Nellie's Day Nursery

Inspection of Nellie's Day Nursery Church Street, Shildon, Durham DL4 1DU

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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 are happy and growing in confidence. Staff are sensitive to the different ways that children have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Children benefit from extra support to catch up on missed learning. They make good progress in their speaking skills, and learn about friendships and turn taking. Staff have high and consistent expectations of children and provide familiar and consistent routines. This helps children to feel secure and they behave well.

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The provision is good

Children make choices in their play. Staff consider children's interests when planning activities. This helps to engage children in their learning and they are keen to join in. For example, children delight in tracing patterns in glitter while making 'potions'. Staff successfully help children to build on what they already know and can do. The manager acknowledges that more focused support and supervision would help staff to enhance their already good teaching.

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The provision is good

The manager communicates extremely well with parents, who are overwhelmingly pleased with the care that their children receive. The key-person approach helps children to form close relationships with staff. This helps children to feel safe and they develop a sense of belonging. However, arrangements to share information about children's learning are not embedded in practice.

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need to do better?

n Staff understand how young children learn. They plan plenty of activities that appeal to children and are matched to their individual needs. This helps children to make good progress in their learning. The quality of education is good. However, the manager's arrangements for the supervision of staff do not focus on ways to help them to develop their knowledge and skills further. n Children achieve well in mathematics. Staff weave numbers into activities to help children to develop skills in counting. Pre-school children successfully count out legs for a spider they make with dough. n Staff encourage children to develop a love of books. In the pre-school room, each day begins with a story. Staff then weave the story through activities for the rest of the day. For example, children remember the magic words from a favourite book while mixing potions. This helps to develop children's skills in literacy and they learn new words quickly.

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need to do better?

n Two-year-old children show a love of songs and dancing. They join in eagerly with the enthusiastic staff, who dance and sing along with them. Staff pronounce the words clearly so that children can understand and learn the songs. This supports children's developing language skills well and encourages their creativity and confidence. n Babies benefit from warm and caring relationships with familiar staff. They are

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need to do better?

22 October 2021 curious and keen to explore in the room. They squeal in delight while splashing in a water tray. Staff plan carefully to help babies to develop their physical skills. For example, they provide furniture and toys to encourage younger babies to pull themselves up and stand. n Staff encourage children to be independent. For example, children eagerly help to tidy the room and put on their coats with minimal help. They join in familiar routines, such as washing their hands, which teach them how to stay healthy and safe. n Children develop good listening and attention skills. Staff have realistic expectations, which increase as children grow. They have introduced a brief 'welcome time' to toddlers. Children sit together briefly and sing a song to welcome their friends. This prepares them well for longer, more-focused group times as they move through the rooms in nursery and, eventually, on to school.

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need to do better?

n The manager has supported families and maintained contact with them throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the contact between key persons and parents is infrequent. This means that they are not consistently able to share information about children's learning to help children make the best possible progress. n Staff know children well and every child is valued. Children who need additional support benefit from tailored plans to meet their needs. Staff consider children's individual life experiences and backgrounds. They use what they know to help children to develop the skills needed to succeed in later life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager uses safe recruitment procedures to help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. She keeps up to date with safeguarding legislation, for example through emails from the local authority and networking opportunities. Staff benefit from training during staff meetings. They know about the different kinds of abuse and what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The manager has clear procedures in place in the event that an allegation is made against a member of staff. Staff carry out regular risk assessments and review accident records. This helps to ensure children's safety while in the nursery.

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should:

n strengthen support and supervision arrangements to help staff to build on the quality of teaching n develop further ways for staff and parents to share information about children's learning, to help children to make even better progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563109 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10191208 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 75 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Nellie's Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01388304274 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Nellie's Day Nursery registered in 2018. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. It employs 10 childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, three hold a relevant early years qualification at level 6, and a further five hold a relevant qualification at level 3. The nursery receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and staff and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The manager showed the inspector around the nursery and talked about the curriculum and how the setting is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector met to discuss leadership and management of the setting. The inspector looked at relevant documents provided, including evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector completed a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents 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

22 October 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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