Rothbury Kindergarten

Inspection of Rothbury Kindergarten Garleigh Road, Rothbury, MORPETH, Northumberland NE65 7PN

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this setting because they feel safe and secure. Highly skilled staff develop a deep understanding of each child's needs and establish strong bonds with children and their families. As a result, children say that nursery feels like being at home. In addition, well-trained staff support and plan children's next steps in learning and follow children's emerging interests. Therefore, no learning opportunities are missed. Staff are enthusiastic, which means children are highly motivated and enter the nursery excited and ready to learn. Children are respectful and caring towards each other.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are ready to help their friends whenever the need arises. For example, at lunchtime, children support their friends to open their fruit bar. Another child explained that the number he was looking for had a one and a zero so must be the number 10. Parents praise the nursery and feel their children make excellent progress. One parent explained that staff are quick to identify if a child needs support, and, in doing so, her child is now ready to go to school.

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need to do better?

n The highly qualified manager successfully leads this setting to ensure the best outcomes for all children. The curriculum is well planned and ensures that no child is ever left behind. Where gaps are spotted, she acts swiftly with staff to support each child to catch up, using small, achievable steps. The manager is a highly visible leader who knows every child in this nursery exceptionally well. n Staff regularly share information that they have gathered on children with their parents and set 'home challenges'. Links with home are excellent and parents talk passionately about the nursery. During national lockdowns due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, parents appreciated the additional contact and support they received from the nursery. Children benefited from activities they received and were able to listen to stories read by the staff. n Regular staff supervisions ensure that staff receive high-level training, which

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need to do better?

they appreciate. One member of staff said, 'You can never stop learning where children are concerned.' This ensures all staff have a sound understanding of child development, which ensures they can plan for children's next steps in learning. The staff use their good understanding of children and their interests to plan a rich curriculum. Staff are excited when they see children achieving and making progress. For example, when a member of staff saw a child explore and enjoy sensory play for the first time, she called it a 'wow' moment. She then began to build on this learning by adding herbs to develop additional sensory experiences. n Children develop excellent communication and language skills. Babies babble and are responded to both verbally and non-verbally. Older children develop

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need to do better?

27 August 2021 language linked to the wider world and have developed an extensive vocabulary, which they use successfully in their play. For instance, a group of children showed an interest in volcanoes. The key worker quickly found an encyclopaedia and enabled the children to find out more. As a result, the children were then able to talk about eruptions and lava flow. n The all-round health and well-being of each child are supported throughout this setting. Children can wash their hands from a very young age and older children learn the importance of mindfulness and how to eat healthily. Children demonstrated mindfulness techniques, such as the 'shark fin' move. Here, children placed their hands together and gently made a 'sh' sound while moving them over their face. n By the time the children leave this setting, they are ready to start school and have made rapid progress from the day they entered this nursery. Children are

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need to do better?

highly motivated due to the exciting opportunities available for them every day. The activities are planned exceptionally well from the children's interests and, therefore, children are eager to learn more.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know how to keep children safe and who to turn to if they have concerns about a child or a parent. They understand that safeguarding is everybody's responsibility and talk about how they follow-up concerns within a one-hour period. The manager regularly checks that staff understand their role in safeguarding through questioning and ongoing training. Staff are knowledgeable about the risks to children, especially those in their care who are more vulnerable.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493718 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10202300 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 58 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person The Early Learning Partnership Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01669620017 Date of previous inspection 10 August 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Rothbury Kindergarten registered in 2015. There are five members of staff employed at the setting. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one is qualified at level 5, two at level 3 and one at level 2. The setting is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. It receives funding for the provision of free 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 has 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 inspector took part in a learning walk. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation and evaluation with the manager. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and the nominated person and other senior leaders. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of her suitability. n Parents provided their views, which the inspector took account of.

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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

27 August 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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