Whitley Lodge Under Fives

Inspection of Whitley Lodge Under Fives Whitley Lodge First School, Woodburn Drive, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear NE26 3HW

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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 come into the playgroup happy and confident. If any children are unsettled, staff are quickly on hand to provide reassurance and support. Children know the routine very well. They find their picture cards, self-register and wash their hands. Children demonstrate that they are happy, content and feel safe in the playgroup. This is evident as children keenly wave and give a warm welcome to new visitors to the setting, such as the inspector. Children relish outdoor play, where they get plenty of exercise. They take calculated risks as they jump off equipment and walk across large pillars in the well-equipped garden. Children excitedly use spray bottles and paintbrushes to make marks. Staff encourage children to mix red, white, and blue paint. Children discuss the variety of colours they make.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is very good. Staff are excellent role models. Children learn how to recognise their emotions. For example, they read the book 'The Colour Monster' and use colours to indicate their feelings. Staff discuss these at circle time and support children to recognise and understand their feelings. Children have many opportunities to be creative. They practise using scissors, glue and a variety of materials to make coronation bunting and crowns. Staff support children to hold the scissors the correct way. This strengthens their small muscles in preparation for early writing skills.

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need to do better?

n Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children behave well and are beginning to manage their own feelings. When children struggle with their behaviour, staff are on hand to provide gentle reminders about what type of behaviour is expected. This helps children to develop a sense of right and wrong. n The manager and deputy manager are an excellent support to the team. Staff's well-being and mental health are paramount. They make good use of supervision meetings to support staff effectively. Staff are comfortable approaching the manager at any time. They attend regular team meetings to reflect on their practice and training sessions that help to support them in their role. n There is effective partnership working with other settings. The manager ensures there is a regular sharing of information when children attend another setting. Furthermore, staff engage effectively with other professionals, such as speech

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need to do better?

and language, health visitors and local authority advisors. They share information about children's development and ensure that any referrals are made swiftly. This helps to support children's learning and development. n The manager and her team have an ambitious curriculum. They build on what

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need to do better?

4 May 2023 children know and can already do. Staff make effective ongoing assessments of children's achievements. They provide children with a stimulating learning environment, indoors and outdoors. This helps children to make good progress. However, at times, during planned activities, staff do not focus clearly on the most important learning they want children to achieve. This impacts on the progress children make. n Children's communication and language skills are supported well. Staff talk to children all the time. For instance, they introduce new words, such as 'cocoon, passenger' and 'enormous'. Staff regularly introduce topics for discussion. For example, children talk about the King's coronation. This helps to develop children's speaking and listening skills. n Children's physical development is supported well. For instance, they take part in a 'wake up, shake up' session. Furthermore, they mix ingredients as they make

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need to do better?

dough and practise spreading butter onto their bread at snack time. This helps to build up their large-and-small muscle skills, coordination and stamina. n Parents and carers speak very highly of the setting. They comment that the setting is a 'lovely, welcoming learning space'. They commend the manager and her team for being friendly, supportive and approachable. Parents enjoy the feedback they receive about their children's activities and feel fully involved in their children's learning. n Children are developing good independence skills. They wash their hands after toileting and before eating. Children independently wipe their own noses and place the tissues in the bin. Children identify their own coats and put them on with little support. Furthermore, children are able to ask for help when they need it. This helps to develop some of the skills needed for future learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are confident in their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. They complete relevant training and know the wide range of signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow if an allegation is raised against a colleague. Staff manage the security of the premises well to ensure children are safe, including when they arrive and depart. Robust vetting and recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff attend regular supervision sessions with the manager to ensure their ongoing suitability.

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should:

n ensure planned activities focus more consistently on the intended learning, to help children achieve their full potential.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 310255 Local authority North Tyneside Inspection number 10280695 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 18 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Whitley Lodge Under 5's

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reference number

Telephone number 01912972002 Date of previous inspection 27 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Whitley Lodge Under Fives registered in 1993. It operates from a classroom within Whitley Lodge First School in Whitley Bay. The setting opens from 9am to 12 midday, Monday to Friday, and from 12.35pm to 3.05pm Monday and Wednesday, term time only. The setting receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are currently five members of staff working directly with the children, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one who has qualified teacher status.

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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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the 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 inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting. n The inspector carried a out joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

4 May 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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