Middlecot House

Inspection of Middlecot House 22 Willington Road, Kirton, Lincolnshire PE20 1EJ

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children show they are happy and contented in the nursery. They arrive with smiles and give their parents a kiss as they leave them at the door. Babies listen for staff returning from a break and greet them with a big smile and a 'hiya' as they enter the room. Toddlers demonstrate good physical skills as they climb and slide on the outdoor equipment. Staff explain to them the different ways they can climb, such as using the ladder or the steep steps. Staff step back and allow the toddlers to use their big muscles to climb safely.

p.2

The provision is good

Babies play harmoniously alongside one another. As they help staff to build a train track, they kindly hand a piece of track to their friend. Staff praise this kindness, which helps to build babies' self-esteem. Toddlers begin to learn how to share and take turns. When two toddlers want the same toy, staff patiently and calmly explain they have to wait their turn or choose a different toy. Toddlers enjoy singing songs with staff. They excitedly choose a resource to represent which song is next. For example, children choose a doll and sing 'Miss Polly Had a Dolly', as they cradle the doll in their arms. This helps children to further develop their speech and language skills and builds their understanding of rhyming words.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager is knowledgeable about early years education. She delivers a curriculum that is informed by her understanding of the needs of the community and the children in her care. The learning environment has been carefully considered. For example, there is a strong emphasis on providing children with a learning experience that is built on the comfort of familiar everyday routines. n Staff provide a good range of stimulating activities for children which take account of their interests. However, staff do not always further extend and challenge children's thinking and learning as they play. As children struggle to fit their cars down a pipe, staff provide solutions rather than encourage the children to think of ways to solve the problem themselves. n Staff are good role models and demonstrate kindness and respect. They ask children 'please may I put on your sun cream?' This helps children to learn that

p.2

need to do better?

their opinions, and the opinions of others, are valued and respected. n Staff encourage children to be independent and help them to manage their own self-care from a young age. Babies drink their milk at snack time from an open cup. Older children learn about good hygiene routines as they wash their hands before having snack and lunch. n Relationships between staff and babies are excellent. Staff instantly pick up on babies' non-verbal communications. For example, as babies come to them for a cuddle mid-morning, staff recognise and suggest that they may be tired and require a nap. After a rest, babies wake up happy and come to staff for a cuddle

p.2

need to do better?

12 August 2022 as they become reaccustomed with their surroundings. This shows secure emotional attachments. n Overall, staff working with babies and toddlers support their emerging communication and language skills well. Staff provide a running commentary as children play, which helps to give meaning to what children are doing. However, some staff do not always model the correct pronunciation of new words to support children's emerging understanding. For example, staff working with babies use the word 'ta' and say 'can you show me the oink oink' rather than using the words thank you and pig. n The nursery have developed strong links to the local community. Staff often take children on walks into the village. They visit the local care home to interact with the residents. Children enjoy walks to the park and visit the local shops. This helps to develop children's understanding of the wider world beyond home and

p.2

need to do better?

the nursery. n Parents comment positively about the nursery. They say that staff keep them updated with what children are learning, and children's confidence has grown since attending. Parents are encouraged to attend planned events, such as the nursery fayre and parents evenings. This helps parents to find out about nursery activities and how they can support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms a child may be at risk of harm. They understand their duty to report concerns in a timely manner, to ensure children are kept safe. Staff take part in regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff carry out daily nursery opening and closing safety checks to ensure children are safe and secure, both indoors and outside. The management team follow safe recruitment procedures, to help ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. They complete regular additional checks to ensure staff's ongoing suitability to work with children.

p.3

should:

n develop staff understanding of how to help children to develop their critical thinking skills n help staff to understand the importance of always modelling the correct pronunciation of words to support children's language development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY495026 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10233086 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 100 Number of children on roll 99 Name of registered person Alpha Nurseries Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 010205 723664 Date of previous inspection 15 August 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Middlecott House registered in 2015. They are located in Kirton, near Boston, Lincolnshire. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager who holds an appropriate early years degree. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out two joint observations together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of written feedback offered.

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

12 August 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