St. Gabriels Nursery

Inspection of St. Gabriels Nursery Chillingham Road, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE6 5SH

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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 build strong emotional attachments with their key person and will seek them out for cuddles and reassurance when needed. Staff know the children well and are attentive and sensitive to their individual needs. Children clearly feel safe and secure. This helps them to become confident learners.

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The provision is good

Overall, children develop a deep appreciation for books. Pre-school children recall what a story is about before it is read to them. Toddlers enjoy looking at a book on their own or listening in a small group to a story being read. Books are available in each room. However, the books for younger children are not maintained well and do not entice children to browse through them and make their own choices.

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The provision is good

Staff have a strong focus on personal, social and emotional development across the nursery. They identified that children were less confident in this area when they returned to nursery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Children benefit from being split into small groups in their rooms. They move around the nursery in these small groups so that they all get an opportunity to access different activities, such as outdoor play. Children's behaviour is managed well in the nursery. Staff focus strongly on teaching children to share resources and take account of each other.

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need to do better?

n The experienced manager supports the staff team well. She is enthusiastic in her role and has a clear vision for how she wants the nursery to develop. Effective systems are in place for the supervision of all staff. The management team observes staff's practice and provides them with constructive feedback to further improve their teaching. Staff complete regular training, such as safer sleeping and choking. This helps to keep their knowledge and skills current. Robust recruitment ensures that suitable staff are appointed to work with children. n There is a strong focus on children's communication and language development. Staff use lots of commentary during children's play. They repeat words and rephrase what children say. For example, babies and toddlers enjoy sensory experiences, such as dried cereal and tasting various food. Staff introduce new words, such as 'crunchy' and 'sweet'. Music, movement and singing are part of

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need to do better?

everyday activities. This supports children's early attempts at communication. n Staff know the children very well, including those who need additional support. They observe children to assess what they can do and to identify many of the skills they need to learn next. Planning focuses on any gaps in children's learning and experiences. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good. Staff identify potential issues early on, and external support and advice are sought when necessary. Parents are fully involved in the process. n Children's health needs are promoted well. For example, staff gather detailed

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need to do better?

5 October 2022 information about children's individual dietary needs. They follow robust procedures to ensure children with allergies and special dietary requirements are met. Staff talk to children about caring for their teeth. However, they have not worked with parents to help identify those who need a dentist. n Partnership working with parents is effective. Management and staff work with parents of new children to find out about their needs and to help them settle in. Staff give parents a verbal update on their child's day when they collect them. Parents can also see staff's observations on their children on the online portal and have the opportunity for discussions about their child's development in meetings. Parents share their positive views of the setting and what staff do with their children. n Children develop an understanding of the area in which they live. For example, they recently visited the local church and learned about the Harvest Festival.

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need to do better?

Children look at different festivals throughout the year, and learn that they are unique and that not everyone has the same beliefs and cultural traditions as them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff confidently explain the procedures they would follow if they were concerned about a child. They are able to give examples of signs of abuse. They also have knowledge of whistle blowing and know that if concerns are not taken seriously, it is their responsibility to report. Managers test staff's knowledge and make sure their safeguarding training is always up to date. They use regular staff meetings and supervision sessions to discuss any safeguarding concerns. The nursery is safe and secure. Risk assessments are carried out. Recently changes have been made to how children access the garden from the first floor, to ensure that this is a safe process.

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should:

n promote children's enjoyment of books, particularly in the baby room, by making sure they are maintained in a good state of repair n develop methods for promoting the good oral health of children through links with parents.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 319303 Local authority Newcastle upon Tyne Inspection number 10257643 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 120 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person Kid 'N' Play Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01912 765 909 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St Gabriel's Nursery registered in 1996 and is situated in Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two staff with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. 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 setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspectors completed a learning walk together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspectors observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Management had a meeting with the inspectors and talked about how they lead and manage the nursery. n The inspectors took account of the views of parents.

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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

5 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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