The Acorn Room at Hillside

Inspection of The Cedar Room at Hillside Hillside Nursery School, Cedar Avenue, Haslingden, Rossendale BB4 5NH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and ready to explore this calming, nurturing environment. They are greeted with a friendly smile, and they separate easily from their parents. Staff have a lovely manner with the children. They sensitively respond to children's gestures, babbles and vocalisations to encourage early communication. Collections of resources are at low levels, allowing children to access materials independently. This allows them to take charge of their own play. Treasure baskets and practical, hands-on play opportunities allow babies to explore their senses and develop problem-solving skills.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children and encourage independence from an early age. Young toddlers try to put on their own wellies and coats to go outside to play. Children love to play outdoors, walking around the nature trail and taking notice of the environment around them. They enjoy the freedom to roll down the low slopes and lie on the grass, looking up at the sky. Staff work closely with parents to implement routines that suit the individual child, such as feeding and sleeping times. Staff share information about the child's learning in the setting and how parents can support and extend their learning at home.

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need to do better?

n Leaders implement a progressive, enquiry-based curriculum. It focuses on the image of the child and their journey to mastery across the setting. As such, the aspirations for achievement across all areas are high. n Leaders embed the curriculum across the setting. Children have individualised activities, which reflect their needs and interests. This helps children to engage and enjoy activities set for them. Staff are effective in encouraging children to try things for themselves instead of doing it for them. As such, children show curiosity and resilience in reaching their goals. n Children join in with familiar songs and rhymes and anticipate what is coming next. Staff provide a narrative for children's play, asking questions and offering meaning to new words. This is one of the ways staff promote children's speech and language and develop their communication skills. n Staff provide continuous access to the large, outdoor play area. This is equipped

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need to do better?

with an array of climbing equipment, slopes and free space for them to move around. As a result, children have many opportunities to practice their physical skills. This helps them to develop strength and movement and promotes their well-being. n Leaders and staff promote children's emotional health and well-being. They encourage even the youngest children to talk about their feelings and emotions. Staff use age-appropriate stories and puppets to help young children to communicate if they are feeling happy or sad. They also talk about how their

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need to do better?

27 February 2023 friends feel and how to make them feel better. This is one of the ways staff support children to develop empathy and compassion. n Leaders promote literacy through their planning. Staff focus on key texts each half term, which provides the opportunity for children to really become familiar with the story. Children learn repeating phrases and explore activities linked to the story. For example, they create a farmyard using different materials so that they can explore sounds and textures. Children become truly immersed in the story and develop a love of books. n Leaders and staff work closely with parents to gather information about the child's learning. This helps staff to gain a picture of the child's abilities and possible next steps on entry to the setting. Children's progress is monitored regularly to identify any gaps in their learning and to celebrate their achievements. Staff enhance the provision to help fill any gaps and ensure all

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need to do better?

children make progress, regardless of their starting points. n Supervision and appraisals are carried out regularly across the year. Leaders support staff to identify areas of strength and areas where their practice could be improved. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant staff changes. Leaders support the development of the staff team through modelling, coaching and training techniques to share their vision and help them to improve their practice. They draw on the strengths of the team to enhance the quality of provision and strengthen learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are fully aware of their responsibilities in relation to keeping children safe. They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report any concerns about a child. They are familiar with the whistle-blowing procedure and confident in using it to report concerns. Risk assessments are in place and the setting is well maintained and secure. Hygiene is paramount, and regular cleaning takes place. Leaders implement effective procedures to record illness or injury to a child. They follow public health guidance on infection control to ensure minimal risk from infection or cross-contamination.

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should:

n continue to develop the staff team to strengthen the quality of teaching to an even higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2613330 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10277445 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 9 Number of children on roll 5 Name of registered person Hillside Nursery School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01706214162 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Cedar Room at Hillside registered in 2021 and operates from within Hillside Nursery School in Haslingden. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, two hold appropriate qualifications at level 6 and two hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 8.55am to 11.55am and from 12.40pm to 3.40pm, with wraparound care available.

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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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

27 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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