Blackthorn Good Neighbours Nursery

Inspection of Blackthorn Good Neighbours Nursery Blackthorn Good Neighbours Nursery and Family Centre, Blackthorn Local Shops, NORTHAMPTON NN3 8QH

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this remarkably inclusive and community-focused nursery. Parents and their children are welcomed into the nursery by kind, nurturing staff. Children show that they feel safe and secure as they greet staff and their friends upon arrival. They are excited to discover what is on offer as they confidently and freely explore the well-resourced nursery.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children are engrossed in sensory play as they squash dinosaurs into foam. Staff extend learning and introduce different vegetables to the activity, such as avocado and kale, for children to explore the different textures. Children learn about dinosaurs being herbivores or carnivores and link this to their peers who are vegetarians or vegans. This supports children to have understanding of others. Toddlers are offered many opportunities to practise their physical skills. For example, they busily fill buckets of water and carry the heavy buckets to fill trays on the floor. They excitedly splash in water as they giggle and laugh. Children begin to learn about healthy eating from a young age. Toddlers peel and chop apples to make healthy breakfast muffins. Oral health is widely supported as children brush their teeth daily with trained oral health staff. This helps children to develop healthy practices.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Children take pride in their daily routine and show increasing independence. For example, after lunch, they sort cutlery, plates and food waste into the correct trays once they have finished eating. Older children are given a role, such as 'snack monitor'. They help to prepare snack and notify friends it is their turn for snack using a photo system. This gives children a sense of ownership of their nursery and helps them to feel valued.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management and staff team have designed an ambitious curriculum based on their exceptional understanding of children who attend. They discuss children's needs and interests with their co-workers during fortnightly planning meetings. Staff decide precisely how they will support children to work towards their next steps in learning. Those children who are identified with needing additional support attend 'nurture' sessions to enhance their well-being. n Staff plan exciting activities that specifically meet the developmental needs of the children. All children show high levels of focus and self-motivation to join in. Staff are highly skilled at furthering children's learning with open-ended questions, and confidently allow time for children to answer. n Children's communication skills are expertly supported in this language-rich environment. Staff speak slowly and clearly, repeating words and modelling

p.2

need to do better?

sentences. Communication is further enhanced as all staff consistently use

p.2

need to do better?

1 February 2023 Makaton sign language as well as visual aids. Further to this, the nursery also provides small-group language sessions. This especially supports children who speak English as an additional language. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works extremely closely with other professionals and parents. She works with a multitude of outside agencies, such as an occupational therapist and a sensory impairment service. This supports staff to receive robust and tailored training on how best to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, all children make the best progress possible. n Staff are excellent role models. They quickly identify children who struggle to self-regulate their behaviour and offer additional support through their nurture group programme. This means children's behaviour is extremely well supported and children learn to play harmoniously, take turns and be kind to others. For

p.2

need to do better?

instance, as toddlers hand out cups, their peers us the sign for 'thank you'. n Staff encourage a love of books. The nursery library contains a wide variety of books in various languages that parents and children can access daily. Parent groups provide further opportunities for parents to share books with their children, supporting early literacy skills. Staff provide play opportunities linked to the 'book of the week', which enhances imaginative play. For example, toddlers name jungle animals, referring back to the characters in the book. They identify patterned material, such as leopard print, and match it to the animals they find. n The nursery is a valued part of the community. There are exceptional partnerships with parents. Staff offer home visits to further support parents and their children. They regularly speak with parents to explain exactly how they can continue to support their children's development at home. The nursery has also

p.3

need to do better?

implemented a 'help yourself table' of food donated by local shops which can be accessed by anyone who is part of the nursery community. Children and families who attend this nursery are extremely happy and well supported. n The manager has created a highly effective team. Monitoring systems work to support staff's professional development and to ensure the quality of teaching is consistently outstanding. Staff are extremely passionate about their roles in providing the best possible outcomes for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and all staff have an excellent understanding of their role to keep children safe from harm. All the staff know the procedure to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. They confidently identify a range of indicators of abuse. Staff have a vast knowledge of the local safeguarding issues, such as county lines and female genital mutilation. Recruitment processes are robust and the ongoing suitability of staff is a priority to managers. The premises are safe and secure. Staff complete robust risk assessments of all areas to ensure children can play and learn in a safe environment.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484188 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10236572 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 32 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Growing Together Northampton Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01604411166 Date of previous inspection 9 February 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Blackthorn Good Neighbours Nursery registered in 2015 and is situated in Northampton. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8.15am until 3.30pm. It employs 19 members of staff. Of these, 14 are qualified between level 3 and level 6. Funded early education is provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

1 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.

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