Houghton Community Nursery School

Inspection of Houghton Community Nursery School Houghton Community Nursery, Nesham Place, HOUGHTON LE SPRING, Tyne and Wear DH5 8AE

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Leaders and staff share a desire and determination to provide the very best care and education. This contributes to constant and sustained development in this already outstanding nursery. Staff at all levels have a deep understanding of the curriculum. They provide an exemplary range of appealing and challenging activities. Children are highly enthusiastic and happy in their learning. They make strong progress. This top-quality provision is driven by high expectations of both staff and children. Staff are extremely keen to build on their expert knowledge and this enhances their first-rate teaching. Children concentrate, persevere and celebrate their achievements with great pride. Parents work in close partnership with staff and share their aspirations for children. They have extensive knowledge of what their children are learning in nursery. Parents say that they welcome 'excellent ideas and support' to extend this at home. Children show that they feel

p.2

The provision is outstanding

safe and have a strong sense of belonging. Babies thrive in a tranquil yet stimulating environment, where their individual needs are met precisely. Older children show high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children are very well behaved. They show concern and empathy for others and develop a secure understanding of right from wrong.

p.2

need to do better?

n The learning environment is planned meticulously to enrich learning opportunities. Staff carefully consider children's interests alongside what they want them to learn next. Children's curiosity is embraced. Staff support children's self-led play extremely well. Children build rapidly on what they can do, know and remember. n Staff use their excellent knowledge of individual children to help them to extend their experiences. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, develop skills and knowledge that prepare them extremely well for success in later learning. Arrangements to support children when they move on to the nursery school provision are highly effective. n Children have plentiful opportunities to explore, investigate and discover. Babies use their whole bodies to paint. Staff extend this very well when children show amazement at the footprints they make. They link this learning to a familiar

p.2

need to do better?

book and share babies' delight as they tickle their toes while they read. Older children develop excellent problem-solving skills. For example, they discuss how a bowl of sand is heavy and work out how to make it lighter. n Staff skilfully adapt their interactions to help children develop their communication skills. For example, they use very simple language and signs to support children who are in the early stages of learning to speak. With the most able children, they model new words and encourage them to describe during play. This helps children to develop a wide vocabulary and they are confident,

p.2

need to do better?

13 November 2019 fluent talkers. n Partnerships with other professionals are highly effective. Excellent arrangements for sharing information help to ensure that any concerns about children's learning and development are addressed swiftly and precisely. n Staff teach children about the values of others in a highly age-appropriate way. They frequently visit the local community, including an allotment and local shops. They learn about different religions, for example when a member of staff uses a book to share celebrations that are important to her. Children discuss the similarities and differences between themselves and others in an extremely positive way. n Staff value the benefits of outdoor play on children's physical and emotional well-being. Garden areas have undergone significant development and staff have introduced a range of exciting outings to promote outdoor learning. All children get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Those who prefer to learn outdoors

p.2

need to do better?

are supported extremely well. n Arrangements to supervise and support staff are highly effective. Managers have detailed knowledge of the skills and strengths across the team and consider these carefully when deploying staff. Staff morale is extremely high. They excitedly share the ways they plan and review their teaching. They are proud to be a part of the nursery, of their own learning and of the impact this has on children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and managers use a range of professional development opportunities to ensure their knowledge of child protection procedures is first rate. They have a very secure understanding of a wide range of factors that can impact on children's safety and welfare. Leaders have an excellent knowledge of how to identify children at risk of harm. Procedures to record and report concerns about children's welfare are clear, effective and fully understood by all. Staff are extremely vigilant, which helps to ensure children's safety. Furthermore, records of accidents and incidents are scrutinised to minimise risks in the nursery even more effectively.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY461958 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10117676 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 3 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person Houghton Community Nursery School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 0191 584 6655 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2013

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Houghton Community Nursery School re-registered in 2013. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The head teacher showed the inspector around the nursery. Staff took the opportunity to talk about the curriculum and how the provision is organised. n The inspector observed staff's teaching and assessed its impact on children's learning and development. n A meeting with the senior leadership team gave the inspector a good insight into the organisation and management of the nursery. The inspector also looked at documents provided for inspection, including required policies and procedures and staff qualifications. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also met with two members of the governing body. She spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector observed an activity and evaluated it together.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

13 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6