Forest Hall Day Nursery

Inspection of Forest Hall Day Nursery Springfield Park, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 9AG

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children thrive in this friendly and caring nursery, where parents say they become part of 'one large family'. Children are happy and secure. For example, older children confidently recall past events with a member of staff. Babies demonstrate they are happy as they fall asleep in their key person's arms. Older children demonstrate a good awareness of how they can keep themselves safe. For example, they make cheese sandwiches and use tools, such as knives and graters, safely and with control. Children behave well. Staff support children well to listen to their friends and take turns with the toys. During the inspection, two-year-old children respond well when staff remind them to use 'kind hands'. They begin to learn that other children can use the same toys as them. Older children quickly remember to stop and listen to their friends when staff remind them.

p.2

The provision is good

Overall, staff have high expectations for what they want children to achieve. Two- year-old children thoroughly enjoy listening to stories. Older children listen to stories and comment on what is happening. They demonstrate good mathematics skills as they count accurately and begin to recognise numbers.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff have a very good relationship with parents. Parents comment that they know what their children have been doing and how they can support them further. They appreciate the 'family atmosphere' of the nursery, where staff 'care for children as if they were their own'. n Staff plan a range of motivational activities to help children to learn. For example, babies enjoy exploring shredded paper. Two-year old children thoroughly enjoy exploring compost and water. Children in pre-school concentrate intently as they paint reflections of sunflowers onto a mirror. Children demonstrate high levels of engagement, overall. n Staff in the pre-school have ambitious plans for what they want children to learn. However, sometimes, staff focus too much on helping children to develop skills they need for school before they are developmentally ready. For example, some children lose interest in a letter bingo game because they are unable to

p.2

need to do better?

recognise the letters or identify things that start with that sound. They, occasionally, lose concentration because activities are too hard for them. n Babies are well supported and the atmosphere in the room is calm and tranquil. Staff think carefully about how they can help babies develop key skills, such as communication. They sing and talk to babies constantly, helping to develop their communication skills. Staff are vigilant and respond quickly when babies show signs that they are tired. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They work with a range of professionals, such as health visitors or speech and

p.2

need to do better?

12 April 2022 language therapists, to understand how they can support children effectively. They act on the advice given. Staff use funding well to support children. An example of this is when staff buy children's favourite books to support them further. This supports children to make good progress. n Staff do not think sufficiently about the sequence in which children develop new skills. For example, at mealtimes, some younger children do not have their food cut up for them and older children do. This means younger children sometimes resort to using their fingers to eat food, such as Yorkshire pudding, instead of consistently learning to use cutlery. n Children make very good progress in their communication skills. Staff adapt their language when talking to different children and have clear targets for what they want children to achieve. They use good questioning to encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas. This helps children to become confident

p.2

need to do better?

communicators. n Staff support children well to talk about their emotions. Older children thoroughly enjoy linking how they are feeling to different colours. They engage well as they make their own 'emotion potions'. They discuss how they are feeling and choose colour potions to represent their feelings. n The manager and deputy review and monitor the quality of education. They talk to staff and observe their teaching. However, this is not yet effective in identifying minor inconsistencies in practice. For example, they have not identified that some activities do not support older children's age or stage of development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and her staff team have a good knowledge of signs and symptoms, that may indicate possible abuse to children. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child. There are good procedures in place to keep children safe, for example all doors into the nursery are secure. This means children cannot leave the building unsupervised. The indoor and outdoor areas are safe and well maintained. Staff carry out thorough safety checks and take appropriate actions when hazards are identified. Staff talk to children and their families about online safety.

p.3

should:

n strengthen monitoring and identify and address minor inconsistencies in staff's practice n ensure all activities in the pre-school are pitched at the right level to help children to make the best possible progress

p.3

should:

12 April 2022 n consider more carefully the order in which children learn new skills to ensure their learning is sequenced effectively throughout the nursery.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 310208 Local authority North Tyneside Inspection number 10229404 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 96 Number of children on roll 126 Name of registered person Northumbrian Trust Day Nurseries Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0191 266 2545 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2016

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Forest Hall Day Nursery was registered in 1992. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years professional 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.

p.5

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 manager showed the inspector around the nursery. She discussed with the inspector how the curriculum and the experiences for children are planned. The inspector viewed the inside and outside space used by the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The deputy manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n The inspector looked at a sample of the nursery's documents, including evidence of training and the suitability of staff. n The manager and her deputy explained how they manage the nursery and discussed safeguarding with the inspector. n Parents spoke to the inspector to provide their views on the nursery.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to children and staff as part of the inspection.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

12 April 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.

p.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7