The Old Station Nursery –Northfield

Inspection of The Old Station Nursery –Northfield 19 Woodland Road, Northfield, BIRMINGHAM, West Midlands B31 2HU

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Staff provide a kind and caring approach when they welcome children into the nursery. They sing soothingly to help children settle. This helps to reassure them that they are safe and gives them the confidence to find activities they want to play with. However, staff do not implement a coherent and well-sequenced curriculum. At times, children often wander between activities. This is because staff do not provide them with enough challenge in their curriculum. Staff are not always confident in their teaching techniques to help children remain engaged in their learning and to build or extend their knowledge and understanding. That said, management has identified this and have started to work with staff on raising the quality.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff role model respectful relationships with children. They come down to children's eye level to ask them if they can change their nappies or wipe their noses. Staff encourage older children to wipe their own noses. This helps to develop their self-care skills. There are inconsistencies in the way that staff manage children's behaviour. That said, children do follow simple instructions, and some children are beginning to share and take turns. Staff work together to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the support they need to help them with their development.

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need to do better?

n There have been some changes in staffing, and, as a result, the quality of teaching is not yet consistent. For example, children show some curiosity as they explore picture books about birds. Staff engage in conversation with them as they identify what they can see in the pictures. However, staff do not adapt their teaching to extend children's knowledge beyond what they already know. This means not all children make good progress in their learning. n Despite weaknesses in the quality of education, children generally do enjoy their time at the nursery. They explore the activities available to them. However, staff's lack of consideration with how they implement a challenging curriculum, means children quickly lose focus and interest in their learning and often wander around not engaging effectively. n Children form friendships. They encourage their friends to join them as they play chasing games in the garden. Children enjoy balancing and climbing safely on

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need to do better?

the equipment set out for them. Staff deploy themselves close by to provide support when needed, to keep children safe. Children listen to sounds in the garden and look out for different species of birds. Staff talk to children about what they see and can hear. This helps children to become aware of the world around them. n Staff manage children's behaviours inconsistently and because of this, children

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need to do better?

29 January 2025 test boundaries. For instance, when children wave toys around, staff tell them to stop. However, there is no explanation as to why this is not safe and that they may hurt others. n Staff deploy themselves effectively to meet children's needs during mealtimes. They support children to wash their hands in preparation for eating. Children enjoy a varied menu and share that they like the food. There are effective allergy management procedures in place to ensure that any children who have dietary requirements are given the correct food. n Parents do not receive sufficiently clear information to inform them about their children's learning and how they can support this at home. This means they are less informed than they could be. That said, parents do share that staff are caring and that their children enjoy their time at nursery. n Leaders and managers have been working with staff to build morale and well-

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need to do better?

being. Managers have worked closely with staff to help them understand their roles and responsibilities, through training and support. Staff comment that they feel these changes are positive and support is there when they require it. n Older children sit with staff to read stories together. They contribute their ideas of what might happen in the story as staff read to them about a rat on a horse. Younger children giggle with delight as they join in with a singing session and clap along as staff sing familiar songs to them. This helps children develop their vocabulary as they hear the words.

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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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Due date

provide more support for staff so they are clear with how they implement a coherent and well-sequenced curriculum that provides enough challenge to help children make good progress in their learning 05/03/2025

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Due date

ensure teaching is consistent and effective in helping children to build and extend on their knowledge and understanding 05/03/2025

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Due date

29 January 2025 support staff to consistently implement expectations of behaviours to enable children to learn how to manage these and to understand how their behaviour may affect others. 12/02/2025

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should:

n encourage staff to consistently share clear information with parents about how children are progressing in their learning and how they can support their child's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 227230 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10382582 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 40 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Buds Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 4758416 Date of previous inspection 1 September 2022

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Information about this early years setting

The Old Station Nursery - Northfield reregistered in 2022. The setting currently employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and two at level 2. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. The setting provides funded early education for children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the 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 that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

29 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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