Kids Planet Linden House

Inspection of Linden House Day Nursery 34 Crow Lane West, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside WA12 9YG

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children clearly enjoy the time they spend at nursery. They are confident, independent and motivated learners, who behave well. They listen carefully and follow instructions well. Young children enjoy the responsibility of helping as they assist staff to set the table for lunch. Staff celebrate their efforts and offer continuous praise and encouragement. Children are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas and to make choices throughout the day. This helps to raise children's self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Children develop warm and trusting relationships with the staff who look after them. Attachments in the baby room are particularly strong. This is because staff offer flexible settling-in sessions and take time to gather detailed information about children's likes, dislikes, routines and their existing skills.

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The provision is good

Staff recognise the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have focused their recent teaching on nurturing children's confidence and ability to interact with others. As a result, children settle quickly. They are confident and secure and show high levels of emotional well-being and resilience. Furthermore, children show kindness and concern for their friends and an awareness of others. They are becoming confident communicators, who are able to express their needs.

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need to do better?

n Leaders demonstrate ambition and commitment to providing high-quality care and education for children. They have worked tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for children that encourages them to explore and investigate freely. For example, children are taught how to identify potential risks as they play. As older children climb trees in the forest school area, they understand that they can only step onto branches that are thicker than their arm. Furthermore, children learn to cook meals on the campfire. These opportunities help children to develop skills needed for the future. n Overall, staff support children's emerging language skills well. Staff working with older children ask thought-provoking questions and continually encourage children to express their ideas and to talk about what they are doing. Toddlers talk about the colours that they can see as they make firework pictures with

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need to do better?

paint and brushes. However, some staff do not consistently support younger children to develop their growing vocabulary. This is because they do not always model the correct pronunciation of words. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who receive additional funding make good progress in their learning. Strong professional partnerships and good information sharing with other agencies helps to secure any additional support needed to enable children to reach their full potential.

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need to do better?

17 November 2021 n Children have good opportunities to engage in energetic play. They enjoy weekly sport sessions that enable them to develop skills, such as throwing, catching, kicking and balancing. Furthermore, young children skilfully navigate the space available as they operate wheeled toys and play running games. However, occasionally, some staff do not always effectively engage with children when playing outside. This means that children do not consistently experience the high levels of interaction with adults that they do when indoors. n Staff provide engaging activities for children to practise their mark making and develop their early writing skills. For example, young children thoroughly enjoy making marks in glitter. They 'squish' and 'squeeze' dough which supports children to develop the muscles in their hands. Children concentrate intently as they are supported to use scissors. Staff offer gentle guidance as children

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need to do better?

persevere in this challenging task. This helps children to develop a positive, can- do attitude, when trying new things. n Staff are dedicated and passionate practitioners. Leaders support staff's professional development well. For example, they complete regular observations of their practice and hold meetings with them to identify their strengths and any training needs. Staff describe how they feel supported in their role. They welcome the training opportunities that are provided for them and recognise the importance of engaging in reflective practice to help them to develop their knowledge and skills further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their responsibility in protecting children from harm. They describe the possible signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk. They have an understanding of wider safeguarding issues and how to report any concerns. This includes the action they would take if they had concerns about a colleague's conduct. Robust recruitment arrangements, detailed induction and ongoing support from the manager ensures that staff remain alert to their responsibility to keep children safe from harm. Staff complete comprehensive risk assessments of all areas, including the forest school, which promotes children's safety.

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should:

n help staff to understand how to further extend children's growing vocabulary and communication skills n ensure staff consistently engage with children, particularly when playing outside, so that children can benefit from the same purposeful, high-quality interactions that they experience when playing inside.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458974 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10213662 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 81 Number of children on roll 131 Name of registered person Linden House Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01925 551756 Date of previous inspection 27 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Linden House Day Nursery was registered in 2013. The nursery employs 25 members of childcare staff. Of these, 15 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the director and a member of staff who hold qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 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 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 inspector spoke with parents, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A learning walk was completed with the manager to discuss the curriculum intent and how the provision is organised. n The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider, director and manager. She reviewed a variety of documents, evidence of the suitability of staff, risk assessments, qualifications, first-aid certificates and policies. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children during activities and assessed the impact of teaching on children's learning.

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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

17 November 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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