Thornhill Day Nursery - Tommies Childcare

Inspection of Thornhill Day Nursery - Tommies Childcare 10 Thornhill Road, Off Albany Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 3LX

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle really well due to the individual attention and support they receive from staff. Babies happily explore their environment while staff sensitively encourage them and provide reassurance to help them to build their confidence. Babies explore things in their own time as staff slowly introduce them to the different resources in the room. Staff quickly get to know the children very well and are very attentive to their needs, such as their individual sleep routines.

p.2

The provision is good

Children of all ages develop good physical skills. For example, babies concentrate as they throw and roll balls. Children in the next age range develop their balance and coordination skills as they use the slide and get on and off chairs themselves. Children in the toddler room carefully pour liquid into cups and carry a full cup across the garden without spilling it. Pre-school children move in a variety of ways during their dance class, such as tapping their feet alternately and spinning around on the spot. They are respectful of other children participating in the activity and maintain their own space.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop their communication skills. They listen carefully and follow instructions from staff, even from an early age. They learn new words, which staff introduce to them to extend their vocabulary. Older children initiate conversations and are able to make their needs known.

p.2

need to do better?

n The passionate and committed manager has a clear vision that places children at the centre of everything. Her dedication to providing the best possible opportunities for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, is admirable. The special educational needs coordinator is experienced and thorough in her assessment of children's needs. There is excellent partnership working with other agencies and professionals to ensure that children's care, well-being and support needs are swiftly supported. Staff provide parents with detailed updates about their child's achievements on a frequent basis. Parents and carers talk about the 'amazing support' their children receive to help close gaps in their development. n The manager has devised a curriculum that has clear aims for what she wants children to learn. The curriculum has a 'golden thread' of knowledge, skills and understanding that children build on as they move through the different ages,

p.2

need to do better?

preparing them well for their move to school. Staff are confident in the curriculum aims and how they use children's interests to further their learning. They ensure that activities give children a variety of experiences, some of which they may not have had the opportunity to do before. However, occasionally, staff do not extend an activity well enough to build on children's learning

p.2

need to do better?

19 May 2022 further. For example, when children demonstrate that they are confident counting to two, staff repeat this rather than extending the counting. n The manager makes very good use of information gained from monitoring children's progress to identify where staff need to focus their support. Furthermore, in the relatively short time she has been in post, she has devised a thorough and supportive performance management process. This ensures all staff have the knowledge and skills to undertake their role. The manager pays particular attention to ensuring that staff have a good foundation knowledge of child development in order to support children's learning. n There is strong partnership working with parents and carers. The manager provides additional support, guidance and information on a regular basis, such as information about oral health. Staff provide regular and detailed updates of what children have learned and how parents can support children with what

p.2

need to do better?

they are learning next. Parents and carers value the lending library, which enables them to read with their children at home. n All staff are very knowledgeable about the children. They can explain their stage of development, interests, likes and dislikes in detail. They use this information well to engage children in learning. For example, young children enjoy exploring the resources inside a basket. However, on occasion, staff are too quick to introduce another toy when children are focused on what they are already doing. n The cook prepares healthy meals, taking into account children's dietary needs. There are robust procedures in place to ensure children are given the correct food.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

A thorough induction ensures that all staff, including those who are new, are familiar with the policies, procedures and routines to meet children's needs. For example, staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the attendance policy and why this is important for children's welfare. They implement risk assessments effectively and supervise children to ensure their safety. Staff maintain careful monitoring of children when they are asleep. They have a confident knowledge of child protection and how to manage concerns. There are robust procedures in place to check the suitability of adults working with children.

p.3

should:

n support staff to build on their interactions with children to consistently extend children's learning to help them to make the best possible progress n support staff to give children time to fully focus on their chosen activity.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2498864 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10199004 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Tommies Childcare Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01332346088 Date of previous inspection 2 June 2021

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Thornhill Day Nursery – Tommies Childcare registered in 2018 and is located in Derby. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications, including two with a degree in early years. The nursery opens from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 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 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 completed a learning walk with the manager. She observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed joint observations with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She reviewed relevant documentation, such as evidence of first-aid training and the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector discussed the procedures for evaluation and the priorities for improvement. n The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took

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

19 May 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