look at in the book areas, carefully turning the pages and showing interest as

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need to do better?

they intently look at the pictures. They listen well to the stories staff read, joining in with familiar words and phrases. n Parent partnership is strong. Parents say staff are courteous, professional and that their children are 'safe, cared for and loved'. They praise the ongoing communication from staff, including information about events, new resources and monthly recipes. Parents are welcomed to regular stay-and-play sessions with their children and value the frequent updates about their children's development. Parents can take home activity packs, song cards and books from the 'home learning zone', helping them to support and extend children's learning at home. n Staff provide a broad and well-sequenced curriculum. They have a clear understanding of the skills and knowledge they want children to develop to be ready for the transition to the next room in the nursery and eventually school. Overall, staff demonstrate good teaching practice. However, at times, staff do

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need to do better?

not always ensure their teaching enables children to achieve as much new learning as possible to help them make the most progress.

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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 interest's first.

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should:

n support staff to raise the quality of teaching even higher, and make the most effective use of all learning opportunities so that children can make the best progress possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539434 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10220244 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 49 Number of children on roll 126 Name of registered person Action For Children Developments Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01376 326542 Date of previous inspection 4 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Spring Carousel nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 nursery. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk together. They discussed how the curriculum is organised and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children and assessed the impact this has on the children's learning. n The management team, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them and reviewing written testimonials. n A sample of the nursery's documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence of staff suitability.

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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

27 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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