Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Ltd

Inspection of Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Ltd Little Marsden Parish Centre, 194 Hibson Road, Nelson BB9 0DZ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is outstanding

This nursery provides a distinctive learning environment, where staff recognise every child is unique. Staff know children exceptionally well. They design a curriculum that is ambitious, flexible and responsive to children's changing needs. Staff are highly reflective, continually learning from children and adapting plans to build on their ideas and experiences. This personalised approach ensures that all children make excellent progress from their starting points in development. The intent and implementation of the curriculum are consistently embedded across the nursery. Staff prioritise children's communication, language and literacy development. Children who have gaps in their development receive highly effective support to help them to catch up rapidly.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Support for children's personal development is a particular strength in the nursery. Staff support children to recognise and manage their emotions and to reflect on how their behaviour affects others. For instance, children politely request resources and share them without prompting. They show kindness and respect, alongside consistently positive attitudes to learning. This is evident in children's sustained concentration and enjoyment. Well-qualified staff skilfully plan from children's interests to inspire their independence and resilience. Children confidently make choices, use their imaginations and persist with tasks until they succeed. Staff intervene sensitively, offering guidance only when needed. As a result, children flourish as confident and capable learners. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The nursery places children's well-being at the heart of its planning. Staff weave themes, such as feelings, family life, celebrations and achievements, through daily practice. They skilfully use birthdays, reward ceremonies and routines around behaviour and turn taking to build children's self-esteem and social skills. Staff ensure that their planning includes all children. Staff remain reflective and adapt learning from children's own ideas and experiences. Subsequently, all children feel valued and develop resilience. They thrive as confident and respectful learners. n The nursery provides a language-rich environment that strongly promotes children's communication skills. Staff skilfully ask effective questions and allow children time to think and reply. Through stories, songs and rhymes, they extend children's vocabulary and introduce new language. Staff encourage children to share personal experiences, such as recent trips to farms or zoos, to spark

p.2

need to do better?

meaningful conversations. Children who speak English as an additional language receive highly effective support. Staff celebrate children's home languages, using familiar words and visual prompts. As a result, all children develop confidence as

p.2

need to do better?

19 August 2025 articulate and expressive communicators. n Children who have recently turned three years old demonstrate impressive social skills and independence. During snack time, they look to their peers for support, such as asking their friends to help open a butter lid. They make sure that other children have a cracker and pass items around without needing adult intervention. These skills are firmly embedded through the curriculum. Staff place a strong focus on cooperation, turn taking and helping others. As a result, children show kindness, responsibility and the ability to work together confidently. n The nursery has exceptionally strong links with local schools, which significantly ease children's transitions. Reception class teachers visit to share guidance on what children need to know before starting school. Where no direct links exist, staff research the school and teachers, providing children with photos to prompt

p.2

need to do better?

discussion. Therefore, children move on to school with confidence and familiarity. n Leadership is highly effective. The committed management team is ambitious and driven by a clear vision for excellence. It guides the nursery with purpose, underpinned by shared values that raise children's outcomes. Staff speak positively about the strong support they receive for their well-being. Leaders use regular team meetings and supervision sessions to ensure that there is effective communication and that staff grow professionally. Staff express that they love working at the nursery and feel exceptionally well supported by leaders. Consequently, children thrive in a nurturing environment, where staff are motivated to give their very best. n Partnerships with parents and carers are exceptionally strong. For families who speak English as an additional language, staff translate information so that parents clearly understand their child's progress. Parents speak very positively

p.3

need to do better?

about their children's experiences, commenting that staff always have time for them. They are extremely well informed about their child's learning and receive practical and achievable ideas to continue this at home. Parents feel confident and well supported. All children benefit from a consistent approach between home and the nursery.

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

Setting details

Unique reference number 2726503 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10399259 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 138 Number of children on roll 113 Name of registered person Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01282931310 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Smartypants Exclusive Childcare Ltd originally registered in 2007 and re-registered in 2023 when moving to its current location. The nursery employs 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including six members of staff who have qualifications at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The nursery offers government-funded childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The nursery manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The inspector and the manager completed a joint observation of a planned group activity. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the provider and manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided for all children, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector discussed how staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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

19 August 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