What a Hoot Day Nursery

Inspection of What a Hoot Day Nursery Formerly St Andrews Primary School, Albion Way, Blyth NE24 5BW

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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 are confident and happy learners, who show a strong sense of belonging. They readily approach staff for support and reassurance during their play. Children become absorbed in their learning. Babies try hard and persevere when stacking rings. Pre-school children eagerly investigate the wild flowers in the garden, looking up facts about what they find in books and on the internet.

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The provision is good

Learning is fun in this nursery. Staff ensure that children have plenty of choice in activities and offer them plenty of praise and encouragement. Children try hard and have a positive attitude. They declare, 'I can do it!' when they manage to walk along a balance beam, glowing with pride at their achievements. Overall, staff support all children's learning very well, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff provide activities that appeal to children's interests, which encourages their involvement. For example, children who are reluctant to learn about letters enjoy searching for the letters from their names in dough.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations. They encourage children to be independent, for example, encouraging them to drink from an open cup from an early age. Staff teach children values that help them to develop care and understanding for others. Children take turns and offer to share toys and equipment with their friends.

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need to do better?

n The quality of education is good overall, and some aspects are exceptional. Staff support children extremely well to lead their own learning. For example, when children pretend to visit a theme park, staff skilfully weave learning into their imaginative play. They learn and copy mathematical language when making wands for their play. Staff encourage them to create their own games and develop rules, for example, 'Freeze!', where they must stand still for the 'magic camera'. n Staff observe children at play to help them make accurate assessments of their progress and plan for their learning. Occasionally, however, staff do not ensure that children have secured the necessary prior knowledge and skills before providing further challenge in their learning. n Children are fluent and articulate talkers. They confidently chat to visitors about what they like to do in the nursery. Staff support their language development

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need to do better?

well. For example, they use simple signs that help children to communicate more effectively. They encourage children to develop a love of stories and songs, which helps them to learn new words. n Parents speak highly of the electronic system that staff use to share information about their child's day and about their learning. Staff share targets with them,

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need to do better?

1 June 2023 which helps them to further support their children's learning at home. They say their children are 'fundamentally happy' to be at nursery and that they 'bounce through the door every day'. n The manager's positive approach inspires staff and leads to consistent improvements in the provision. For example, they regularly review and rearrange the learning environment to meet children's changing needs and interests. Professional development is closely aligned to identified areas for development. This contributes to the ongoing improvements to the quality of teaching. n The nursery remained open for vulnerable children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff consider the ongoing impact of the pandemic on children. They take account of children's experiences and take positive steps to build on these. For example, they provide activities such as football coaching and dance sessions. They acknowledge the social development opportunities these bring,

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need to do better?

particularly for those children who have not experienced such activities outside of nursery. n Children benefit from staff's positive approach to managing their behaviour. They understand what is expected of them and readily follow staff's instructions and guidance. They are very eager to please, showing delight when staff give them a sticker for good sitting and good singing. They learn to manage their feelings and frustrations. n Additional funding is used extremely well to support eligible children, particularly children with SEND. For example, higher staff-to-child ratios and specialised resources help to ensure that all children can access the curriculum and that their care needs are met well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff are committed to keeping children safe. They have secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and are highly vigilant. They get to know families well, which helps them to quickly identify any changes in a child's life that may impact on their well-being. Swift and appropriate action is taken if there are concerns about a child's welfare to ensure that families get the help and support that they need. Children are very well supervised in the nursery. Accidents are recorded and investigated to identify any ways to eliminate hazards and further protect children from harm.

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should:

n help children more consistently to remember and understand what has been taught before moving them on to new learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY473428 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10288997 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 56 Number of children on roll 80 Name of registered person What a Hoot Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01670798060 Date of previous inspection 8 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

What a Hoot Day Nursery registered in 2014 and is located in Blyth. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 has received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and staff and has taken that into account in her evaluation. n The manager showed the inspector around the nursery. She talked about the early years curriculum and how the provision is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of education across the nursery rooms and outdoors, and assessed its impact on children's learning. n The manager and deputy manager met with the inspector to discuss leadership and management matters. The inspector looked at a range of relevant documents that were provided for inspection. n The inspector and manager observed and evaluated a group activity for two- year-old children. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents and took account of their

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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

1 June 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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