Serendipity Nursery And Outdoor Learning

Inspection of Serendipity Nursery And Outdoor Learning Neasham Road, Hurworth Moor, Darlington, Darlington DL2 1DL

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Inspection date: 23 June 2021 - 14 July 2021

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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 run into nursery when they arrive, eager and enthusiastic. They are keen to talk with staff and engage with their peers about the activities for the day ahead. When children first start at the nursery, staff work diligently to ensure parents feel confident. Staff support children to form secure bonds with their key person and other staff. They provide children with consistent guidance at a level appropriate for their stage of development. Children share their thoughts and feelings without hesitation as they learn how to manage their emotions. They talk about what makes them happy and sad. Children develop skills in sharing and taking turns with their peers.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for every child to reach their full potential. They are very attentive to the needs of children in their care. Staff watch, listen and swiftly respond to them at appropriate times. For example, they notice the early signs that babies are hungry or tired. Staff respond to these, for example by sitting with children in a quiet cosy area so that they can sleep. Children show they understand good hygiene as they discuss handwashing. They give particular attention to this when moving from outside to inside, after digging in the garden.

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need to do better?

n Parents are highly valued as partners. Staff work diligently to ensure that parents are kept informed about every aspect of their child's progress. Throughout the pandemic, staff provided resources for parents to extend children's learning at home and support progress. Parents speak very positively about the provision. They warmly describe the friendliness of the staff team and how happy their children are to attend. Parents comment that 'staff go above and beyond to ensure that children make progress and enjoy their learning'. n Staff provide a rich, engaging and accessible environment that fosters independent learning and exploration. Children can move freely between activities and have free access to an exciting outdoor learning environment. Babies thrive, as caring staff gently support them to develop balance and coordination, take early steps and safely negotiate steps and ramps. Children giggle with delight as they master these skills.

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need to do better?

n Children form strong emotional attachments with their key person and seek help from adults in their self-chosen activities. For instance, they seek support when reading books and enjoy this personal intimate time with staff. Behaviour throughout the nursery is good. Staff use positive and age-appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour effectively. They are positive role models and offer constant praise and encouragement to children. n The manager has high expectations for quality and through self-evaluation sets a clear direction for future improvements. Staff share good practice through

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need to do better?

23 June 2021 peer observations and have regular supervision sessions to discuss children's progress, including how they can support children's learning effectively. n Throughout the nursery all children, including those in receipt of funding, children with additional needs and those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress. Staff complete regular observations and assessments, looking at where the children are in their learning and development. They use this information effectively to plan interesting and exciting activities to support children's next stage of development. n Staff give high priority to developing children's communication and language skills. From the youngest age, staff model language for children to hear and copy. During activities, staff support children to predict what will happen and why. For example, children enjoy making perfume using a range of resources from the garden. They discuss the varying smells and how they change when

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need to do better?

other ingredients are added, and are delighted with the results. n Although teaching is good overall, occasionally, staff do not fully consider how they can challenge children to learn as much as possible from them. For instance, during some adult-led activities, some staff overlook the opportunity to further extend children's understanding of measure and size.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a sound knowledge understanding of how to ensure that children are kept safe. Rigorous and robust recruitment procedures are in place for all staff. Staff are supported through training on various aspects of safeguarding at induction, through additional training and during staff meetings. They undertake regular risk assessments of the nursery environment and any issues are addressed. Staff support children to understand safety in their play. Children take measured risks. For example, staff show them how to use knives safely as they cut fruit and vegetables.

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should:

n support staff to fine tune their teaching skills, so that they all understand how to reshape activities to challenge children and help them achieve as much as possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2496935 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10149241 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 93 Name of registered person Serendipity Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07432129909 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Serendipity Nursery And Outdoor Learning registered in 2018. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including three with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Eileen Grimes Janet Fairhurst

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager. They discussed the learning environment and how the curriculum is organised. 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 observed and evaluated an activity with a senior staff member. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views through written feedback.

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Inspection activities

n Following the original inspection on 23 June 2021, a further visit was completed on 14 July 2021, to gather additional evidence.

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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

23 June 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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