Apple Blossom Day Nursery

Inspection of Apple Blossom Day Nursery St. Catherines Court, 2 & 3 Timber Beach Road, Sunderland Enterprise Park, SUNDERLAND, Tyne & Wear SR5 3XJ

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and feel safe in the nursery environment. They are confident to approach the friendly staff and ask for help if they need it. Parents talk about the support they receive from staff and enjoy hearing about their child's day during the daily feedback.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff provide children with some exciting activities. Children confidently use bicycles and squeal with delight when they peddle fast down the hill. Children work together and encourage each other by shouting 'ready, steady, go'. Older children are eager to share their stories about Penshaw Monument and how they like to play outside at nursery. Younger children wave, smile and splash with the 'yellow ducks' in the water tray. Although the provider has clear intentions for the curriculum, this is not implemented consistently throughout the nursery. Staff do not always make the most of opportunities to help children develop the knowledge and skills needed to make good progress.

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The provision requires improvement

Generally, children behave well. Older children demonstrate thoughtful behaviour towards their friends. For example, they understand about sharing and take turns when playing with the police car outside. They wait patiently until their friends have finished before they have another go. However, children in the two-year-old room receive inconsistent messages about what is expected of them and occasionally disengage during experiences throughout the day.

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need to do better?

n Some aspects of the curriculum are promoted well. Younger children learn to make marks with paints, and older children learn to recognise and write some letters in their name. However, the curriculum is not consistently implemented to support all children's learning, in particular, in their communication and language development. Although staff plan opportunities for groups of children, they do not focus precisely enough on individual children's next steps in learning. In addition, staff's use of language is not always consistent. For example, staff question children too much and do not allow them enough time to respond. They often use immature language, meaning that children do not always hear the right pronunciation of words, to extend their vocabulary further. n Staff identify possible gaps in children's learning and talk about strategies that can be used to support children. However, these approaches are not consistent

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need to do better?

across the nursery. For example, staff do not always implement advice suggested by other professionals which would help children to make the best progress possible. n At times, staff do not prepare for routine times of the day or spontaneous activities well enough. Children are waiting around, occupying themselves,

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need to do better?

20 May 2022 rather than joining in meaningful play. For example, they sit at tables where there is no activity or are expected to sit for a long time on the carpet. Children do not engage in learning consistently to develop their skills and their behaviour becomes restless. n Children understand the importance of good hygiene routines. They wash their hands before meals and after playing outside, to support their physical health. n Staff well-being is of paramount importance to the providers. They keep in regular contact with the team, support them through regular supervisions and have an open-door policy. Staff comment they feel supported and valued. n Staff provide children with a variety of activities, including sand, water and building blocks. Children choose where they would like to play and talk about the activities they have been part of. For example, children look at photos of themselves and comment about the 'paintings' they 'made with bells' while at

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need to do better?

nursery. n The provider recognises children need further support in developing their independence. However, experiences planned for children are not sufficiently focused on this development. For example, snack times are not used to best effect for children to complete tasks for themselves. n There are times when children show high levels of concentration and perseverance, for example when they play in the sand and water trays, mixing and stirring. They watch and notice as the consistency changes and they start to make marks in the wet sand. This supports their learning well. n Children of all ages engage well in imaginative play, based on their own experiences. They play together, making cups of 'tea', and pretend they are driving to the shops for bread. Staff support this by offering appropriate resources for children to use.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have access to child protection training. They talk about the policies and procedures they would follow in order to safeguard children. Staff demonstrate good knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse. The premises are secure. Procedures are in place to ensure unfamiliar people are not permitted to enter the nursery. Regular risk assessments are carried out. For example, staff can clearly talk about the evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. Children are taught about keeping themselves safe. Staff discuss relevant safety procedures and rules when children are climbing and playing outside.

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Due date

20 May 2022 plan and implement a suitably challenging curriculum which identifies the individual needs and interests of all children and supports their progress, particularly in communication and language. 20/06/2022

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should:

n consistently implement advice from other professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities access an ambitious curriculum that meets their individual needs n help staff to consider how they can support children effectively as they move through their daily activities and routines so that they do not become restless and disengaged n make the most of opportunities during routines and activities to enable children to develop their independence skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450875 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10229626 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 53 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Apple Blossom Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01915489000 Date of previous inspection 13 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Apple Blossom Day Nursery registered in 2012. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery employs 11 members of staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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 their evaluation of the setting. n The provider and the inspector carried out a learning walk together of the nursery and discussed how they intend to implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector throughout the inspection. n The provider and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a small-group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through discussions. n The inspector reviewed evidence of staff's suitability.

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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

20 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.

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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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