Whitecross Day Nursery

Inspection of Whitecross Day Nursery Whitecross Nursery School & Creche, 166 Whitecross Road, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 0DH

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy to attend and explore the nursery with confidence. Parent partnerships are a key focus to ensure children feel safe and secure. Children engage in activities that follow their interests and motivate them to learn. They are keen to join in with a wide range of activities, both indoors and outside. Activities are well planned to build on what children already know and can do. Children show a positive attitude to learning and approach challenges with enthusiasm. They make good progress and have fun while learning.

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The provision is good

The nursery has a calm atmosphere. There is an emphasis on supporting children's emotional development. The pre-school room 'retreat' is a quiet space where children can go to relax. Meditation and yoga are part of the pre-school routine and help children unwind after a busy day at play. Staff help children to express their emotions and support them with self-regulation.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and respect one another. They follow the 'Golden rules' of the setting that promote kindness and the skills to learn. They listen carefully to staff and their friends and follow instructions.

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need to do better?

n The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges for the management and staff. However, they have worked hard to support all children to make good progress. The management have ambitious plans for the future. They continually reflect on what they do and how they can improve with the whole nursery team. n The staff team have a wealth of experience and skills. Members of staff have area development roles. They research, review and share best practice to improve the outcomes for children. n This is an inclusive setting and staff have high expectations for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are welcome and supported to reach their potential. The managers are proactive in seeking external support for children. Staff ratios ensure children receive the support they need. Staff observations and assessments of children enable staff to identify developmental concerns early. n Staff encourage a love of books, sharing stories with children indoors and

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need to do better?

outside. Children enjoy story time cuddles with staff in Tiny Tots and small group story times in the Rainbow Room. Pre-school children share relaxing story time sessions that develop their imagination skills. n Staff lead music and song time with enthusiasm. Children listen and respond with rhythm, dance and smiles. Language skills develop as children join in with nursery rhymes and action songs. Dance and music sessions encourage older children to practise their physical skills.

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need to do better?

28 July 2022 n Staff communicate well as a team. They reflect, review and plan activities around children's interests and abilities. However, sometimes the organisation of activities and group sizes means children with communication and language needs are not fully supported. n Transitions from home to nursery are well supported. Parents complete welcome packs to inform staff of children's interests and starting points. The key-person system is well embedded and ensures children settle quickly. Staff warmly greet their key children each day and take care of their daily needs. This transition support continues as children move rooms and finally move on to school. Management and staff ensure effective communication links are in place to aid smooth transitions. n Daily routines are not organised well enough. For example, children are often required to wait on the carpet and line up to go to the toilet, wash hands and go

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need to do better?

outside. This often prevents children from participating fully in all activities. n The nursery gardens provide challenge for all abilities. Children explore the grounds and develop a range of skills. Plans are in place to further develop this area, to maximise the space and continue the indoor learning, outdoors.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff are passionate about keeping children safe. They go above and beyond to protect the children in their care. Robust safeguarding measures are in place. Management and staff complete risk assessments and review them regularly to ensure the safety of children. Toys and resources are well maintained. All staff have a secure knowledge of signs of child abuse and what to do to protect children. Safe recruitment and vetting procedures are in place. All staff complete safeguarding training and have regular updates. Managers complete ongoing supervision and suitability checks with staff and assess their safeguarding knowledge.

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should:

n review the organisation of daily routines so that children have more time to access all areas of the setting, to maximise their learning potential n consider the organisation of small-group sessions to fully support children's communication and language skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2518837 Local authority Herefordshire Inspection number 10207976 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 86 Number of children on roll 110 Name of registered person Whitecross Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01432 266632 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Whitecross Day Nursery re-registered in 2019. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 have early years qualifications at level two and above, including the manager who holds a level 6 qualification, three staff who hold level 5 qualifications and two who hold level 7 qualifications. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year around. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30. 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 the evaluations of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all the areas of the nursery and discussed their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to staff and held a meeting with the pre-school manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and checked evidence of the suitability of all those working in the pre-school.

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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

28 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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