Smallworld Day Nursery

Smallworld Day Nursery 2 North Green, Staindrop, DARLINGTON, County Durham, DL2 3JN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 March 2017 22 April 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 quality of teaching is good. Staff use their good understanding of the needs and interests of individual children to provide a wide range of exciting learning opportunities, both inside and outside. Staff use observations and assessments well to establish what children need to learn next.  The manager has a clear vision for the nursery. She has good systems for evaluating the nursery and is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement. The views of staff and parents are used to support self-evaluation systems. This helps to develop the nursery and maintain continuous improvement.  Partnerships with parents are a particular strength of this nursery. Parents contribute to initial assessments of children's starting points and are kept well informed about their children's progress. Parents speak highly of the nursery and are encouraged to share information about their children's learning and development at home.

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This provision is good

 Staff use effective questioning techniques and encourage children to think and respond for themselves. This helps to promote children's communication and language development.  Staff are good role models for children. They are kind and polite, and remind children to use good manners. Staff praise children for their achievements, which helps them to develop good levels of self-esteem.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Managers are not yet analysing the information gathered from assessments to track the progress of different groups of children.  Staff do not always provide enough opportunities for children to concentrate and engage more deeply in their activities.

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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

 strengthen the arrangements for analysing the achievements made by different groups of children to ensure they make the best progress possible  provide more opportunities for children to become deeply engaged in activities and develop their levels of concentration.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of 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. The manager and staff show a good understanding of how to keep children safe from harm. They can recognise the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and neglect, and know what to do if they have concerns regarding a child's welfare. The manager carries out observations of staff practice to assess the quality of their teaching. Furthermore, she uses opportunities, such as staff meetings and supervision sessions, to reflect on their practice. Staff attend a wide variety of training. This helps to raise the quality of teaching. Robust policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place and implemented efficiently by staff. Staff are developing partnerships with other settings to help support children's care and learning during transitions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the nursery. The outdoor area is well resourced. Older children play together well as they make strawberry soup in the mud kitchen. Staff play alongside children and ask well-timed questions, allowing children time to respond. This helps to foster their imagination and communication skills. Children enjoy plenty of physical activities. Outside, they access a range of tyres, drainpipes and wheeled toys. Furthermore, they take part in regular sport classes and dance along to stories. They enjoy moving to the beat of the words. This helps to develop their physical and social skills. Children's mathematical skills are supported well by staff. Lunchtime is used to encourage them to count the number of children present. Young children are confident and motivated to try new activities. For example, babies are excited as they explore paint and make marks with their hands and feet.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are developing good self-care skills and independence. They enjoy preparing fruit for snack time and they engage in discussions at lunchtime about healthy eating. Children's behaviour is managed well. Staff are consistent in their approach and speak to children in a calm and sensitive manner. This helps children to understand the difference between right and wrong. A well-established key-person system helps children form secure attachments and promotes their emotional well-being. Staff take time to settle children in gradually. They take time to get to know families and children before they start at the nursery. Relationships between staff and babies are sensitive, stimulating and responsive.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and are well prepared for their eventual move to school. Children take part in fun, interesting experiences. This helps them to develop new skills and become motivated learners. Staff support children's developing literacy and mathematical skills. They provide engaging opportunities for mark making, counting and comparing. Older children are developing good physical skills as they happily run, jump and balance outside. Younger children skilfully experiment as they explore natural objects, textures and materials.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY454088 Local authority Durham Inspection number 1066376 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 - 8 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Small World Staindrop Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 April 2013 Telephone number 01833660004

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reference number

Smallworld Day Nursery was registered in 2012. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff, 11 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. 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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