Explorers

Explorers Fountain Head Business Park, Etherley, BISHOP AUCKLAND, County Durham DL14 0LZ

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Inspection date 16 October 2018 Previous inspection date 10 December 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

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The provision is outstanding

n Staff have expert knowledge of the different ways that children learn. They provide highly appealing activities that are closely matched to children's interests and learning preferences. Plans to support individual children to build on what they already know and can do are exemplary. n Children have superb opportunities to learn about the natural world. For example, babies explore a range of natural resources and textures, while toddlers examine bugs they find. n Leaders scrutinise all aspects of practice to find ways to enhance outcomes for children. A culture of reflection and improvement is deeply embedded throughout the whole staff team, and parents are consulted about all developments. For example, they attend 'critical friends' meetings where their views are gathered and acted upon swiftly. n Children are remarkably enthusiastic learners who are consistently absorbed in activities. Their deep level of engagement in their learning contributes to the excellent

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The provision is outstanding

progress they make. n Parents consistently praise staff for their efforts to help children to feel secure and confident, particularly when they first start nursery or move to the next room. Highly effective arrangements help children to settle very quickly. They swiftly feel confident and at ease and develop warm, highly supportive relationships with staff. n Partnerships with parents, other settings and professionals are well embedded. Excellent communication between all those involved with children helps to reinforce their learning.

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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

n continue to evaluate the impact of new planning systems on the rates of progress made by children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed it's impact on children's learning and development. n The inspector had a tour of all the areas of the nursery. n The inspector completed a joint observation of an activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the deputy manager. She looked at a range of documents, including evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have excellent knowledge of issues that may affect a child's welfare and know what to do if they have any concerns. Continuous risk assessments help to provide a safe environment and accident records are scrutinised. Staff supervision is highly effective. Leaders have very high expectations and staff are eager to build on their qualifications. Professional development is focused on improving outcomes for children. For example, staff develop their understanding of how best to promote boys' learning. This helps to drive ongoing improvements to the already outstanding teaching. Leaders closely monitor staff's teaching. They are currently reviewing the recent changes to how staff plan for children's learning, to analyse the impact this has on the rates of progress children make.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff focus sharply on following children's ideas as they play and use spontaneous opportunities to build on their learning. They ensure the environment ignites children's curiosity and interests. For example, the construction area has been extended to engage boys further. They become engrossed while taking appliances apart with screwdrivers and spanners. Staff recognise that this helps to develop control and coordination, ready for writing. Group activities are highly effective. Staff adapt their teaching to ensure they meet individual children's learning needs precisely. Pre-school children show great perseverance and cooperation. They work together to balance planks to build a bridge.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff focus expertly on ensuring that children are taught how to keep themselves safe. Children demonstrate high levels of self-control and a remarkable understanding of risks. They explain how to use scissors safely and they independently mop up spillages from the water tray. Children understand the reasons for boundaries in the outdoor areas and adhere to them at all times. Mealtimes are relaxed occasions where staff seize opportunities to promote children's independence and social skills. Older children help to serve meals and babies capably feed themselves. Children flourish in the care of nurturing staff who know them extremely well. They demonstrate very high levels of self-esteem. The baby room is a very tranquil environment. Children are calm, engaged and giggle as they play.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make excellent progress and achieve exceptionally well. They are extremely well prepared for school. Those who show risk of slight delay in their learning are identified swiftly and benefit from first-rate interventions that help them to make rapid progress. Achievements in literacy and mathematics are above expectations. Pre-school children benefit from a language-rich environment and develop an excellent knowledge of letters and the sounds they represent. They use mathematical language frequently during play and begin to solve number problems independently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484958 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10062722 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 86 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Whitaker, Jenna Louise

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 December 2015 Telephone number 01388833637

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reference number

Explorers registered in 2015. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 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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reference number

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reference number

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

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