Hydra Tots

Inspection of Hydra Tots Hydra Kids, Unit 8, Hydra Business Park, Nether Lane, Ecclesfield, SHEFFIELD S35 9ZX

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

Children feel safe and are confident. They mix happily and easily with adults and other children. Staff build strong bonds with parents, which helps to support children's confidence and sense of well-being. The leadership team has very high expectations and is ambitious for every child to reach their full potential. Leaders set an extremely positive example for all staff through their energy, commitment and knowledge of the early years curriculum. Consequently, staff morale is high, and the quality of teaching and learning is excellent. Children are extremely happy and inquisitive. The nursery provides a bright, stimulating and highly motivating environment for all children to learn and develop. Staff work extremely well as a team. They provide activities which capture children's interests with thought- provoking resources. For example, children act out favourite stories using purpose- made puppets, masks and other props. Babies strengthen their sensory awareness

p.2

The provision is outstanding

through playing with glittery foams, flowing fabrics and many natural objects. Children are very well behaved. They show kindness and consideration towards others. Children acquire high levels of independence. For instance, they develop their own imaginative play, and create and serve snacks for themselves. Children are thoroughly prepared for the next stage of their education, including starting school. The nursery strongly lives up to its motto of 'A magical day of learning through play'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The leadership team is sharply focused on ensuring the highest standards in all aspects of provision. Staff are well qualified and are strongly supported to achieve more. They are fully involved in evaluating and improving the nursery and making the most of all training opportunities. This is evident in staff's consistent interactions with all children and the breadth of their skills. For example, they use sign language to support those children who find communication and learning more difficult. n Children's physical development is rigorously promoted. Babies have access to well-planned resources for pulling themselves into standing positions, balancing and climbing steps. Staff encourage them to reach further and stay on their feet for longer. They motivate babies with smiles, songs and praise. Older children enjoy yoga and gymnastic activities. They follow staff's excellent examples of stretching, curling and forming frozen statues. Children count their heartbeats

p.2

need to do better?

and explain that their hearts beat faster after exercise to pump blood around their body. n Staff encourage children to have high levels of independence and take responsibility for themselves. They create a warm and caring environment where children feel safe to be themselves and recognise the needs of others. Children take responsible roles. For example, they enjoy being a 'snack monitor', where

p.2

need to do better?

20 February 2020 they help to ensure that children say 'please' and 'thank you' and wash their hands properly. Staff often match these roles to support children's learning needs, such as building their confidence or strengthening their speaking skills. n Procedures to observe and assess children's progress are clear and effective. Staff have well-defined roles as children's key persons. They liaise closely with other professionals, such as medical staff or educational psychologists, to identify and support children's specific needs. Staff work diligently and imaginatively to address any gaps in children's achievement. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make extremely good progress during their time at the nursery. n Children develop their speaking, early reading and writing skills very well. Children hear well-told stories throughout the day which are carefully tailored to

p.2

need to do better?

their age and ability. Staff weave stories into many of the activities children undertake to create memorable experiences. Staff constantly promote a broad and exciting vocabulary. For instance, babies love to join in songs about jungle animals and their homes as they pull giant soft toy giraffes and lions up their soft-play staircase. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language to access nursery rhymes in their home language. This helps to enrich their communication skills. n Parents hold the nursery in very high regard. They appreciate the warm and caring attitudes of the staff. Parents remark on the excellent sharing of information, guidance and resources for learning at home. They typically comment on how staff focus on every detail of their children's development, and provide a vibrant, ever-changing and stimulating environment.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff receive rigorous training in safeguarding and child protection, and benefit from regular refreshers. They are extremely confident in their knowledge of all safeguarding matters. Staff are fully aware of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to record any concerns and where to report them. Managers check that all staff remain suitable to work with children and they have robust safe recruitment procedures for employing and monitoring new staff. Staff supervise children exceedingly well and ensure a safe environment is maintained for the children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY430914 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10131617 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

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 90 Number of children on roll 155 Name of registered person Hydra Kids

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01142450558 Date of previous inspection 18 May 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Hydra Tots registered in 2011 and is located in Ecclesfield, Sheffield. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager who hold early years professional status. 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector completed a learning walk with the managers to understand how the setting and curriculum are organised. n Conversations between the inspector, children and staff took place throughout the inspection. n A range of documents were sampled, including evidence of qualifications and suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.4

Inspection activities

20 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.

p.4

Inspection activities

20 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.

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