Minnows Children's Day Nursery

Minnows Children's Day Nursery 39 Turford Avenue, MIDDLESBROUGH, Cleveland, TS3 9AT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 October 2016 10 April 2013

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Staff are not sufficiently attentive at mealtimes to ensure that they are on hand to help and support babies. Consequently, during the inspection, the individual needs of some babies were not met.  Staff do not always successfully guide families in accessing specialist advice for children who may require extra support.  Additional funding allocated to children is not used effectively.  Leaders have recently introduced a new system to track the progress of groups of children. Unfortunately, the data used has been interpreted incorrectly. Subsequently, focused teaching has not been directed towards the areas of learning that children need.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are happy and well settled and enjoy their time at the nursery.  The learning environment is well planned with a wide range of activities available for children. Children demonstrate high levels of independence. They are able to select resources for themselves and lead their own learning.  Parents receive regular information about their children's activities and achievements.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that the individual needs of babies are met at mealtimes 14/10/2016  assist parents to access relevant services from other agencies for children who may require additional support. 30/10/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 use additional funding appropriately to support the developmental needs of children who qualify for it  make effective use of data gathered from tracking systems to correctly focus teaching matched to children's needs.

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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 and the manager jointly observed an activity and discussed how she evaluates practice.  The inspector observed children and discussed their progress with their key person and the plans to support children in the next steps of their learning.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager, a representative of the provider and a representative from the local authority. She looked at relevant documentation, such as staff records and a range of policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents and received written feedback from other parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Leaders are not yet able to demonstrate how they have used additional funding appropriately to narrow gaps in children's learning. Leaders regularly evaluate what they do. The views of staff, parents and children are gathered and used to inform decisions. Leaders respond well to advice and guidance from other professionals and make regular changes to improve practice and safety. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff's suitability to work with children is checked when they join the team and on an ongoing basis. Staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding children. They follow policies and procedures to protect children and promote their welfare. Staff are supported in developing their practice through a training and development programme.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Recently introduced systems to track the progress of groups of children have not been monitored effectively. Consequently, teaching is based upon inaccurate information. Some children are not adequately supported in the next steps of their learning. Staff raise concerns about children's development with their families, in order to help them to access specialist support. However, on occasion, staff do not follow up these concerns, causing a delay in accessing targeted support for children in the nursery. Staff regularly share information on children's progress to engage parents in their child's learning. Staff have high expectations of most children and create interesting and challenging activities to extend their learning. They bring children's favourite books to life with engaging activities that relate to the characters in the story. Children use their physical skills as they explore the areas, extending their vocabulary as they talk about their play. Children enjoy

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

investigating natural materials in the environment. Babies explore a range of familiar objects, discovering different items and trying new ideas.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

On the day of the inspection, staff were not sufficiently attentive to the needs of babies when children were brought together in one group for a meal. Staff were preoccupied with supporting the older children, causing babies to wait unnecessarily for their lunch. Nevertheless, at other times, staff are sensitive to the needs of babies and young children and provide comfort and reassurance to them when they need it. Children are learning to be confident, independent and tolerant of others. They are forming friendships and developing an understanding of similarities and differences between themselves and others through a variety of activities and resources. Staff support children to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles and how to care for themselves and their friends. Leaders also make sure they share all they know about children as they transfer to school.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Some children are developing below expectations for their age. Gaps in learning are not closing quickly enough. Children are well behaved and are learning to share, take turns, listen and follow instructions in readiness for school. Children enjoy using their voices and expressing their ideas as they play. They are making secure progress in mathematics and literacy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY359117 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 1065020 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 54 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Nunthorpe Nurseries Group Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 April 2013 Telephone number 01642 245599

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reference number

Minnows Children's Day Nursery was registered in 2007 and is part of the Nunthorpe Nurseries Group chain of nurseries. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two at level 6, two at level 5 and one at level 4. 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. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs or disability.

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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

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

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