Castle Kindergarten

Inspection of Castle Kindergarten Fyndoune Community College, Findon Hill, Sacriston, Durham, County Durham DH7 6LU

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children receive a warm, nurturing and friendly welcome when they arrive. They respond well to staff and learn in a fun and safe place. Children have a positive attitude to learning and are eager to join in the activities planned for them. Babies develop their movement skills. For example, they shuffle on their bottoms and reach for resources, such as books to look at. Two-year-olds enjoy making large marks using paint on paper. This is an early start to writing. Pre-school children explore resources linked to autumn. For example, they feel the skin on pumpkins and see how many smalls ones will fit into a measuring jug.

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The provision is good

The leadership team and staff are committed to working with the families and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator observes the children and guides staff on how they can work effectively to meet the needs of the children.

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The provision is good

Overall, children behave well. Staff give them lots of reminders to use kind hands and to walk in the rooms. However, there are times in pre-school, such as tidy up time, where children can be disruptive.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team has a clear vision for the future of the nursery. Though there has been a high turnover of staff recently, they feel that they are starting to build a good team. They are aware of staff's strengths and aspects of their practice that can be developed further. For example, currently they are focused on helping staff to make sure that the curriculum and planning meets children's individual needs, to raise their achievements to a higher level. n The professional development of staff is given priority. The leadership team carry out inhouse workshops with staff, to strengthen their knowledge and understanding. They observe staff in their work with children and give them guidance on what they could be doing better. They hold regular supervisions and appraisal meetings with staff, where they discuss individual children and their own development. n The leadership team use self-evaluation to identify what works well in the

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need to do better?

nursery and what could be better. They ensure that additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, is used effectively to promote the well-being and learning of children. For example, funds have been used to expand the outdoor area for children who learn best outside. They are keen to gain the children's voice on what they would like in this area and also to seek the views of parents. n Staff support children's early language development well. They focus on developing children's love of books and provide quiet, covered areas for them to read. Staff use singing and signing to include all children in developing their

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need to do better?

3 October 2022 communication and language skills. During activities, they introduce descriptive words. For example, they ask children to feel different items in a bag and to talk about what they feel like. n Staff act as good role models to the children. They listen when children talk and value what they say. Older children confidently hold conversations with staff and describe past events. Staff use effective questioning when communicating with children to extend conversations and build on children's learning. n Staff encourage children's independence. They support children to look after their belongings and manage their own self-care needs effectively. For example, pre-school children hang their coats up and self-register when they arrive in the morning. They access the bathroom independently and manage their own personal needs. This helps them to be ready for starting school. n Parents spoken to are very positive about the nursery and the work that staff do

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need to do better?

with their children. The manager has set up a welcoming environment at the entrance, with information displayed for parents. For example, they can borrow books to take home and share with their children. Explanations are displayed about why singing rhymes with children is beneficial for their communication and language development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leadership team and staff are alert to the risk factors that could make a child vulnerable. They recognise the signs that may suggest a child is unsafe in their home or the community. They know what to do if they have a child protection concern. They also know what to do should they have a concern about another member of staff. The manager provides regular opportunities for staff training in safeguarding. She confirms staff's knowledge through quizzes and questionnaires at staff meetings. The manager ensures the ongoing suitability of staff. Children play in a safe environment, that staff risk assess regularly.

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should:

n consider ways to fully involve pre-school children in routines, such as tidy up time, so that during these times children do not become disruptive n strengthen staff's understanding of the curriculum and how young children learn, to raise their achievements to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546317 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10257467 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 48 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Castle Kindergarten Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 3712895 Date of previous inspection 17 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Castle Kindergarten registered in 2017. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, all staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one member of staff with qualified teacher status. 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.

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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 and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a small group activity and discussed staff's interactions with the children. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n A meeting was held with the leadership team and the inspector. n Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

3 October 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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