Universal Kids Childcare

Inspection of Universal Kids Childcare Families Matters, Cowgate & Blakelaw Childrens Centre, Lindfield Avenue, Blakelaw, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE5 3PL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Parents comment that their children run into this outstanding nursery very enthusiastically, excited to start their day. Children can choose to play and learn outdoors in all weathers. They are deeply involved in their learning, displaying constant enjoyment and motivation when they play. Older children persevere and work things out for themselves. They have wonderful ideas and demonstrate excellent vocabularies. For example, when playing in a large sit-in sandpit outside, children decide to make a 'river'. They work together to empty and carry a large bucket inside and fill it with water from the tap. Children construct ramps from guttering and proudly exclaim that they have made a 'waterfall'. They extend their play by using planks of wood to make a 'bridge' to balance and walk across.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff want all children to achieve their full potential and have the best start in life. Children sit in cosy areas in the garden, retelling their favourite stories from books. Older children confidently comment on who the author and illustrator are. Children are constantly encouraged to sing and join in with rhymes. Younger children delight in choosing their favourite song from props in a bag. All children become very confident communicators. Children have many opportunities to practise the skills needed for early writing. They make marks with mud and sticks, use their hands to mix paint in large trays and paint with water on the wall outdoors. Younger children are engrossed when jumping barefoot in puddles outdoors, noticing the marks that their footprints have left. Children have vast experiences to learn about the world around them. For instance, they have hands-on experiences to learn about the importance of bees and pollination.

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need to do better?

n Staff have a detailed knowledge of how children learn and develop. They plan a curriculum that helps every child to make the best possible progress. Staff skilfully adapt activities to take account of what individual children need to learn next. n The nursery provides excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff put detailed support plans in place for children with SEND. They use additional funding to provide additional support for children who may need it. Staff use signs and visuals and adapt their language to help children with SEND to communicate. n Children's behaviour is exceptional. Children happily take turns without prompting. Staff help children to think about how to work together to solve problems. For instance, older children work out themselves that it is 'kind' and 'fair' to share four cups equally in the home corner. n Staff are mindful of children's experiences and backgrounds, and use additional

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need to do better?

funding to provide activities to widen children's life experiences. For example,

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 staff recognise that some children live in flats and do not have gardens. Therefore, they provide children with a wealth of opportunities to be outdoors. n Children show a keen interest in growing fruit and vegetables in the nursery's garden. They proudly take their produce to the kitchen to be cooked for their meals. Staff provide advice to parents about the importance of nutritious meals for their children. For example, they share recipes for vegetable soup. n Parents are overwhelming positive about their children's experiences in the nursery. They receive advice about how to support their child's development at home and are signposted to resources to help them further. Parents particularly appreciate the regular stay-and-play sessions, where they come into nursery and take part in activities with staff and their children. n Managers continually observe staff's practice to extend their knowledge and the

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need to do better?

quality of education even further. They plan training that has a positive impact on children. For instance, staff have attended Makaton training to support children with SEND. Most staff have worked at the nursery for many years and comment that they receive excellent levels of support from managers. n Children have opportunities to constantly explore and investigate. Staff encourage children to have their own ideas and make predictions. For instance, children work out how to free toy dinosaurs from ice, examine minibeasts with magnifying glasses, and experiment to see if objects will 'float' or 'sink'. This helps children to be confident learners, whose views are very much valued. n Staff form very effective partnerships with other professionals. For instance, they complete the required progress check for children aged between two and three years onsite with health visitors. Staff accompany children with SEND on their

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need to do better?

visits to school, to support successful transitions for children. n At mealtimes, staff and children eat together and have lovely conversations about their morning. Children benefit from a range of very healthy and home- cooked food. They develop their independence skills at every opportunity. For instance, they wash their hands spontaneously before eating and carefully pour their own drinks at lunchtimes. n Staff offer children many activities to help them learn about festivals that are important to the other children in nursery. For instance, staff have attended training to help children to understand about their friends who celebrate Ramadan.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff put children's safety at the centre of everything they do. All staff have attended a variety of safeguarding training. Managers makes sure that staff recognise how to identify children who may be at risk of harm. Staff understand the action to take if they have a concern about a child in their care. They have a password system in place for other family members who collect children and also ask for a photo to verify their identity. Staff constantly check that the premises are safe and secure.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY398892 Local authority Newcastle upon Tyne Inspection number 10288832 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 22 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Bunhill Services Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 214 2460 Date of previous inspection 2 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Universal Kids Childcare registered in 2009 and is located in Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne. It employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens during term time, from 8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday. It 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 staff and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the nursery. n The deputy manager discussed with the inspector how staff organise and plan the curriculum, environment and experiences for children during a learning walk. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager, deputy manager and the inspector evaluated children's learning together during a planned activity. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n Parents shared their views, verbally and in writing, with the inspector during the

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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

15 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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