Bluebell Hill Children's Nursery

Inspection of Bluebell Hill Children's Nursery The Circus, Seaville Drive, EASTBOURNE, East Sussex BN23 6LJ

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The new and inspired leadership team has taken swift and effective measures to address the weaknesses identified during the last inspection. Children are welcomed into a safe and happy environment where they are at the centre of the affectionate and nurturing practice of staff. They develop strong bonds with staff, who support their emotional development well. For example, babies seek out staff for reassurance and cuddles, while staff help older children to express their needs in words.

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The provision is good

Children play in an exciting environment that is planned around their needs and stages of development. Staff know what the children enjoy, their interests and skills, and they use this to sequence a curriculum that is as educational as it is fun. For example, children challenge their balance and core stability when they walk across the sensory path or develop strength in their shoulders when they sweep with brooms. This provides children with opportunities to improve and practise key physical skills.

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The provision is good

Staff have clear boundaries and expectations for children's behaviour. Leaders have worked hard to implement strategies with staff and parents to support a consistent framework for children's behaviour. Children learn to respect one another and know right from wrong. They develop lovely friendships, helped by their increased awareness of the impact their behaviour has on others.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are highly evaluative and reflect on how they can make effective changes in the setting. They involve children, staff and parents in new plans and initiatives right from the outset. This means they can take account of their opinions and views to create a curriculum that is highly inclusive and tailored to the needs of all children and families. n The curriculum is well sequenced and devised around the setting's intent for children's learning. Staff regularly assess children's learning to help them make progress and build skills and knowledge. For example, staff use a literacy curriculum that increases children's knowledge of books and develops richer vocabulary from when they start in the baby room until they leave for school. n Although the curriculum is understood and well delivered by staff, there are some aspects of the leaders' new procedures and policies that are yet to be fully embedded. For example, leaders do not always monitor closely to ensure staff

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need to do better?

record all routine tasks and incidents. This leads to inconsistency in some information leaders require as part of their oversight of the setting. n Staff plan activities that delight and stimulate children's curiosity. For example, children listen to a story while they dig in mud to find worms. Older children

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need to do better?

11 July 2025 work together to create an ice-cream shop with construction toys. Babies pull themselves to standing in their enthusiasm to see what staff have put on the low tables. Children are busy and occupied when they learn new skills, and they practise and improve those they already have. n Staff provide children with routines that support their understanding of the importance of good nutrition, rest and exercise. Children demonstrate wonderful independence skills from a young age. Sometimes, however, during mealtimes and transition times in the baby room, staff are less organised and prepared, which disrupts an otherwise calm atmosphere. n Staff plan a wide range of activities that help children to feel part of their community. Babies look at home-made books about their families. Older children engage in activities outside of the setting that help them to understand the geography and environment of their town. Staff prepare children for life in the

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need to do better?

wider world when they learn about each other's lives, festivals and traditions. n Partnerships with parents are strong. For example, staff plan workshops and events to help families understand the early years curriculum. They provide information, advice and support to maintain continuity of children's care across home and the setting. However, staff do not always seek sufficient information from parents to fully support those children who speak English as an additional language. n Staff well-being is high and their pride and professionalism shine. Although leaders accept that any change is hard, staff embrace new opportunities, training and teaching strategies. This has led to a deeper sense of empowerment among the team members, who strive to provide children with high standards of care and education.

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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 monitor staff practice more closely to help embed consistency of staff record keeping of routines and incidents n improve staff deployment during times of change in the routine to help maintain a calm environment for young children n enhance communication and information sharing with parents whose children speak English as an additional language, to further support children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY363614 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10410535 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 144 Name of registered person Chauntry Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01323 724 017 Date of previous inspection 29 January 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Bluebell Hill Children's Nursery is one of three nurseries run by Chauntry Childcare Ltd. It opened in 2007 and is situated in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The setting receives nursery education funding for children aged from nine months to four years. There is a staff team of 22, of whom 17 have recognised early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The manager holds qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider. n The managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation. 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 spoke with children, parents and staff and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

11 July 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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