Upperthorpe Nursery

Upperthorpe Nursery 90 Woodland Road, Darlington DL3 7PZ

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Inspection date 26 March 2019 Previous inspection date 13 June 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

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

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This provision is good

n An effective key-person system is in place. Children form strong bonds with their key person and are relaxed in their care. This helps to support children's emotional well- being and growing self-confidence. n Parents are happy with the nursery. They are confident that their children's individual needs are met, and comment on how the staff are supportive and friendly. Parents like the good range of activities and praise the high-quality toys and resources that are available. They are pleased with the progress that their children make in their learning and development. n Children are cared for in a safe and clean environment. They get lots of fresh air and exercise, which promotes their good health. For example, children have plenty of fun and enjoy the interesting outdoor areas as they build balancing beams to practise their agility skills. n Children's communication skills are promoted well. Staff engage children in

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This provision is good

conversation, extend their vocabulary and help them to become confident communicators. n On occasions, staff do not provide enough challenge during activities for the older and most able children to help them make the best possible progress in their learning. n The manager recognises that she does not consistently make the best use of all monitoring systems to help target support more precisely, in order to raise the quality of staff's teaching to a higher level.

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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 provide the older and most able children with consistently higher levels of challenge during activities to help them make more rapid progress in their learning n extend the use of monitoring systems to help raise the overall quality of staff's teaching practice to the highest level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have attended training to help them gain a good understanding of what to do if they have a concern about a child's well-being. There are robust systems in place for the recruitment and vetting of staff. There is an effective induction and support programme for all new staff. Staff access regular supervisory sessions and there is an effective appraisal system in place. They carry out regular risk assessments of the premises and ensure that they provide a safe, hygienic and secure environment. Overall, the manager regularly reviews the quality of the provision and the progress that children make. Any gaps in children's learning and development are quickly identified and action is taken so that children receive the support they need.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well. They use observations and assessments of children's progress well. Staff know where children are in their learning and what they need to do to support their continuing progress. Generally, the quality of teaching is good. Staff support children in purposeful play. Children enjoy using their imaginations as they make pretend ice cream from dough and serve it to all the children. Staff support children's speech and language development effectively. They use signing, as well as the spoken word, to support children's developing vocabulary. Children are invited into small-group activities to help develop their communication skills. They enjoy their time in these short sessions. For example, children predict what will be in the bag, pick out an item and sing the associated song to the rest of the group.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children of all ages particularly enjoy spending time outdoors. They engage in a range of play opportunities and initiate their own games. For example, children enjoy activities within the outside classroom as they work together to solve their problems. They skilfully follow the instructions of other children as they dig for numbers and then place them in order. Children behave extremely well. They take turns in their play and are eager to share their ideas with adults, visitors and other children. Mealtimes are sociable occasions. Staff talk with the children about healthy eating and promote their good manners. They support older children to serve themselves in order to help develop their sense of responsibility.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and learn skills that prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, including going to school. For example, younger children listen and pay attention well at story time and they confidently join in when choosing songs together. Older children develop their pre-writing skills as they make lists and use a range of small tools.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482638 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10062428 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 99 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Upperthorpe Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 June 2016 Telephone number 01325 482111

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reference number

Upperthorpe Nursery registered in 2015 and is located in Darlington. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one with early years teacher status. The nursery opens all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It offers care for older children during the school holidays and before and after school. 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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