Small Talk Nurseries

Inspection of Small Talk Nurseries The Former Hearing Centre, Cottage Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 1RE

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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

Staff provide children with a welcoming environment. They build strong relationships with the children, who demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They arrive at the nursery eager to greet their friends and the caring staff. Children quickly become engaged in their chosen activity. Staff support children to develop their independence skills. As children arrive, they find their pegs and hang up their coats and bags. Babies learn to feed themselves and older children learn to put on their own coats and shoes. Staff support children to develop their communication skills. They initiate conversations with children and ask questions. This helps children to develop their thinking skills and solve problems. For example, as children explore ice that has formed in the nursery garden, staff ask children 'where has it come from?' and 'why is it melting?' Children enjoy their morning music session. They sing enthusiastically and take turns choosing the next song.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with plenty of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children have fun as they climb, use wheeled toys and play chasing games.

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The provision is good

All children make good progress from their starting points. They develop the skills and attitudes they need for their next stage of learning, including their eventual move on to school.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have devised a well-sequenced, ambitious curriculum that is understood and implemented effectively by staff throughout the nursery. Staff work closely with parents and external agencies to ensure that children who need additional support have targeted plans in place. Leaders ensure that any additional funding the nursery receives is used effectively, such as for one-to-one support to help target any gaps in children's learning and development. n The enthusiastic management team and staff have high expectations for all children. The high level of qualified staff and good teaching practice have a positive impact on the learning experiences that all children receive. Leaders carry out regular observations of staff practice. They use these opportunities to identify future training to further enhance the quality of teaching. n Staff maintain a vigilant risk assessment process, indoors and outdoors, to

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need to do better?

ensure the environment remains a safe place for children. Access to the nursery is closely monitored and visitors are vetted before they are allowed entry to the premises. n Staff have a calm and consistent approach. Children's behaviour is managed well. Children are polite, kind and thoughtful. They seek out others to join in their play. n Babies benefit from the good care and attention of the nurturing staff, who know the children well. For example, they know when children are hungry, tired or just

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need to do better?

9 January 2025 in need of a cuddle, and they respond promptly. This helps babies to settle quickly and feel safe and secure in the environment. n Staff support children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children learn about the benefits of exercise, fresh air and good oral health. Children enjoy nutritious meals provided by the nursery. As children eat, they say 'that's tasty' and 'it's my favourite'. n Throughout the nursery, children learn to count, recognise shapes and match numbers to quantities, and they learn simple addition and subtraction. However, at times, some staff do not build on what children already know and can do. n Leaders and staff place a strong focus on supporting children's language development. Staff support babies to develop their language skills through simple songs and rhymes. Two-year-old children learn to repeat phrases from stories and songs. Staff encourage pre-school children to talk about their

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need to do better?

interests and give opinions and ideas during discussions. n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to develop their small-muscle skills. Throughout the nursery, children learn to use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes, tongs and cutlery. Staff encourage babies to scoop sand into different containers. n At times, staff do not take account of the space available when planning whole- group activities, so children cannot always fully engage. For example, dance sessions take place in a confined space, which does not enable children to complete the actions without bumping into each other. n Staff support children to develop a love of books. Babies snuggle onto staff's laps as they listen to a story. Older children select books as they play. They handle books correctly and know print has meaning. n Parents talk about the good progress their children have made since attending

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need to do better?

the nursery, particularly in developing their confidence, social skills and speech. Parents appreciate the regular communication they receive from their children's key person. Parents say their children look forward to attending 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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should:

n support staff to consistently build on what children already know and can do n support staff to review the organisation of the learning environment to help to make sure there is enough space for children to fully participate and get the best from whole-group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2515666 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10379479 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 52 Number of children on roll 79 Name of registered person Small Talk Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07809482531 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Small Talk Nurseries registered in 2019 and is based in the Brierley Hill area of Dudley. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, with nine at level 3 and one at level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held meetings with the nursery manager to discuss how the curriculum and nursery are organised. The inspector also held meetings with the operations manager and area manager. n The manager carried out a joint observation with the inspector to evaluate the impact of teaching on children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact of this on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector and gave their views of the nursery. The inspector spoke to the special educational needs co-ordinator, staff and children at convenient times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and 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

9 January 2025 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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