Play Days Cottage

Inspection of Play Days Cottage Osbourne Cottage, Tuxford Road, New Ollerton, NEWARK, Nottinghamshire NG22 9TA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the rich, unique learning opportunity to hatch and nurture ducklings in the nursery. They learn about caring for their new nursery pets, which has encouraged lots of new language, such as 'embryo'.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages are happy. They play, explore, and learn with confidence. Babies and toddlers enjoy cuddles with staff, who are affectionate and attentive to their needs. This demonstrates they feel safe and secure in the company of familiar adults. Older children play well with their peers and build strong friendships. They are caring towards others in their play.

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The provision is good

Children develop their independence. Staff support them and know the value of this. This helps to support children for the next stage in their learning, such as when they move to a new room. Toddlers manage their own care needs when they visit the bathroom with minimal support. Furthermore, toddlers find and put on their own shoes before they go outdoors.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy playing in the adventurous garden every day. They take challenging risks when they stack tyres, climb into them, and slide down the fireman's pole. Staff are close by to watch. They have high expectations that the children will take safe risks with support. Children are inquisitive and motivated learners, who are well prepared for the next stage in their education.

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need to do better?

n The knowledgeable manager and her dedicated staff provide children with an interesting and well-thought-out environment. The activities provided reflect children's individual interests and needs. For instance, babies who are beginning to 'cruise' have low level units to help them to practise their walking. Toddlers use a wealth of construction resources to develop their interest in building, this contributes to their imaginative skills. n The manager and staff know children well. They plan a curriculum that focuses on what children need to learn next. One focus for all ages, following on from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, is to develop children's communication and language skills. Staff engage children in conversations and ask questions of them. n Staff are strong and positive role models and guide children's behaviour. They remind children to listen to their friends who may not like what they are doing.

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need to do better?

This helps children learn to be respectful of the views of adults and their friends. n Staff join in with children in the morning with the 'wake-up' session. Children and staff follow instructions, sing and do actions to a song. Staff recognise that this helps to start their day and 'kick-start' their minds. However, staff do not

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need to do better?

15 July 2021 always use spontaneous opportunities to build on children's learning. For example, when a butterfly flies into the room, staff 'shoo' the butterfly away, rather than support children to learn facts about nature and butterflies. n The chef prepares fresh nutritious meals and snacks daily, such as a large fruit platter for lunch. This contributes to children's healthy eating. n The manager supports and encourages staff to improve their skills. There is a good training and development programme to help staff enhance their practice and improve outcomes for children. For example, staff speak about research they carried out to explore risky play. They say this has helped them to support children to 'have a go', without hindering their natural curiosity. n The manager and staff recognise that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some children have not socialised with others. Staff have introduced a 'mini-kicks' class

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need to do better?

for children to practise their physical skills with an external teacher. This helps to broaden children's horizons beyond those they may already have at home. n Overall, interactions with babies are good. Some babies get excited as they put paint on paper, using shaving brushes and cardboard tubes. They enjoy painting staff's hands, who then show the babies how to make handprints. However, babies individual learning is, sometimes, not fully considered. For example, during a planned painting activity, staff spend too much time with some babies and not enough time with others. Furthermore, there are not enough resources for all babies to take part. This, occasionally, leaves some babies watching others having fun.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are clear about their role and responsibilities. They understand their duty of care to report any signs that might suggest a child is at risk or when a family may require support. Managers and staff fully understand the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a colleague's practice. They understand local referral procedures and the importance of recording any concerns. The premises are safe and secure. Each room is secured with a keypad entry system. This means guests cannot access the nursery rooms uninvited. The manager and staff are trained in paediatric first aid. This means they can respond promptly in the event of an accident.

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should:

n strengthen staff's interactions with older children to help extend and build further on spontaneous learning opportunities n develop staff's understanding of how to hold babies' interest during planned activities to help them to focus and engage in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557276 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10175117 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

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Annable, Charlotte Lynne

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reference number

Telephone number 01623361604 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Play Days Cottage registered in 2018 and is situated in New Ollerton, Nottinghamshire. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, two at level 5 and one has early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed how they intend to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. 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 to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

15 July 2021 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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