Shildon Early Years

Inspection of Shildon Early Years Children's Centre, Byerley Road, Shildon, County Durham DL4 1HN

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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 are enthusiastic on arrival and are clearly happy to attend. They form warm and secure relationships with their key person and other staff. This has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being. The nursery environment is stimulating and interesting. The garden is spacious and well resourced, with exciting opportunities for children to explore and discover, as well as engage in physical play and exercise. Children are given plenty of time to test the equipment and experiment with the resources. For instance, they spend a lot of time concentrating as they master how to use a large bubble wand to create giant bubbles. Staff prioritise children's emotional development and support them successfully through times of change. For example, staff prepare children well as they change rooms and when they move on to school. Staff are positive role models and manage children's behaviour well. This includes teaching good

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The provision is good

manners, sharing, taking turns and playing cooperatively. The promotion of communication and language is a strong focus within the nursery curriculum. Staff establish good partnerships with parents to promote continuity in learning between home and nursery. For example, they share ideas so that parents can continue their child's learning at home and invite them to participate in stay-and-play sessions.

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need to do better?

n The leadership and management of the nursery is strong. Staff are enthusiastic about what they do and want the best for all children. They demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the quality of care and teaching by reflecting on their practice and putting in place plans for improvement. n The quality of teaching is good, overall. Staff combine their expertise and generally good teaching strategies to provide a wide range of purposeful play and learning opportunities to engage and motivate children. Staff assess children's development accurately and the manager monitors the overall progress of children closely. Together, they quickly identify any gaps in learning. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported. This is because of the attention to individual needs, good quality teaching and close monitoring by the special educational needs coordinator. She

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need to do better?

shares her excellent understanding in this area with staff and parents. This means those children with more complex needs are very well cared for and make good progress. n Children respond well to the opportunities to explore and investigate. The well- resourced outdoor area provides children with many opportunities to learn about their environment. For example, a group of older children eagerly dig in the soil looking for worms. They are clearly fascinated by the worms and become absorbed in their play and exploration. Staff are actively involved in the

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need to do better?

15 January 2020 children's activities and generally ask questions that encourage children to think. However, they do not consistently challenge children to extend their knowledge and build on what they already know. n Staff support language development successfully across all ages. They encourage interesting conversation with older children, who excitedly talk about their families and recent experiences. Staff use stories and songs particularly well during children's play. Children of all ages delight in singing songs, joining in with actions and listening intently to their favourite stories. n Children benefit from many opportunities to learn about shape, colour and size. However, teaching is less focused on supporting older children to practise and strengthen their knowledge of counting and calculation. n Children are busy, interested and excited by their play, which results in them behaving well. They know what is expected of them and the daily routine helps

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need to do better?

them understand these expectations. For example, very young children are familiar with mealtime routines. They know that they need to sit down to eat and recognise when their hands are sticky and need cleaning. Children enjoy playing with others and being independent. n A culture of sustained staff development and sharing of good practice is embedded in the nursery. This results in staff increasing their qualifications, continually developing their knowledge and experience, sharing good practice and individual skills and supporting each other. Parents and carers are very complimentary about the nursery staff. They are happy with the care and education their children receive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a clear and comprehensive understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know the procedures to follow if concerns regarding children's welfare arise. Staff understand the nursery's whistleblowing procedures if they have concerns regarding a colleague. All staff have attended safeguarding training and the manager encourages them to develop confidence in this area. There is a secure knowledge of the families who attend and a clear understanding of how engagement with outside agencies can keep children safe. The premises are secure, staff are well deployed, and they supervise children well.

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should:

n build further on what children already know, to embed new concepts in their learning n extend opportunities for older children to practise their counting and early calculation skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY319462 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10117641 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Durham County Council

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reference number

Telephone number 01388 772959 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Shildon Early Years registered in 2006. The nursery employs seven members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6 and five hold level 3. The nursery is open Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She 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. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

15 January 2020 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

15 January 2020 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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