Nurtured @ Alverthorpe

Inspection of Alverthorpe Grange Nursery Alverthorpe Grange, 5 Conway Road, Wakefield WF2 0AZ

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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

Staff in the nursery are welcoming, friendly and professional. They provide a nurturing environment for children and meet their care needs effectively. Children are happy in the nursery and show that they feel safe. Babies settle in very quickly and build bonds with their key person. They explore their surroundings with interest. Toddlers have plenty of activities to choose from and begin to develop preferences for learning. Staff respond to this and plan experiences which the children find interesting. Older children are well prepared for starting school and demonstrate good levels of self-confidence. They have particularly good literacy skills and show enjoyment in stories and mark making. Staff have high expectations for all children and help to minimise gaps in learning. They know children well and are aware of their areas for development.

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The provision is good

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have stopped coming into the nursery to drop off and collect children. Staff ensure that they keep parents updated using online platforms and maintain effective communication. This helps to reassure new families and ensure that staff are aware of any changes to children's routine. Children's behaviour is consistently good. They have good levels of self-esteem and learn how to take turns. Although staff have observed the impact of the pandemic, children continue to develop good personal, social and emotional skills.

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need to do better?

n The nursery owner works closely with the manager to offer support to the whole team. They actively promote staff's positive emotional well-being and are always available if needed. Staff report that they feel happy and valued here. They are keen to discuss their ideas to make improvements to the nursery and have high expectations for children. n Children enjoy a wide range of activities inside and outside. Staff help them to broaden their experiences and learn about other people and cultures around the world. However, there are times during children's play when staff could focus their teaching to add purpose and build on their individual goals. For instance, some children wander around between activities and do not stay long enough to engage deeply. n Staff help children to develop communication and language skills. For example, they model new words to babies as they explore crispy pieces in a plastic tray.

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need to do better?

Toddlers sing songs and older children show excitement as they join in the end of the story. The manager has plans to provide staff with specific training to help them focus on this area of children's learning even more effectively. n The curriculum for children's physical development is a strength throughout the nursery. Babies are encouraged to begin to feed themselves and hold their own bottles. Staff help toddlers to develop small physical skills using dough and

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need to do better?

15 February 2022 encourage children to make marks in flour. Older children show pride as they use chalks to write the letters in their name once they have developed their grip. n Children benefit from opportunities to explore outdoors in the garden and learn about living a healthy lifestyle. They have good levels of independence and persevere to develop skills. For instance, they talk to staff about how often they brush their teeth and persist as they peel their oranges independently at snack time. n Staff are good role models for children. They manage behaviour positively and use consistent strategies to support children. For example, staff consistently offer children a hug if they are feeling frustrated and this is highly effective. Children develop good social skills and take part in group activities and circle time. Overall, these are positive experiences. However, some groups are too large and this has an impact on how well some children join in.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships are effective and staff work hard to promote continuity. For example, they work alongside educational psychologists and speech therapists to create targeted plans for children. This helps children to make good progress in relation to their starting points. n Staff ensure that parents feel included in their children's care and learning each day. Parents are particularly happy with the way that staff communicate. They feel that staff show the same level of love and commitment for their children as they do and say that children are thriving.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has increased the number of staff who have designated safeguarding lead training. This helps to ensure that staff are supported swiftly and effectively if they have concerns about children's safety. Staff confidently identify potential signs of abuse and know how to record and report them swiftly. There is an effective whistle-blowing procedure for staff to follow if they have concerns about their colleagues. The manager and nursery owner know how to recruit new staff safely. They check references and provide a detailed induction so staff are aware of the policies and procedures in the nursery. Parents state that the leadership team has communicated safety precautions effectively during the pandemic. This has helped to minimise the spread of the virus.

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should:

n focus teaching sharply during children's play to maximise opportunities for learning n help staff to develop their specific skills and knowledge to further support children's communication and language

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should:

15 February 2022 n consider the impact of group size for children, particularly those who are shy or new to the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544327 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10225529 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 67 Number of children on roll 102 Name of registered person Child Care Complete Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01924 314009 Date of previous inspection 24 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Alverthorpe Grange Nursery registered in 2017 and is based in Wakefield. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including the manager. The nursery owner has qualified teacher status and the deputy manager has a relevant level 4 qualification. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, excluding bank holidays, Christmas Eve and one week between Christmas and New Year. The nursery provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attend.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Michelle Lorains Stephanie Nixon

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the manager and the inspector, indoors during a planned group session and activities with toddlers. n The inspector held a discussion with the manager and nursery owner about the leadership and management of the nursery. She looked at relevant documents, including evidence of recruitment, staff's qualifications and staff's suitability to work with children. She discussed children's learning and development with the staff team and the nursery manager. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents on the telephone and obtained

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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

15 February 2022 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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