The Play Hut

The Play Hut 347 North Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 3BL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 September 2016 3 October 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The provider is very ambitious. She has thorough plans for the development of the nursery. The provider actively seeks the opinions of staff and parents to inform her action planning.  Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They use what they know about children's interests to plan interesting learning experiences for each child. Children have opportunities to develop across all areas of learning.  The manager monitors the range of activities provided effectively. This enables her to quickly identify areas where children may require additional support.  Children behave well. They are responsive to the warm and welcoming staff who are positive role models for children.  Staff know children well. They gather useful information from parents when children first begin attending and as they move through the nursery. Children feel confident to approach staff for support or a cuddle when they are feeling tired or upset.

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This provision is good

 Children are well supported as they prepare to move through the nursery and on to school. They are encouraged to talk about their feelings and staff help them to get to know their new key person or teacher.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always give enough consideration to ways they can effectively support the older children's mathematical development during activities.  Occasionally, assessments of children's learning are not yet rigorous and sharply focused.

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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

 develop further opportunities for older children to develop mathematical skills  enhance the good systems for assessing children's learning further, to ensure that all information from observations is used to meticulously and precisely identify when children need extra help at the earliest of opportunities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have a good knowledge of the internal and external reporting procedures to raise concerns about the welfare of a child. They have robust procedures in place to protect children from harm. Partnership working is good. Parents report that they feel well informed about their children's activities and progress. Parents are encouraged to make contributions to children's progress assessments, helping to inform their starting points. Staff make good use of information gathered from parents to extend children's learning. The providers have high expectations for the staff. Staff are suitably qualified and they, in turn, have high expectations for what each child can achieve. There is a detailed performance management system in place which both supports staff and monitors training needs. This creates a positive culture and atmosphere within the nursery. The commitment to supporting children to do their best is

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work very well with parents and other agencies to implement effective strategies to support all children. Children who have special educational needs or disability make progress alongside their peers. Staff encourage children to explore with their senses. For example, children enjoy exploring foam and trying to blow it off their hands. Staff use questions effectively to promote children's language skills. Children are regularly observed by staff who set them challenging targets to develop their skills. Overall, the learning environment is well planned and organised. Children can make independent selections from a range of high-quality resources. They are encouraged to use these to follow their own interests. The outdoor provision affords children many opportunities for learning. They develop their physical coordination and early literacy skills. One of the ways they do this is by using large brushes to make marks with water.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are kept safe by staff who conduct regular risk assessments to identify and manage hazards. Children can navigate spaces successfully and cooperate with daily routines that help to keep them safe. For example, they wait in line so that staff can count how many are present before they go out to play. Children are developing good social skills, relative to their stages of development. They begin to wait for a turn with the more popular resources. Older children thoughtfully make space at story time so that everyone can see the book. Children are provided with fresh and healthy meals and mealtimes are enjoyable social events. Hygiene routines are suitably embedded in practice to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Children learn about the world around them and how to be respectful of others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in all areas of learning. They are developing positive attitudes towards learning and respond well to praise. Children are encouraged to keep on trying to achieve something that they find difficult or challenging. This heightens their sense of achievement, for example, as they manage to recognise numbers and letters.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301135 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 1063894 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 69 Number of children on roll 121 Name of registered person Play Hut Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 October 2013 Telephone number 01325 362526

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reference number

The Play Hut was registered in 1994. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two with early years professional status or qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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