Appletree Day Care Ltd

Inspection of Appletree Day Care Ltd Elm Tree Community Centre, Elm Tree Avenue, Stockton-on-tees TS19 0UW

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this calm and nurturing environment. They separate from their parents with ease. They come running in to get their nametag for self-registration. The key-person system works very well. Children develop positive relationships with staff, who know children individually. When children achieve a new skill, staff celebrate with them and then share it with parents. Staff quickly respond to children's interests. They add resources to enhance their learning. For example, when a child bangs on a metal container, staff swiftly add more containers and a drum. This creates opportunities to discuss the different sounds that each container makes.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have lots of opportunities to make choices in their play. They enjoy exploring materials, which inspires their curiosity and creativity skills. Staff encourage children to move resources into different parts of the setting. Children transport sand around the room on the back of trucks and then take it outside. Children make fresh play dough every day. This develops their imagination as they transform it into different things. They use it as food in the home corner or transform it into bandages to fix a poorly head. Children and staff have fun playing outside together. They enjoy games, such as hide and seek in the garden, and take turns hiding and counting. This helps to develop their mathematics and problem- solving skills. Children are encouraged to assess their own risks to see if they are manageable. They take their time on surfaces which are slippery due to the weather. This enables children to learn how to stay safe in different environments.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager has noticed children's speech and language skills are lower than expected since the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff are skilled at changing their language for individual children. When enjoying a creative activity, staff ask children 'What happens when you twist this?' For other children, they introduce new language by commenting on the colour and sounds of paper tearing. This supports children to learn new vocabulary. n All parents talk very positively about the setting. They feel their children have made good progress. They share examples of new language children have learned since they started nursery. Parents talk positively about the online system, which keeps them up to date on what their child is doing while they are at nursery. However, staff do not gather enough information from parents when children first start. This means that key persons have to take time to get to know children before they can plan for their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are encouraged to talk about and manage their feelings. This has a positive impact on their behaviour. They listen to stories about different types of emotions. This encourages them to talk about experiences where they have felt

p.2

need to do better?

22 November 2021 happy and sad. For example, children excitedly share with their friends, 'Do you know what makes me happy, a horsey'. Sometimes, such as story times, staff do not use highly effective questioning techniques to support children's learning and help them to widen their vocabulary. n Staff have high ambitions for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They know children's individual needs and what they need to learn next. They work closely with other professionals to ensure children are fully supported. This enables children with SEND to make good progress. n Staff plan effectively to develop children's independence skills. They help to give out plates and cups at mealtimes. They serve their own lunch and spread butter on their crackers at snack time. When they misplace their belongings, staff encourage children to look for them. When they find their lost objects children

p.2

need to do better?

celebrate this achievement and feel proud. n The nursery manager has a clear vision for the nursery. She is aware of the strengths and areas for development. She has a plan for improvement with clear timescales. Staff feel well supported and have a voice in supporting the setting to improve. They have regular training, which is effective in improving outcomes for children. For example, staff have recently accessed sign language training. This is now used with individual children to aid their communication.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and nursery staff have secure knowledge of how to keep children safe. Safeguarding training has been a priority. All staff have had recent child protection and wider safeguarding training. They know about different kinds of abuse and understand how to recognise a child who may be at risk of harm. Staff know how to report and document any concerns. Recruitment and vetting procedures are robust. They ensure that all staff working with children have suitable checks. Staff carry out risk assessments in the environment to help keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n use the knowledge shared by parents about what children know and can do more effectively when children start attending, in order to plan for what they need to learn first n develop staff questioning techniques, so they more effectively support children's communication and language, particularly at story times.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2605556 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10214471 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Appletree Day Care Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07500905928 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Appletree Day Care Ltd registered in 2020 and is situated in the Elm Tree area of Stockton-on-Tees. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5. The provision operates term time only Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. Children aged one to five years are cared for between the hours of 8.30am and 3.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during indoor and outdoor activities. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with children and staff as appropriate during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector had a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

22 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6