The Sheffield Children's Centre

Inspection of The Sheffield Children's Centre 101 Shoreham Street, SHEFFIELD S1 4SR

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children make rapid progress from their starting points. They have autonomy in their play and learning and are highly motivated and eager to join in with activities. Children continually build on their knowledge and experiences over time. They swiftly develop the skills they need for their future learning, particularly children with special educational need and/or disabilities (SEND). Children's transitions into the setting and onto school are carefully thought out, so children settle quickly and form secure bonds with staff and other children.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are consistently exposed to and encouraged to use new vocabulary that enables them to communicate effectively. Staff are highly skilled in using sign language alongside verbal cues to help them communicate. Children speak with confidence and are supported to use their home languages. Babies wiggle with excitement during a 'sing and sign' session. They copy actions and listen to a wealth of words. They use their mouth to make a variety of sounds and listen to rhythms in language. Children smile widely and babble in their interactions with staff and each other.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have high levels of respect for staff and other children. They are self- assured in social situations and are keen to know why visitors are in the nursery. They demonstrate their understanding of why behaviour rules are in place and recognise the impact that their behaviour has on others. Overall, children demonstrate high levels of self-control. When children struggle to manage their emotions or behaviour, staff are calm and patient, taking, swift and highly effective action to support them.

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need to do better?

n Leaders demonstrate an exceptional commitment to the continuing improvement of the setting and are highly ambitious in their drive to provide excellent care and learning. Additional funding is targeted well to enhance learning for children. For example, the garden is undergoing further development to ensure children who prefer to learn outdoors always have access to high-quality resources. This, alongside workshops for parents to help them promote outdoor play, means children have many more opportunities to learn in the natural environment. n Leaders have an in-depth understanding of their highly diverse community and the families who use their service. They provide a food and clothing bank for families who may be struggling, and support parents in liaising with other professionals. Leaders promote a healthy lifestyle and work with parents to promote children's oral health, including having a dentist visit the nursery

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need to do better?

regularly. Leaders are highly successful at giving children a rich set of experiences that promote an understanding of other people, families and

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need to do better?

30 January 2025 communities beyond their own. n Staff promote children's love of reading. Books are used highly successfully to promote children's learning in a wide range of subjects, such as animals, minibeasts and understanding emotions. Staff model new words for children, such as 'millipede' and 'scorpion'. There is no community library available so parents frequently borrow books and story bags to share with their children at home. These help parents with a range of issues, such as supporting toilet training and using objects of reference to promote communication with their children. n Children build their physical skills highly successfully during outdoor play. The exceptionally well-equipped outdoor area offers a wealth of opportunities, and particularly benefits children who do not have access to an outdoor space. Children build their core strength using hula hoops. They learn to assess risk as

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need to do better?

they climb and slide. Children navigate wobbly bridges and slide down a firefighters' pole, which promotes their balance, coordination and strength. n Leaders recognise that some staff need additional support to implement the curriculum highly effectively and give children the best opportunities to extend their learning, They have a clear and sharply focused professional development plan in place to help staff in raising their skills to the highest level. This means practitioners' skills and knowledge continually build and develop over time. Leaders are very aware of the pressures on staff and their workload. Any issues are dealt with appropriately and promptly. Staff work exceptionally well as a team. They support each other and feel they receive excellent support for their wellbeing from leaders. n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. They are fully involved in nursery life and feel that support for them and their children is superb. Parents receive a

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need to do better?

wealth of information to support their children's learning at home and keep them safe. Parent workshops help them to develop their skills and knowledge so that they can give children the best opportunities to progress at home. For example, occupational therapists provide training for parents in promoting a 'sensory diet'. This supports children who struggle to process sensory information, so they can attend nursery, learn and manage their own behaviour more successfully.

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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 300808 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10377103 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 54 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person Sheffield Children's Centre Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0114 279 8236 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Sheffield Children's Centre registered in 1994. The centre employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or higher, including early years professional status. The centre opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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. n The provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together. They discussed how the provider organised different aspects of learning. n The inspector spoke to children about activities they enjoy when they attend the setting. They spoke to staff about how the provider supports their wellbeing, and their professional development. n The inspector considered parents' feedback and discussed working with different families with the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of education. She talked to the provider about how they evaluate the provision and support staff's ongoing professional development. n The inspector carried out a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager.

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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

30 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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