Big Discoveries Nursery

Inspection of Big Discoveries Nursery Portchester Community Centre, Westlands Grove, Fareham PO16 9AD

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Staff provide exceptional support for all children's learning. They go above and beyond to ensure that children have the best start in life. Staff plan a highly ambitious curriculum for all children that is deeply embedded. They adapt this to meet children's needs. For example, staff notice children need additional support for their physical skills. They add in highly motivating opportunities to make sure children have the support they need. This finely-tuned approach supports all children to make excellent progress.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are extremely confident. They know the high expectations staff have for them, and they rise to the occasion. For instance, children listen to staff and act promptly to follow instructions. They tidy up swiftly and thoroughly, ready to move on to the next activity. Staff empower children to be independent from their earliest days. Babies, for instance, can reach their own bags and coats. Younger children learn from older children, who are fantastic role models. For example, they fetch dustpans and brushes to sweep the spilt sand, and they help younger children to find their boots to wear outdoors. There is a very positive culture of care, kindness and respect throughout the setting. Children demonstrate consistently positive attitudes to each other and their learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are highly passionate about their role. They empower staff to be champions, building an exceptionally strong team. Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of how children learn. They ensure that staff training and development is at the forefront of their minds, continually strengthening the staff team. Leaders are constantly looking to move forward to ensure the best possible teaching for children. n Leaders readily identify where changes in the curriculum are necessary to meet children's needs. They invest heavily in staff development to ensure that staff are confident with changes. For example, all staff are highly skilled at delivering speech and language interventions. For instance, they play very engaging games and sing silly songs to help children hear initial letter sounds. Children laugh with delight at the exciting but effective teaching activities. This support is excellent, and children make outstanding progress in their communication.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are extremely strong. Leaders and staff work very hard to ensure that all parents are informed and engaged with their children's learning. For instance, they help parents to understand what children are learning as they play. Parents report on the exceptional communication by staff and leaders and the outstanding and highly reassuring support they offer. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from highly individualised support. All staff know how to support children with SEND.

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need to do better?

17 October 2024 This inclusive practice ensures that children make excellent progress. Staff use additional funding very effectively, such as to provide wide entry doorways in dens for children to easily access and play in. All children have the same outstanding opportunities to play and learn. n Leaders and staff have a thorough knowledge of the children they care for. They use this to build on children's learning even further and develop their essential life skills. For instance, staff precisely plan activities that they know will motivate children very effectively to join in. Children spend exceptionally long periods of time playing, engrossed in their explorations and learning. They are deeply engaged and curious learners. n Children have very effective support from staff for their emotional well-being. This is an exceptional strength of the staff team. Staff help children to recognise their emotions and how to regulate them. For instance, when children get scared

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need to do better?

on the swing, staff swiftly explain to children why they might be afraid and what they may be feeling physically. This helps children to understand their feelings and try again. Children show remarkable resilience to setbacks they encounter as they play. They beam with sheer delight at their achievements. n Staff deploy themselves very effectively to support children. They understand where and when to support children's learning. For instance, staff are readily available for lively discussions, prompting children to think, plan ideas and test them out. Staff use thought-provoking questions and set out superb invitations to play, as well as offering children plenty of time and attention. Staff encourage deeply meaningful and purposeful learning. n Children are highly motivated by the superb outdoor learning environment that staff provide. Staff offer children many opportunities they may not have at home, such as growing trees. Staff stimulate children's sense of awe and

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need to do better?

wonder. For instance, there are amazing spaces for children to explore and the natural world to discover. Staff respond to children's interests, adding in meaningful songs and making links. They build very successfully on what children know and can do.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543916 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10364249 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Big Discoveries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07860 787398 Date of previous inspection 31 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Big Discoveries Nursery registered in 2017 and operates from Portchester Community Centre, Fareham. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, for 49 weeks of the year. There are eight staff working with the children. The manager and another member of staff hold level 6 qualifications. Four members of staff are qualified at level 3. The nursery receives funding for the provision of early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend for the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to the staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the leaders and the manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of the suitability of the staff. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

17 October 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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