Playmates II

Inspection of Playmates II 55-57 Murray Street, HARTLEPOOL, Cleveland TS26 8PQ

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are curious learners who confidently explore their environment. They benefit from an ambitious curriculum that helps them to prepare well for what they need to learn next. Babies benefit from a nurturing environment with a vast space to help them to develop their physical skills. They quickly move from crawling to pulling themselves up to a standing position before taking their first steps. Staff offer consistent praise and encouragement, rejoicing as children master their new achievements. This helps to promote children's self-esteem. Toddlers develop more confidence in their own abilities and show an increasing level of independence, learning to do things for themselves. Children make their own choices in their play and learning.

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The provision is good

All children behave well. They develop strong friendships with one another. For instance, pre-school children work together to solve problems they encounter. They make predications in their play. One example of this is, children add paint in water to make pretend potions. Children estimate what colour they will make. They count how many hooped cereal pieces they can add onto their pasta sticks. Children show excellent levels of imagination and tell staff that their sticks look like they are toasting marshmallows. Staff offer support and coaching for children and encourage children to think of ways they can extend this activity. Children use blankets and pretend to go camping. They make a pretend fire to toast their marshmallows. This helps to promote children's creative skills.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff team have worked hard since the previous inspection. This is reflected in how the curriculum is implemented across the setting. The manager meets regularly with staff and has action plans in place to help them to evaluate the overall quality of the setting. Due to recent staffing issues the managers spends most of her time working alongside staff in the nursery. However, she is unable to dedicate more focussed time on observing practice to swiftly identify and address any emerging weaknesses. n Communication and language is a strong focus for the nursery. Staff model language and introduce new words as children play. For instance, during a pretend bug hunt game staff encourage young children to use words such as 'magnifying glass'. Staff provide a running commentary as children play. They sing nursery rhymes and read stories to children. Children show a keen interest in stories and respond to questions staff ask about the stories they read.

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need to do better?

n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents are complimentary of the care their children receive at the setting. They talk fondly of their child's key person and compliment them on how quickly their children settle. Parents are invited into the setting for parents' evenings and staff share observations and assessments

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need to do better?

9 February 2023 of children's learning. Staff talk to parents about children's achievements and what they have shown an interest in at nursery, such as their favourite story book. n Staff are respectful in managing children's personal care. They continually talk to them about what they are doing and always seek their permission. The impact is that children are valued. n Children are provided with a variety of healthy meals and snacks. Staff sit with children and encourage manners, independence and conversation. Children's good oral health is promoted throughout the nursery and staff talk to children about healthy choices. Children follow good hygiene practices. n Children in receipt of additional funding and with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported in the setting. Staff liaise closely with other professionals to offer specific targets to help children to prepare well

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need to do better?

for what they need to learn next. For instance, staff source specialist resources for children to use at the setting. n Children are aware of the nursery routine. They participate in tasks appropriate to their age and stage of development, such as helping to tidy away toys and resources. Older children 'vote' for their favourite stories to be read before mealtimes. However, some transition times are not organised as E. Some children do not have the opportunity to listen to their chosen story and are left waiting too long before the next part in the routine.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding practices. This includes the steps to follow in the event of a concern about the welfare of a child. Staff receive regular training including a thorough induction and probationary programme when they first start employment. The manager reviews the ongoing suitability of staff and is aware of her responsibility to notify the relevant authorities of any allegations against staff. Staff understand the impact of domestic violence on children and are aware of any signs that a child or family maybe exposed to extreme views or behaviours.

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should:

n focus time on observing staffs practice to swiftly identify and address any emerging weaknesses n review transition times to ensure all learning is fully promoted and captured.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280880 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10237913 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 104 Number of children on roll 146 Name of registered person Playmates Private Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01429 272500 Date of previous inspection 29 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Playmates II registered in 2004. The nursery employs 26 members of childcare staff. Of these, 22 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one member of staff with a level 5 qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, apart from bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with inspectors during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspectors during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspectors about how they support children with SEND. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors.

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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 February 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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