Playdays

Inspection of Playdays Theatre House, White Hart Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1AD

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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 have good relationships with staff, who provide activities that support their interests. They access a wide range of books, both indoors and in the garden. Skilled staff use 'The Colour Monster' story to enable children to explore and understand their emotions. Children discuss what emotions link to each colour and how they can help people who are feeling sad. For example, children talk about giving someone a cuddle if they are feeling sad.

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The provision is good

Babies explore various resources with great interest. For example, they attempt to complete a shape sorter and staff give them praise for working out the correct hole for the shape. Staff sit with babies while they sleep after lunch, ensuring their safety and well-being.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy fresh home-cooked meals. They have the opportunity to contribute to the menu and choose to have pink custard for pudding. Children enjoy playing in the large garden area and go on regular walks in the local environment. They take part in drama sessions and go on outings to outdoor play sessions. Children begin to understand the risks in the local environment and talk about safe places to cross the road. Children readily approach visitors to share toys and resources.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a clear curriculum in place which is adapted for each age group. She monitors staff practice and ensures that they are clear about meeting children's needs through the use of their interests to support them. The provider supports staff through regular discussions and provides opportunities for continued professional development. n Parents praise the staff and state that the nursery team is well-led by the provider. They share that the staff communicate well with them and that they enjoy using an online platform to share information about their children. Parents feel that children are safe and well cared for. They praise the range of activities provided for the children. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) talks with passion about her role. She completes referrals to other agencies promptly so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the additional

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need to do better?

support that they need. The SENCo liaises with outside agencies effectively to support children with SEND, ensuring they reach their full potential. Staff complete training to support children who have medical care needs and parents report that staff embrace this training. n Staff provide access to a range of resources, both indoors and outdoors, for the children. Activities enable children to extend their previous learning. However, staff do not provide enough opportunities for older children to explore

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need to do better?

9 January 2023 technology n Staff encourage children to think about their behaviour and how it affects others. For example, when babies take toys from others, staff gently explain that they need to share and wait for their turn. Staff remind children to walk indoors and discuss with them how they could hurt themselves or others if they run. n Staff understand the importance of reading and sharing books with children. Staff use facial expressions when reading and they discuss what is happening in the pictures. All children receive encouragement to look, listen and respond to questions about the book. This enables the children to hear a wide range of vocabulary to strengthen their own language skills. n Staff organise large group activities while in the garden. For example, they encourage children to listen and follow instructions while using a large parachute with balls. Staff praise the children for following instructions. Children gain

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need to do better?

support when using crates to balance on. Staff encourage children to line up while waiting to have a turn.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard children in their care. They understand the need to act quickly to ensure children remain safe. Staff are committed to safeguarding children and work well with other agencies that help and support children and their families. Staff understand their role regarding 'Prevent' duty. They are aware of how to report any concerns they may have about a colleague and there are posters within the nursery about whistle-blowing. There are robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n help staff to find more ways for older children to develop their understanding of technology and find out how things work.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY336454 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10262990 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 40 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Playdays Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01842 752575 Date of previous inspection 13 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Playdays registered in 2006. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff, including the provider who works with the children and has the role of manager. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 5, one at level 4 and seven at level 3. They also employ an early years teacher and an apprentice. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 5.30pm. 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 observed the interactions between the staff and children. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. 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 completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early year's curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times 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

9 January 2023 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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