Thrive Lark Hill House

Inspection of Astley Nature Kindergarten Larkhill House, 320 Manchester Road, Astley, Tyldesley, MANCHESTER M29 7DY

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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 enjoy attending this welcoming nursery. Staff work hard to ensure children feel safe and secure. Children quickly establish warm and trusting relationships with staff. Detailed information gathered when children first start supports their transition to nursery life. Children are engaged and motivated in their chosen activities. Each room is a hive of activity where staff carefully consider what it is that they want children to learn. Children explore with confidence as they independently select what they would like to play with. Older children are able to express their ideas, which are listened to by the attentive staff team. This supports children's emotional well-being, as they know their opinions are valued and considered.

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The provision is good

Children behave well for their age. Young children are learning how to share and to take turns. For example, when children create pictures using glue and collage materials, staff encourage them to share the tools and resources. Older children show kindness to one another as they help their friends put on boots for outdoor play. Staff offer clear and consistent reminders and explain why some behaviours are unwanted. This means children are learning right from wrong and developing an understanding of what is expected of them.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from a range of activities and experiences that reflect their interests and what they need to learn next. Staff use assessment well to quickly address any emerging gaps in children's learning. Consideration is given to children's prior achievements and existing skills. Each activity that staff devise has a clear learning intention that is tailored to meet children's individual needs. As a result, children are developing essential skills needed for future learning. n Children's outdoor learning is a key feature of this nursery. Staff plan activities that encourage children to spend lots of time in the fresh air, exploring nature and the natural world around them. Children develop skills such as climbing, balancing and hand-eye coordination. They create obstacle courses with planks and tyres and learn to move their bodies in many different ways. n Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have focused their teaching on

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need to do better?

strengthening children's speaking skills. The majority of staff model language well and introduce new vocabulary as children play. However, some staff do not fully understand how the use of dummies can impact on a child's speech and language development. n Children enjoy listening to the stories that staff read. Young children point to pictures and turn pages independently, while older children talk about what they think might happen next. However, book areas within the nursery are not inviting. Dedicated spaces for children to relax and choose a story are tired and

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need to do better?

22 February 2023 worn, and many books are in a poor state of repair. This does not fully promote a love of literacy among children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. The dedicated special educational needs coordinator has completed relevant training that enables her to assist and advise families and staff. Strong partnership working with other professionals helps to ensure that children quickly receive any additional support they might need. All children, including those with SEND, make good progress in their development. This is because staff know them well and plan purposeful activities to help them excel from their starting points. n Staff practice is observed by leaders, both formally and informally. The manager and deputy both work within rooms to help maintain staff ratios. This means that staff receive continuous coaching and modelling, so they are able to

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need to do better?

improve their practice, knowledge and understanding. Nevertheless, due to recent difficulties in recruitment and retention, many of the staff are new to their roles. Some of these less experienced staff occasionally lack confidence, and inconsistencies exist in staff practice because of this. n Parent partnerships are good. Parents are complimentary about the nursery and staff team. They feel well informed about their child's development and that their children are making good progress.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their role in protecting children form harm. They confidently describe the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children's welfare. Safeguarding is discussed at staff meetings, and leaders use spot questioning to check staff's understanding. Robust recruitment arrangements are in place. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and remain so for the duration of their employment. Staff implement effective risk assessments and deploy themselves well so that children are supervised at all times.

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should:

n support staff to understand children's communication and language development, with particular regard to the use of dummies and how these can impact on children's speech n consider the dedicated book areas within the nursery and ensure that these areas are inviting and books are in a good state of repair, to establish a love of literacy among children n continue to foster the skills of staff who are new or less confident so that they

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should:

22 February 2023 develop their confidence, knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY372041 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10277468 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 100 Number of children on roll 150 Name of registered person Thrive Childcare And Education Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01942 897 739 Date of previous inspection 15 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Astley Nature Kindergarten registered in 2008. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting 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 setting. n The manager, deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the nursery manager and deputy manager. n The inspector held discussions with leaders, staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including the suitability of staff and first-aid qualifications.

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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

22 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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