Woodlands Day Nursery

Inspection of Woodlands Day Nursery 2 Artemis Court, St. Johns Road, Meadowfield, DURHAM DH7 8XQ

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective because staff do not robustly check the safety of areas which children will use. However, children are keen and enthusiastic to come to the nursery and are welcomed by friendly staff. Staff support children who are new to the nursery and provide reassurance to help them settle in. Although leaders have worked extremely hard to develop a new curriculum, this is not implemented yet and the quality of staff's teaching is variable. Staff use praise to manage children's behaviour positively. However, at snack time, children do not receive clear messages about rules and boundaries to keep them safe. Children drop food on the floor, and other children pick this up. This does not promote their good health.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They have targeted support plans to use. This helps them to focus on minimising gaps in children's learning. For example, children enjoy a singing session making animal sounds. Staff model sounds to them and help them develop their language skills. Staff work hard to establish and maintain effective parent partnerships. Parents are welcome in the nursery, as the restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic have been reduced. This has helped staff to get to know children's families and promote continuity of care.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff team do not assess risks and hazards thoroughly, particularly in the outdoor area. Staff do not identify risks associated with stagnant water and they allow children to play in this. Ofsted received information that an unauthorised person was able to enter the nursery. However, the leadership team has taken steps to minimise the chance of this reoccurring. n The leadership team is very experienced and has a clear vision for improving the new nursery. There are detailed plans in place to develop the curriculum. Leaders model good practice to staff and provide support to the new manager in her role. They show dedication and commitment to providing staff with a professional and supportive place to work. n Staff do not consistently provide experiences for children to engage in their learning. This means that some activities lack purpose, and staff do not extend children's learning. For example, staff focus on children's strengths as opposed

p.2

need to do better?

to supporting them in areas of difficulty. Occasionally, children wander around and show signs of boredom. n In contrast, teaching modelled by leaders is of high quality. They challenge children to share their knowledge, then help them extend this and develop their skills. For example, children identify that they have made a square. Leaders ask

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 them how they know this, and children point out the four sides. Leaders extend this into drawing other shapes and challenge children to further develop their mathematical skills. n Children receive specific praise from some staff, which helps them to know what they are doing well. However, some staff do not consistently implement boundaries for children. For example, they ask children to come back to the table with their snacks but do not reinforce this instruction. n Staff know how to meet children's emotional needs extremely well. They are kind and nurturing and have very good relationships with children. Despite the weakness in safeguarding, children demonstrate that they feel secure with staff. They seek reassurance from staff and enjoy lots of cuddles. Children have good levels of self-esteem and grow in confidence. n Children's good health is not promoted. For example, children walk around

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need to do better?

during snack time, eating food and drinking formula milk. Some children try to drink from the bottles and eat crackers which other children have left on the floor and table. This does not prevent the risk of cross-infection and is a risk to children who have allergies. n Staff help children to develop their independence and self-help skills. Children benefit from praise as they put their wellingtons on and try to put their arms in their sleeves. Older children use tissues independently and put them in the bin. Staff support children to begin to use the toilet and wash their hands correctly. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Staff gather detailed information about children and their families. This helps them to prepare resources which they know children enjoy. Parents say that their children are very happy here and staff know them well.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Risks and hazards are not robustly identified or minimised. This has a negative impact on children's safety. However, staff's child protection knowledge is secure. They can identify the potential signs of abuse and know how to respond swiftly. The manager ensures that staff stay up to date with a range of child protection issues, such as county lines and signs of neglect. There are clear policies and procedures to follow to record and report concerns. The leadership team follows safer recruitment procedures and check staff's suitability to work with children. For instance, staff have Disclosure and Barring Service checks, which are regularly verified.

p.3

Due date

14 March 2023 ensure that risks and hazards are identified and staff understand all steps they need to take to minimise them 13/04/2023

p.3

Due date

improve staff's understanding of how to provide experiences for children which are challenging and help them to engage deeply in their learning 13/05/2023

p.4

Due date

promote children's good health consistently and ensure that they have a safe, hygienic space to eat and drink. 13/05/2023

p.4

should:

n support children to understand behavioural boundaries and expectations consistently, particularly at mealtimes.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2699440 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10278138 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 55 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Northumbria Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07951539805 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Woodlands Day Nursery re-registered in 2022. It is situated in the Meadowfield Industrial Estate in Durham. The nursery employs two members of childcare staff, including the manager. The manager has a degree in early childhood studies. The other member of staff holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three and four-year- old children.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector discussed any continued 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 on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the manager and the inspector, indoors during children's activities. n The inspector held a discussion with one of the nursery's directors and the manager in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of recruitment, staff's qualifications and their suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke to parents and obtained feedback for the inspection.

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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

14 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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