Audley and Queen's Park Children's Centre

Inspection of Audley and Queen's Park Children's Centre Pringle Street, BLACKBURN BB1 1SF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy, safe and settled in this caring setting. Staff are kind, welcoming and good role models. They help children to feel secure and confident from the start. For example, staff offer children reassuring cuddles when needed. They build warm and trusting relationships and respond sensitively to children's individual needs. Staff support children to understand expectations through effective teaching. For example, they sing the 'tidy-up song' to help prepare for circle time or outdoor play. Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in their setting. Their behaviour is good.

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The provision is good

The setting's curriculum is securely embedded and ambitious for all children. It has a current focus on children's communication and language and their personal, social and emotional development. Children develop increasing independence in managing their self-care routines. They demonstrate good hygiene habits and begin to understand why handwashing is important, particularly before meals and snacks. Children also develop an understanding of good oral health. Throughout the day, all children access drinking water independently, which supports their understanding of healthy lifestyles.

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The provision is good

Staff assess children effectively across the setting to ensure that the curriculum and teaching reflect what children need the most. They quickly identify children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff put support in place to help bridge gaps in children's development.

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need to do better?

n The provider did not notify Ofsted of a significant event, as required. The provider now demonstrates, through discussion, a clear understanding of their responsibilities to notify Ofsted. Leaders have established clear systems that support staff's development and ensure consistent, high-quality care for all children. They use robust induction procedures, supervision sessions and targeted training to help to maintain continuity and address individual staff's needs. Leadership is reflective and committed to ongoing improvement. n Partnerships with parents and carers are a real strength. Staff maintain communication through settling-in sessions, daily updates through an online app and face-to-face interactions. They ensure that all families are included through staff who speak dual languages and translated materials. Parents comment positively on the excellent support they receive in helping their children,

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need to do better?

including access to parent workshops. They also receive information in their home languages, as well as home learning packs, to support continuity of care and children's development at the setting and at home. n Staff and leaders provide strong support for children with SEND. They make

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need to do better?

5 September 2025 timely referrals to ensure that children receive early intervention from other professionals where required. Furthermore, children who speak English as an additional language receive targeted support. Staff use regular reviews to check that all children make good progress. n Staff promote children's physical development through hands-on activities. Children develop their small muscles, such as by manipulating dough and practising mark making with pencils and paint, supporting their early writing skills. Outdoors, children build their large muscles. For example, they ride bicycles around the garden and participate in sports day, which also supports their social skills. n Overall, staff support children's communication and language development well. They model new language and provide additional support for less-verbal children, such as teaching simple signs to help them to participate in activities

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need to do better?

such as circle time. However, there are inconsistencies in the quality of staff's interactions and the use of questioning. This sometimes limits opportunities to extend children's learning and develop their communication fully. n Children generally demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. However, at times, staff do not implement planned group activities effectively. For example, during musical and physical sessions, some children lose interest as the sessions are too long. Similarly, during small-group times, rising background noise affects children's concentration and engagement. This means that, at times, some children do not fully benefit from the intended learning. n Overall, children's transitions into and through the setting are effective. Staff help new children to settle quickly, using stories to support children's understanding of the nursery routine. However, the current key-person system is

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need to do better?

not always effective due to very recent staff changes, meaning that some staff have not had sufficient time to develop strong bonds and get to know their key children. This does not consistently support children's emotional well-being.

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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 strengthen staff's interactions to support children's communication and language development more consistently n continue to develop group times so they are tailored to meet all children's needs n strengthen handover processes between outgoing and incoming key persons to enhance continuity of care and support children's emotional well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY287349 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10398543 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 77 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

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reference number

Telephone number 01254 507 750 Date of previous inspection 28 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Audley and Queen's Park Children's Centre registered in 2004 and is situated in Blackburn, Lancashire. The setting employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, one member of staff holds qualified teacher status and eight staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 8.40am until 3.20pm. The setting provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n Leaders joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The teacher and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and parents 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

5 September 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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