Mayo Kindergarten

Inspection of Mayo Kindergarten 28 Mayo Street, COCKERMOUTH, Cumbria CA13 0BY

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children at Mayo Kindergarten are happy and show that they feel safe and secure. They enjoy wonderful relationships with their key person and the staff they regularly see. Children engage confidently with staff, their peers and new visitors to the setting. They share their experiences positively and recognise what makes them unique.

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The provision is good

Staff show high expectations of children and what they can achieve. For example, children are supported to identify their names on their labelled water bottles. Children show positive attitudes to their learning and enjoy carrying out small tasks. For example, they pour their own drinks and spread butter on their toast capably, using excellent physical skills. Children listen well. They understand and follow consistent rules, for example following the one-way system in the garden when using the wheeled toys. This also helps children to recognise risks and encourages them to manage their own safety and that of their peers.

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The provision is good

The new manager is ambitious for the success of the setting. She has a firm vision and shows a strong commitment to her role. Reflective practice is well embedded. Staff, parents and children contribute to the targeted and well-informed development plans. There is a strong team spirit and all staff are invested in the continuous improvement of the setting. The manager has recognised areas to strengthen within performance management to raise the quality of provision to the very highest levels.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide a well-thought-out curriculum that builds on children's interests and what they already know and can do. Teaching is good and staff offer appropriate levels of challenge during play. For example, as children count items for a phonics activity, staff seize the opportunity to introduce number flash cards to challenge children to find the corresponding number. Children develop great confidence in their mathematical understanding. n There is a strong focus on children's literacy skills and developing a love of reading. Carefully chosen and well-placed books around the environment greatly encourage children's interest in books for both pleasure and information. Staff demonstrate excellent storytelling skills. Their expressions, tone of voice and enthusiasm build excitement for children and greatly promote their concentration skills. n Staff provide excellent support for children's communication and language skills.

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need to do better?

For instance, they constantly engage in conversation with children, emphasising key words in their interactions to help enhance children's understanding and speaking skills. Staff regularly introduce new vocabulary. For example, they talk

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need to do better?

20 November 2019 about carbohydrates at snack time. This also helps children to reflect on healthy options. n Children benefit from the small-group size. Staff are warm and nurturing and are attentive to children's needs. Children have a strong sense of belonging and positive well-being and self-esteem. n Parents feel involved in their children's learning and enjoy reading the 'what we did today' notice. Staff also provide information about how parents can continue learning at home. This is linked to the general theme as well as children's individual next steps. Parents comment on the homely feel of the setting as well the friendly and approachable staff. n Funding for eligible children is used very well to target next steps and ensure a good rate of progress in all areas. n Partnership working with other early years settings and local schools children also attend is less well established. Although there are very good preparations

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need to do better?

for children's transitions to school, there is little information shared as an ongoing process to enable all involved to better understand children's needs and development. n The well-qualified and experienced staff feel valued, listened to and empowered. For example, they implement new skills and knowledge following targeted and informed training opportunities. Staff report on a significant impact on children's engagement and concentration following recent changes to the environment and making resources more accessible. n The new manager has made some positive changes to the setting and shows a strong capacity to make continued improvements. She provides good support for the staff team. However, systems of performance management do not yet provide the manager with in-depth evaluations of all areas of staff teaching and practice in order to raise the quality to the very highest levels.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff foster children's safety and welfare. The manager and staff attend courses and access online training to refresh their knowledge and understanding of different aspects of child protection. They implement robust policies and procedures to promote children's welfare. Staff are alert to signs and symptoms of abuse and are clear about reporting processes, including if there were any concerns about staff. The manager has received relevant training to support her during recruitment of staff. This helps to ensure procedures are robust and that those employed to work with children are suitable.

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should:

20 November 2019 n strengthen systems of performance management to provide the manager with more in-depth evaluations of practice, to enhance the quality an outstanding level n enhance partnership working with other settings and promote more direct information sharing to provide further continuity in children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY334361 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10109737 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 1 to 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Mayo Kindergarten Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01900 826212 Date of previous inspection 10 February 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Mayo Kindergarten registered in 1984 and is situated in Cockermouth, Cumbria. The setting is open each weekday from 8am to 5.30pm, all year round. In total, seven staff work at the setting, all of whom hold relevant qualifications. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a tour of the premises with the manager and held discussions about the early years provision and meeting children's needs. n A joint observation was carried out and the inspector took account of the manager's evaluations. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation at the setting. This included suitability checks on staff and safeguarding policies. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the manager to discuss leadership and management arrangements.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

20 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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