Bluebirds Day Nursery

Inspection of Bluebirds Day Nursery 68 London Road, GRAYS, Essex RM17 5XX

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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 happy and settled in the welcoming nursery environment. They develop secure relationships with the friendly and nurturing staff. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Staff know and follow children's care routines, ensuring their individual needs are met. Children enjoy exploring the environment and make their own play choices. Older children confidently access different resources to help them adapt and change their play. For example, they find small toy cars to put inside the tunnels they build.

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The provision is good

Children learn the behaviour expectations at the nursery through age-appropriate 'golden rules'. Staff encourage them to use polite language, such as 'please' and 'thank you'. Children play together well. When there are any minor disputes, staff gently remind children to wait their turn and share the toys with others. Children eagerly show staff their achievements and proudly clap and dance when staff praise them. This helps to promote children's confidence and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to build on their physical development through play. For example, there are a variety of resources outside, such as a slide, trikes and climbing apparatus, to support children to strengthen their large muscles. Inside, babies use small spades to scoop sand and toddlers pour water into different-sized containers, helping to build their small hand muscles in preparation for early writing skills. Older children enthusiastically join in physical activities such as daily dance sessions, helping to support their physical fitness.

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need to do better?

n The managers are dedicated and have a clear and ambitious vision for the nursery. They strive to provide high-quality, inclusive care and education for all children. The staff team members place a high priority on getting to know each child and family well to understand their needs. They provide parents with a wealth of information and advice to support them and their children. For example, they have arranged for parents to have access to free online training provided by the local authority. n The management team members gather the views of parents and staff to reflect on how they can raise the quality of the provision further. For example, plans are in place to provide children with opportunities to learn more about nature in environments outside of the nursery. Staff are encouraged to engage with training opportunities to develop their practice further. The management team places a high priority on staff's well-being, and staff say they feel supported.

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need to do better?

n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely well. Managers work closely with parents and external professionals to ensure children swiftly receive the additional help they need. Individual plans are

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need to do better?

13 August 2024 put in place and shared with staff to help children work towards achievable targets and make progress in their individual learning and development. Additional funding is used effectively to support children's individual needs, such as through the purchase of specific resources and additional one-to-one support. n Staff know children well and plan a broad curriculum to help them make progress in all areas of learning. They use assessment effectively to monitor children's progress and to identify what they need to know or do next. However, sometimes, staff do not always ensure they consistently provide sufficient challenge for the older and most-able children. For example, while children play with magnetic shapes, staff do not always use this to extend their mathematical knowledge even further. n Staff support children's language development well. Children benefit from daily singing, rhymes and story times. Staff engage with babies and young children as

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need to do better?

they play, naming objects and talking about what they are doing, helping to broaden their vocabulary. Older children enjoy engaging in group discussions, helping to promote their confidence. n Children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and cooked meals. Babies and toddlers are encouraged to feed themselves with spoons. Older children proudly complete small tasks, such as setting out the cutlery at lunchtime. From a young age, children are encouraged to take off and put on their own shoes and coats to play outside. Children learn good hygiene practices, for example they wash their hands after playing in the garden and before eating. This helps to promote children's independence and to prepare them for the next stage in their learning, including school. n Parents say their children enjoy coming to the nursery and make good progress. They say staff are 'amazing' and 'supportive'. Parents say that they have regular

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need to do better?

discussions and meetings and receive information via an online app, including advice on how they can support children's learning and development at home.

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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 support staff to challenge and extend the older and most-able children's learning more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY448795 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10351816 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 48 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Bluebirds Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01375 768252 Date of previous inspection 19 October 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Bluebirds Day Nursery registered in 2012. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the managers, who each hold early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the early education of 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 provider. n The managers and the inspector completed a learning walk of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with a manager and they evaluated this together. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including the suitability checks of all adults working in 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

13 August 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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