Thatto Heath Playdays

Inspection of Thatto Heath Playdays 2 Govett Road, Nutgrove Community Centre, St. Helens WA9 5NH

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children feel happy and secure in this exceptionally warm and homely environment. They thrive in the care of loving highly skilled staff who know them very well. The children are calm and contented in their care, welcoming visitors with smiles. Excellent first-hand experiences help children to learn about their local community. For instance, children visit local residents with homemade cookies on special occasions to cheer people up. These activities successfully encourage children to experience the awe and wonder of the wider world. Children demonstrate excellent behaviour. They follow the golden rules confidently as they play cooperatively with each other. Younger children play outside harmoniously together, sharing musical instruments and joining in each other's songs.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children show consistently high levels of engagement and interest, sustaining their concentration as they explore paint colours and texture printing with dinosaurs. Children take part in activities that are highly stimulating and exciting. They carefully spoon porridge oats into bowls retelling the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Children are absorbed in mark making outside with water and brushes, developing their writing skills in preparation for the next stage in their learning. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff offer additional support for children's personal and social development. Staff skilfully role model sharing and turn-taking to younger children. The inspiring curriculum enhances the experiences and meets the needs of all children individually.

p.2

need to do better?

n The quality of the education is exceptional because staff know the children and their families so very well. The curriculum is superbly well planned and sequenced for all children. Older children are delighted as they tap out a rhythm to a song using chopsticks. This supports children to develop their early reading skills. n Staff are dedicated, nurturing and highly skilled at planning activities and next steps which support individual children. For instance, some children receive very close support during times of transition within the pre-school. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are incredibly well prepared for the next stage in their learning. n Communication and language development is promoted to a consistently high standard. This is improving the outcomes for the children's spoken language and increasing their vocabulary. Children share a love of reading with the staff. They

p.2

need to do better?

read stories in a way that excites and engages children and highly motivates them to learn. Staff enthusiastically encourage younger children to join in with the 'hello song', developing their ability to speak, listen and understand. n Children's individual needs are at the heart of decision-making in this pre-school.

p.2

need to do better?

21 April 2022 Termly pre-school council meetings enable children to offer important suggestions about their setting. They discuss the environment organisation, trips and resource purchases. These are life skills preparing children for their future success. n Staff skilfully support children and their families to develop healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy a range of fruits for snack. Staff cook healthy meals in the nursery and share meal ideas with parents. The manager registers families with dentists to improve dental care for the children. n Leaders go above and beyond in their commitment to provide first-class enrichment activities. Children visit places of interest in the local community, such as the library and local park. Children are quickly learning about the world around them. n Leaders and staff develop fantastic parent partnerships. Staff share information via an online communication system. Parents are offered home visits and

p.2

need to do better?

workshops about transitions to school. Children take books and recipes home from the pre-school to share with their families. Parents fondly describe the happy, kind and dedicated staff team. Parents' comments regarding the care and education their children receive are overwhelmingly positive. n Leadership and management is exceptional. The manager shares her vision and passion with staff and families of providing a high-quality education to all. This helps them to work together and consistently improve outcomes for children. Staff training refreshes ways to support and educate children. This ensures all children achieve their maximum potential.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are highly effective. Staff have an excellent understanding of their role and responsibility in protecting children from harm. They are exceptionally vigilant in identifying, and confidently describe the correct procedures to follow should they have concerns about children's welfare. Safeguarding policies and procedures are well embedded throughout the nursery. Staff understand how to refer concerns beyond the manager if necessary. Staff are aware of the most frequent categories of abuse within the area.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2541807 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10215372 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 63 Name of registered person Thatto Heath Playdays Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07917795687 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Thatto Heath Playdays was registered in 2019. The pre-school employs ten members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years professional status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 pre-school. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together to talk about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager spoke to the inspector about how they support children and their families with SEND. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a phonics activity. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.

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

21 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.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