The Old Station Nursery Harpole

Inspection of Harpole Day Nursery 47 Carrs Way, Harpole, NORTHAMPTON NN7 4BZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at Harpole Day Nursery. They are greeted at the door by warm, friendly staff. Toddlers and pre-school children are supported to separate from their parents before moving on to find their friends. Highly attentive staff handle babies with great care and support them to settle quickly. Staff know all children extremely well. This helps children to feel secure, form positive relationships with staff and develop a good sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Children are encouraged to independently manage their own coats and shoes. Staff have high expectations of children. Their positive interactions contribute to children's learning, and support children to understand and manage their own behaviour. Children, including babies, are learning to be kind to their friends. Staff support them with gentle reminders about sharing, waiting and taking turns.

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The provision is good

The environment is well resourced and babies and children can make independent choices about what they want to play with. All children enjoy learning, both indoors and outdoors. Staff plan a curriculum that takes account of children's interests and their learning needs. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are making good progress.

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need to do better?

n Parents and grandparents speak very highly about the nursery. They comment that the verbal and electronic feedback they receive supports them to know about their children's development. They believe children's positive social development is due to the time they spend at the pre-school. They specifically mention the strong bonds children have with staff. Consequently, parents are confident that children are safe and very well cared for. n The very youngest babies are supported at mealtimes while older babies are encouraged to feed themselves. Children, including those with SEND, learn to pour drinks and serve their own lunch. All children are very well supervised, and their individual dietary needs are well catered for. n Staff have developed a well-considered and exciting curriculum that supports children's learning. Babies and toddlers choose freely from activities, games and books. Older children enjoy sensory play, arts, crafts and woodwork. Children

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need to do better?

who are learning about yellow have explored lemons in the water tray and enjoy painting daffodils. Staff support children's curiosity as they examine the petals and buds of the flowers in a vase. n Staff build on children's skills and knowledge, which helps them to be ready to move rooms within the nursery or to start school. For example, two-year-olds who move to the toddler room are given extra support as they negotiate their new environment and begin to make new friends.

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need to do better?

27 February 2023 n Pre-school children enjoy being outside in the 'secret garden'. They are eager to play in the mud kitchen and to have a go at woodworking. However, pre-school staff do not always plan or manage the resources and time needed for group activities. For example, activities often become crowded, and staff are not always fully prepared with sufficient resources. Therefore, children do not always gain the most from these opportunities. n Babies and children are supported to develop their communication skills. Staff in the baby room spontaneously sing and engage babies in games such as peek-a- boo. Babies cuddle beside staff to share picture books and listen to stories. Toddlers share familiar stories and learn the names of the food eaten by the hungry caterpillar. Pre-school children laugh and giggle with staff as they share number rhymes. n The manager and deputy spend time in each room observing staff interactions

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need to do better?

with children. Staff are provided with purposeful feedback which encourages them to become reflective practitioners. The manager and deputy have a clear vision for the nursery's future. Staff share positive relationships with the management team. They comment that their well-being is a high priority, and that Harpole Day Nursery is a happy place to work.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a clear understanding of how to keep children safe. They understand the main types of abuse and how to recognise signs of neglect. They have clear policies and procedures that support them to report concerns about children and the behaviour of adults. Staff understand who they can talk to about their concerns. They record accidents and injuries, and use these records to help them to risk assess the pre-school. Staff recognise the importance of training, and value opportunities to learn about issues such as the 'Prevent' duty and how to support families to keep their children safe.

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should:

n develop staff practice when working with groups of children, in particular in the pre-school room.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY310020 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10234943 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 34 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Bambino Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01604 830 324/01604 831520 Date of previous inspection 29 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Harpole Day Nursery registered in 2005. It is situated in Harpole, Northampton. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff, eight of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above. The manager has a level 3 qualification. The nursery is open from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, all year round, except for bank holidays. 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 quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to parents and grandparents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. They looked at relevant documentation and 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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Inspection activities

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