Sandpit Nursery

Inspection of Sandpit Nursery 1st Safari Day Nurseries Ltd, Pitt Street, Barnsley S70 1AL

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at this welcoming nursery. Staff provide a well thought out and sequenced curriculum that links to children's interests. There is a strong emphasis on sensory exploration and the development of children's strength and coordination skills. For example, babies enjoy feeling sand on their hands. They progress from crawling to walking and use low-level equipment to pull themselves to standing. Babies pick up wooden pegs and place them independently in containers. Staff count one, two, as babies demonstrate their early hand-eye coordination skills. Toddlers and pre-school children explore with paint. They pick up different shaped items, dip them in paint and make marks on paper. Toddlers and pre-school children recognise some colours and the shapes they use, such as a circle and square. Outside, pre-school children show their physical skills as they step on tyres and walk across wooden planks, sometimes aided and unaided.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they are happy and feel secure in the care of staff. Staff sing and give lots of reassuring cuddles to babies, who quickly go off to sleep. Pre- school children say sorry to their friends when they splash them with water. Children learn how to make good friendships and resolve minor conflicts peaceably. These attributes provide a secure platform from which children can achieve at school and in later life.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have worked hard and collaboratively with the local authority to raise practice for children. There are good procedures in place to support children with additional learning needs. Funding is used well. Leaders and staff place a secure focus on their professional development to benefit children's learning. Effective systems are in place for the supervision of staff. Staff report high levels of support for their well-being. n Staff place a good focus on children's literacy development. They draw toddlers and pre-school children's attention to parts of the book, for example the front, back, spine, blurb, illustrator and author. Staff introduce new vocabulary to children in meaningful context. n Toddlers and pre-school children choose a hat they want to wear before staff read the book 'Hamilton's Hats'. Staff encourage children to count the hats in the story one to nine. Toddlers and pre-school children show how they can listen,

p.2

need to do better?

understand and answer questions. For example, they identify the squirrel in the corner of the page. Staff have extended conversations with children about why people wear hats, for instance, to stay safe from the heat of the sun. n Staff place a good focus on building children's early communication skills from the start. For example, they provide a narrative for babies play, introducing words as they go. Toddlers and pre-school children sing a range of songs, which

p.2

need to do better?

23 July 2025 they choose themselves. They request to sing some songs 'faster', showing their early understanding of tempo. Toddlers and pre-school children show their enjoyment of their play. For example, they raise their hands in the air to shout 'We are' as they sing the song, 'If you're happy and you know it'. n Staff introduce early counting to babies as they play. They use mathematical words, such as full and empty, as toddlers and pre-school children play with water. Staff talk about the shapes children use during creative play. However, there is scope to enhance the mathematical curriculum to extend and challenge children's learning even further. n Overall, staff impact positively on children's learning and development through their quality interactions. However, at times, where play is initiated by children, staff do not always introduce new elements that can challenge children's play. Therefore, some child-initiated activities do not consistently build on children's

p.2

need to do better?

existing knowledge and skills. n Toddlers and pre-school children line up ready to wash their hands before lunch. They develop very good independence and self-care skills. Toddlers and pre- school children serve their own food with support from staff where needed. They get their own cutlery and pour their own drink. Children develop the skills they will need when the time comes for their move on to school. n Staff and leaders use assessment well to check what children know and can do. They share information with parents through several means about their children's progress. Staff invite parents to many events, such as stay-and-play sessions. They provide good opportunities to share useful ideas about how parents can support their child's development at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to consistently build on children's existing knowledge and skills during their self-chosen play n consider the curriculum for mathematics to extend and challenge children's learning even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY501682 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 10374981 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 112 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person 1st Safari Day Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01226 200696 Date of previous inspection 14 October 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Sandpit Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in Barnsley. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above and one is unqualified. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, except for a week at Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery offers funded childcare places.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The managers and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 managers and the inspector carried out two joint observations. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

23 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6