Playmates II

Playmates II 55-57 Murray Street, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS26 8PQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 April 2015 12 October 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching is outstanding. The well-qualified staff provide an exceptional and varied range of high-quality learning experiences inside and outdoors. As a result, children are motivated and eager to learn. This means all children are extremely well prepared for their next stage in learning, including school.  Staff develop excellent partnerships with parents who are constantly involved and very well informed about their children's progress and achievements. Parents are actively engaged in their children's learning in the setting and at home through daily updates, regular meetings about their children's progress and access to their child's development records.  Staff have an excellent understanding of how to protect children. Stringent safeguarding and child protection procedures ensure all children are kept extremely safe within the nursery.  Rigorous self-evaluation and a targeted programme of professional development ensure

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This provision is outstanding

that all staff consistently improves their already excellent understanding and practice.  The manager has highly effective monitoring systems for children's learning and development. These ensure that staff's planning and assessment are consistent and precise. Any gaps or delays in children's progress are quickly identified and necessary targeted support provided.  The management team brings great stability to the nursery. The owner, who is also the manager, is very 'hands-on' in the nursery and she is an inspirational leader. Staff respond very well to her enthusiasm and they work closely with her to constantly meet children's needs.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 build on the development of peer observations so that all staff have the opportunity for open and constructive feedback to further develop their already excellent practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playrooms and the outdoor learning areas.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager, held discussions with staff and spoke with children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's development records, the nursery's self-evaluation form, evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery and a range of other records, policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to at the inspection.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff observe children as they play and plan for their individual needs and next stage of learning. Teaching is inspirational as staff play alongside children and engage them in challenging activities, which ignite children's imagination and curiosity. For example, pre- school children investigate what happens to blocks of ice and make suggestions for how they can make it melt faster. They mix and stir powder paints with the melting ice to see what colours they can make. Younger children develop early mark-making skills as they make marks in a thick dessert mixture. This also involves them in using their senses to explore what the mixture feels and tastes like. Staff are skilled at extending children's vocabulary. They pronounce words clearly, use lots of descriptive language and demonstrate consistently high communication skills. For children who speak English as an additional language, staff ask parents for words in their language that they can use to

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outstanding

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. Staff are friendly and approachable and the playrooms are calm and inviting. An individual key person is assigned for each child and a buddy takes over in their absence. This supports children's emotional well- being and a mutual sharing of information with parents. Staff enthusiastically promote healthy lifestyles and the importance of exercise through daily access to the outdoor areas. Babies learn to crawl and pull themselves up on play equipment. As children get older, they play in the sand and ride push along toys. Children plant flowers and understand that they need to water them to help them grow. Children's behaviour is managed exceptionally well. Staff effectively use distraction techniques to divert children's attention and give them meaningful praise when they do well. Children are successfully learning about self-care and personal hygiene through consistent routines and staff

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outstanding

support. They become independent as they learn how to serve their own meals at lunch time. This helps them to make their own choices.

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provision is outstanding

The majority of the well-established and committed staff team have worked at the nursery for a long time. There are effective procedures in place to support the safe selection and recruitment of new staff. The manager holds appraisals and staff meetings, which enables her to sharply focus evaluations of staff practice. Management are in the process of introducing peer observations, to enable all staff to focus on their strengths and areas for further development. Staff work very closely with other professionals, such as hearing impairment specialists and physiotherapists. They all liaise regularly to focus their efforts on overcoming children's difficulties. Staff work in partnership and communicate with other settings that children attend and schools that children will move on to. Staff visit the school with children and teachers visit the nursery to get to know the children. This helps to prepare children emotionally for the move when the time comes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280880 Local authority Hartlepool Inspection number 848664 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 104 Number of children on roll 163 Name of provider Playmates Private Day Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 12 October 2011 Telephone number 01429 272500

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Setting details

Playmates II nursery was registered in 2004. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, apart from bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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