Pennywell Early Years Centre

Inspection of Pennywell Early Years Centre Portsmouth Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR4 9AX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this incredibly caring nursery. Staff are knowledgeable and dedicated to providing a secure environment in which children can learn and develop. Parents support this view. They comment that staff 'Go above and beyond' to support their children and the wider family. Children have an excellent relationship with staff. Babies greet their friends with cuddles when they arrive. They enjoy sitting on staff's knees for cuddles. Older children are given the time and space to get to know staff and their surroundings. They form strong attachments with their key person. This is evident when children start to watch activities and gradually move to the play dough, safe in the knowledge that their key person is just behind them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of engagement for their age. This is demonstrated when two-year-old children concentrate intently as they learn how to use scissors. Expert support helps children to perfect their skills. For example, although children struggle to cut paper, staff adapt the activity effectively and children learn to hold the scissors to cut other items, such as stalks on plants. Staff help them to learn how to hold the scissors safely. Children learn that if they hold them close to their body or point the scissors up they may cut themselves.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff help parents to support children's good health. For example, staff give out clear messages about healthy eating at home and in the setting. Dentists visit the nursery during family activity days and give advice to children and parents about dental health. This well-thought-out approach has led to a significant increase in the number of children who are registered with a dentist by the age of two. n Staff interactions with children are of an exceptionally high quality. Staff working with older children ask thought-provoking questions to encourage them to express their thoughts and ideas. Staff working with younger children focus on teaching children key vocabulary. This is evident as staff models words, such as 'crash' and 'down' with babies. This helps children make rapid progress in their communication. n The curriculum is extremely well thought out. The curriculum intent is clear

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need to do better?

through the wealth of stimulating activities staff provide. For example, staff focus specifically on developing children's physical skills. Two-year-old children thoroughly enjoy sweeping the bubbly water on the ground, helping to develop their physical skills in preparation for early writing. n Children develop a strong understanding of behavioural expectations. All children are polite and well mannered. Older children learn the impact of their behaviour on others. They demonstrate excellent self-control. When issues do occur, staff

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need to do better?

30 June 2022 help children to understand how other's feel and how they can make them happy. n The nursery gives children an incredibly rich experience beyond their everyday life. They work with the local authority to help parents access things in the wider community. Since the pandemic, the nursery have re-created the beach and woods in the garden, so that they can continue to provide experiences for children that they would not normally have. They develop a strong respect for cultures beyond their own as they take part in meaningful celebrations. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are exceptionally well supported. Staff swiftly identify any areas where children need support. They have a clear targeted approach in place to monitor the progress children make and to get further support if necessary. Funding is used effectively, for example, to provide additional staff to support children's needs further. Staff have a

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need to do better?

wealth of knowledge on a range of interventions to support children's communication and social skills. This helps children to make excellent progress in relation to their starting points. n There is an excellent relationship with parents. Staff speak to parents at the beginning and end of each session and give them detailed information about their child's day. Parents enjoy visiting the nursery as part of a family project. They find out how they can help their children at home. They get tips on supporting children's physical development, behaviour or their mathematics. They say the consistent information sharing helps them to follow examples from nursery and support children further. n Staff have access to targeted professional development. For example, staff working with older children have recently had training for helping children to manage anxiety. They have reflected on their practice as a result of this. Staff

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need to do better?

also have access to a well-resourced training room to strengthen their knowledge and understanding even further. Staff share this exemplary practice with other staff in the local community.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff have an excellent understanding of safeguarding. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff talk confidently about the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is subjected to abuse. They have a detailed understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance and female genital mutilation. They have a detailed understanding of local safeguarding concerns. The nursery is secure throughout. For example, access to the nursery and children's rooms are via electronic doors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY260693 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10117617 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 72 Number of children on roll 173 Name of registered person Pennywell Nursery School Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 01915341004 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Pennywell Early Years Centre registered in 2003 and is located in Sunderland. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two qualified teachers. The manager is also a headteacher and holds a professional qualification in children centre leadership. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 5pm. 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 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. n The 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 explained how she manages the nursery and discussed safeguarding with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to children and staff as part of the inspection.

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Inspection activities

n Parents spoke to the inspector to provide their views on the nursery.

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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

30 June 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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