Explorers Day Care Limited

Inspection of Explorers Day Care Limited Fountain Head Business Park, High Etherley, Bishop Auckland, county Durham DL14 0LZ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children clearly love their nursery. They wave goodbye to their parents with great confidence. Children benefit greatly from familiar routines, and this helps them to feel secure and develop a sense of belonging. For example, the morning routine involves children finding their photograph and placing it on a board. Children are immersed in exciting learning which supports the exceptional progress they make. Activities are real and meaningful. For example, in the woodland area and under the stringent supervision of staff, children learn to light the fire, use knives to chop food for lunch, and use real joinery tools to create a bird house. This active learning enables children to achieve more. Children learn to manage their own behaviour so they can use this equipment safely and with confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff regularly ask children to work out their own solutions to problems, rather than step in with the information. This enables children to think critically. For example, as older children sit in a circle, they share ideas on how they can work out if the circle is small or large. Staff working with babies have a very secure understanding of their role as a key person. They successfully nurture secure and loving relationships with each child. Staff are highly successful in interpreting the wants and needs of babies through their non-verbal forms of communication. Children's attitudes to learning are exemplary and contribute to an exceptionally positive atmosphere for learning. They show high levels of respect for one another, play happily together, inviting others to join their game or discussion, and share their toys willingly.

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need to do better?

n Underpinning the nursery's success is the dedication and expertise of the management team. They are ably and extremely well supported by a highly effective staff team who show a great love and enthusiasm for their work. Everyone involved in the nursery shares a huge sense of pride in what they do. There is a deep commitment and shared vision of all staff to make sure that every child is seen as an individual, and that learning is specifically tailored to meet that child's learning needs. This is something which is achieved on a daily basis. Extremely robust monitoring of staff practice ensures that they are able to fulfil their roles with the utmost competence and diligence. n The development of children's communication skills weaves through the curriculum. Staff are excellent role models when interacting with children. They help older children verbalise their thinking. Through talking together, children

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need to do better?

explore and develop their vocabulary and their ideas. They use a wide range of words such as, 'excited', 'nervous' and 'happy', to describe how they are feeling about starting school. Through the telling and retelling of stories, children learn to sequence ideas, while young children begin to use words and short phrases.

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need to do better?

12 July 2022 n Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is exemplary. Staff know children and their families extremely well and build strong, trusting relationships. They are skilled at identifying children's specific needs early. They put the necessary adaptations in place to ensure that these children enjoy the same curriculum as their peers and join in with all aspects of nursery life. n Children's good health is supported exceptionally well. They are physically active outside every day, and staff provide them with exceptionally healthy snacks and meals that are beautifully presented. Children's personal development is enhanced when they share mealtimes. These are enriching social occasions where children learn to eat their meal politely and sensibly. n Children benefit greatly from a range of rich learning experiences. They have their weekly 'Explorers Adventure trips' that range from visits to a shopping mall

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need to do better?

or to the local swimming pool. Equally, based on a working farm, children benefit greatly from the unique experiences on offer here. For example, being able to learn about tractors and even watching a calf or a lamb being born. n Staff form strong relationships with parents, and work very closely with them to ensure that parents also support their child's learning at home. Parents speak very highly of the nursery, especially the caring and nurturing nature of the staff. Parents were keen to share their views and gave many examples of the high-quality education provided at the nursery. For example, 'I've been blown away with my child's language development', and 'There is no place like it, it is a shining example of what a nursery should be'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are extremely confident in their knowledge of the signs and types of abuse and how they would respond to safeguarding situations. They are able to identify local safeguarding risks, such as an increase in domestic violence, which has meant that staff are more vigilant around this risk. Staff are very well trained and regularly tested on the meticulous safeguarding and child protection policies. Recruitment within the nursery is robust. A comprehensive induction programme is in place. Staff supervise children very well. All entrances to the premises are well secured and all staff hold a current paediatric first aid certificate. Detailed risk assessments for the premises and for outings mean that children are safe at all times.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2595516 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10246159 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 111 Number of children on roll 166 Name of registered person Explorers Daycare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01388833637 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Explorers Day Care Ltd registered in 2020. It is situated in Bishop Auckland. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualification from level 3 to level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. 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 inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

12 July 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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