Play Away Day Nursery

Inspection of Play Away Day Nursery Grasmere Drive, Beechwood, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 2TT

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children at Play Away Day Nursery are happy, settled and safe. The key-person system is embedded and children form secure attachments with staff. Babies are enthralled as they enthusiastically copy and sing action songs. They giggle with glee as they move their bodies to the music. Toddlers cheerfully ride around the outdoor area on scooters and make marks on the floor using chalks.

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The provision is good

Leaders are passionate about providing high-quality early education for children. They have devised a curriculum that is rich in language and fully promotes children's well-being. Staff teach children about emotions in an impressive way. They teach them words to describe their feelings from a young age. This helps children to express their emotions effectively. Older children become engrossed in their daily mindfulness session. They practise breathing and notice the difference in their heartbeat as their bodies become relaxed. This helps children to regulate their emotions and to calm their bodies down after lunchtime.

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The provision is good

Children are becoming very independent learners. Younger children feed themselves and put their own coats and shoes on. Older children carry their own lunches from the serving counter to their tables. They use cutlery confidently to eat their lunch. Staff are positive role models for children. Children's behaviour is good. They play well together and share toys and resources.

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need to do better?

n The manager works alongside staff and provides ongoing evaluation, coaching and support. Leaders have forged effective partnerships with local schools and a range of professionals. They work incredibly well with relevant agencies. This helps to improve staff's knowledge of how to support children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The highest priority is given to staff's morale and well-being. Counselling sessions are available to staff if needed. n Staff have formed positive relationships with parents. Parents praise the nursery staff for the support they give to children and their families. Self-evaluation includes the views of staff, children and parents. Parents benefit from the lending library where they can bring books in from home and swap them with nursery books. Staff suggest how parents can help children to achieve the next steps in their learning. This helps to support children's learning at home.

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need to do better?

n Children learn how to develop healthy lifestyles, including understanding the importance of exercise. The nursery provides healthy and nutritious food. Children have ample opportunities to be physically active. They show good control in both small and large movements. Babies enjoy practising their throwing skills in the ball pond. They enjoy exploring jelly as they squeeze it in

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need to do better?

13 February 2020 their hands. Toddlers fill cups up with water and carefully transfer it into different containers. Older children work as a team as they practise their tennis skills outside. Their physical development is further extended by their weekly 'Active Soccer' sessions. n Children develop positive attitudes to their play and they are eager to learn. Their communication and language skills are developing well. Leaders have recently implemented an initiative to further support children with their speech and language development. Staff talk with children about what they are doing. This helps children to link words to actions. For example, staff extend children's vocabulary as they describe different types of weather by looking at pictures. Staff plan exciting activities for children. This helps to motivate and excite children to learn. However, systems are not consistent within the nursery. Staff

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need to do better?

sometimes miss opportunities to explain to children about what is expected of them during activities. n The mental health mentor and special educational needs coordinator provide regular training sessions to staff that promote children's well-being. Children learn about friendships and feelings from a young age. Staff teach children to celebrate each other's similarities and differences during regular circle time sessions. As a result, children are extremely considerate and thoughtful to their peers. For example, they run over and comfort their friends when they fall over outside and encourage them to join in games. Staff take children on outings to the local nursing home, where they spend time with the residents. They teach children about different cultures and diversity within families. This helps children to learn about people and families that are different to their own.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of what constitutes a safeguarding concern. They understand the procedures to follow to protect children from harm. The manager ensures that staff keep their knowledge up to date through attending training courses and discussions in staff meetings. Good recruitment procedures and rigorous background checks ensure that children are always cared for by suitable adults. The manager ensures that staff have the necessary skills to fulfil their roles in the nursery. Risk assessments are completed to minimise any risks to children. Children are supervised well in all areas of the setting.

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should:

n help children to understand what is expected of them by providing clear explanations and instructions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303448 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10129131 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 to 4 Total number of places 107 Number of children on roll 104 Name of registered person McGovern-Scott, Grainne Mary

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reference number

Telephone number 01928 577 855 Date of previous inspection 6 November 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Play Away Day Nursery registered in 1993. The nursery employs 37 members of childcare staff. Of these, 32 hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 7. The nursery opens from 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 observed the quality of teaching during activities inside and outdoors and evaluated the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n A meeting was held between the inspector and the nursery leaders. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents were spoken to during the inspection, and the inspector took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

13 February 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

13 February 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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