S4YC @ Mickle Trafford Preschool

Inspection of S4YC @ Mickle Trafford Preschool Mickle Trafford Preschool, School Lane, Mickle Trafford, Chester CH2 4EF

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily at this nursery. They are confident to leave their parents and carers at the beginning of the day. Children are keen to include staff and their peers in their imaginative play. They pretend to make pizza in the role-play area and discuss what toppings are available. Staff support older children to consider where they live as they look at an atlas together. Children speculate about which cities are close to them. Children begin to learn about the world around them.

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The provision is good

Staff combine singing sessions with storytelling to engage toddlers. They laugh as they follow staff around the room singing songs, such as 'The Wheels on the Bus' and 'Tiny Turtle'. Staff make the sessions fun and engaging by varying their tone and pace. This promotes children's active participation and language development. Staff gently settle babies using soothing techniques, such as cuddles and rocking, to help them to build secure attachments.

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The provision is good

Children love the time they spend outdoors. They build their large muscles, such as when they ride on bicycles and scooters. Older children learn balance, coordination and confidence as they negotiate the climbing frame. Younger children roll and stretch in the ball pit. They stretch up and bend down as they chase balloons and balls. Children develop their fine motor skills, such as when staff encourage them to roll, poke and pinch play dough.

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need to do better?

n Younger children display a positive approach to their learning and follow staff's expectations for their behaviour. However, in contrast, staff do not consistently help older children to understand and follow the rules and boundaries of the setting. Consequently, children's learning is often disrupted, and they do not develop the necessary skills to fully comprehend and manage their behaviour independently. n The management team has designed a curriculum with an emphasis on supporting children's communication and language, emotional stability and well- being. However, at times, children's learning often occurs incidentally rather than through staff planning intentionally for it. This means that the delivery of the curriculum does not always prioritise all areas of learning. As a result, children's opportunities to develop a well-rounded foundation for their future learning are not consistent. n Staff provide children with access to writing tools to make marks and practise

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need to do better?

their early writing skills. When children describe that they have drawn a 'wiggly worm', staff support their thought process by introducing a book about a worm. They read together quietly, and staff give children time to speculate and suggest that animals and insects, such as worms, birds and slugs, can be found in a

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need to do better?

21 January 2025 'courtyard'. Children begin to make connections between their creations and real-life concepts. n The nursery receives highly positive feedback from parents, who praise the dedicated staff for their attentiveness, effective communication and ability to support children's individual needs. Parents appreciate the regular online updates that they receive about their children. n The management team is highly regarded by staff, who describe managers as approachable and actively involved in the daily operations of the setting. Staff appreciate the emphasis placed on their emotional well-being. They value the structured support and ongoing training opportunities they receive. n Staff support children's communication and language development effectively. They help babies to expand their vocabularies by naming images, foods and objects, while older children engage enthusiastically in games such as hiding

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need to do better?

objects. Through these activities, staff introduce new vocabulary and progressively support children to become capable communicators. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive good support. Staff work closely with parents to gather essential information to meet each child's unique needs. The nursery quickly identifies and addresses gaps in children's learning and makes prompt referrals to external agencies. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points in development. n Care routines are respectful. Staff use interactive approaches, such as singing during handwashing routines, to foster children's positive habits and awareness of hygiene. The nursery encourages healthy eating. Staff help children to understand the benefits of the milk and food they consume. n Staff promote children's independence by encouraging them to use cutlery, peel fruit and manage tasks, such as putting on their coats with appropriate support.

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need to do better?

These practices help children to build confidence, self-reliance and essential life skills.

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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 implement strategies that help older children to understand and regulate their behaviour to help them be better prepared for the next stage of their learning n plan more intentionally to prioritise all areas of learning to provide children with more opportunities to develop a foundation for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2696582 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10363718 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 56 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person S4YC Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07734705559 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

S4YC @ Mickle Trafford Preschool registered in July 2022 and is situated in Mickle Trafford, Cheshire. The nursery opens all year round, from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. It employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five staff hold qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

21 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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