Avondale Cheeky Monkeys

Inspection of Avondale Cheeky Monkeys Dyke House Sports and Technology College, Mapleton Road, Hartlepool TS24 8NQ

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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 bound through the door at the start of their day, excited to see their friends and join in their play. They are greeted by familiar staff, who give them a very warm welcome. Children are clearly happy and secure in staff's care.

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The provision is good

Overall, staff plan carefully for children's learning. They identify what they want children to learn next, which contributes to the good progress that all children make. Activities are appealing, which motivates children to learn. For example, children watch in awe and wonder as staff support them to make 'rain clouds' using water, foam and food dye. Babies explore a range of textures, such as warm cotton wool and cold ice. Toddlers excitedly learn about light, dark and shadows when they use torches in a dark den that they make. Older children are keen to use their checklist to see which birds visit the garden.

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The provision is good

Staff know that some children have had limited social experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They help children to play alongside and with other children, teaching them to be kind, to share and to take turns. This supports children's positive behaviour well.

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need to do better?

n From an early age, children have plenty of opportunities to develop their hand muscles. Babies handle objects of different shapes and sizes. Older children squeeze dough and use scissors to snip it. These activities contribute to children's very good achievements in early writing. Children frequently write independently during play. They make very good attempts at forming letters. For example, they write a party invitation for their grandparents. n Children have plenty of opportunities to lead their own play. Alongside this, staff plan a range of focused, adult-led activities. Overall, they use these well to help children to learn and remember more. However, at times, younger children find it difficult to understand some parts of activities. The wide range of age and abilities of children at these times makes it difficult for staff to focus their good teaching as precisely as possible. n Staff know that some children need extra support with their speech. They work

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need to do better?

well with parents and professionals to help children to develop their language skills. However, at times, they overlook ways to help all children to achieve as well as possible in this area of learning. For example, they sometimes use simple, familiar words when speaking to children. This does not fully challenge children to develop and understand a wide vocabulary. n The long-serving manager and deputy manager work very well together to maintain, and build upon, their good practice. Staff feel well supported and their workload is manageable. Regular evaluations by managers take account of

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 feedback from parents and drive improvements to practice. For example, following a questionnaire, staff are developing ways to share even more information with parents about children's learning. n Parents are very happy with the care and education provided. They describe staff as amazing and say they go 'above and beyond'. Parents particularly appreciate support for children when moving to a new room, which helps them to feel emotionally secure and happy in nursery. They say communication is excellent and they feel 'involved and informed'. n Staff support children well to manage their frustrations. Children learn to understand the needs of others and to consider the impact their behaviour might have. Those who struggle to manage their emotions benefit from skilful interventions from staff. For example, staff use 'emotion stones' to encourage children to share their feelings. They ensure children know what will happen

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need to do better?

next, which helps them to understand what is expected of them at different times of the day. n Children learn ways to stay healthy. They eagerly brush their teeth each morning, and they know they must keep their toothbrush clean. Staff encourage plenty of physical activities to teach children about the importance of exercise. Furthermore, they provide nutritious, home-cooked meals and teach children about the benefits of healthy foods and drinks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff keep up to date with safeguarding legislation and guidance, for example, by attending relevant training courses. This contributes to their secure understanding of a wide range of forms of abuse and neglect. They know the signs that can indicate that a child is at risk from harm. Well-understood procedures to record and report any concerns about a child's welfare help to ensure that families that need support receive it quickly. Staff hold paediatric first-aid qualifications, which helps them to deal with accidents appropriately. Managers review accident records, as part of their risk assessments, to identify and eliminate any potential hazards.

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should:

n review the organisation of adult-led activities, so that staff can focus their teaching more precisely on what children of different abilities need to learn n model rich and varied language more consistently to help children use and understand an even greater range of words.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY467928 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10264269 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Northern Education Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01429424290 ext 4237 Date of previous inspection 9 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Avondale Cheeky Monkeys registered in 2013 and is located in Hartlepool. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm. It opens all year round, except for two weeks at Christmas and 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 nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with managers and staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation. n The manager and deputy manager accompanied the inspector on a learning walk. They talked about how they organise their provision and about their early years curriculum. 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 The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector met to discuss leadership and management of the nursery. The inspector viewed relevant documents provided for inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She spoke to one parent and took account of the views of others

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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

16 March 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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