Hardmoor Early Years Centre (Daycare)

Inspection of Hardmoor Early Years Centre (Daycare) Hardmoor Early Years Centre, Leaside Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 3EP

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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 happy and settled in the provision. They have strong attachments with their key person, which helps them to feel safe and secure. Staff work hard to develop their bond with children from the first meeting, and this helps children to feel comfortable approaching staff for reassurance when needed.

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The provision is good

Children develop their independence skills through everyday routines, such as taking off their boots after outside play. Staff teach children how to feed themselves with a fork and spoon. They provide plenty of encouragement as children practise new skills. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and act as good role models. For example, they model to children how to take turns to help them to understand why they sometimes have to wait for a favourite toy. Children understand the routine and boundaries and know what is expected of them. For example, children remind each other to keep quiet, whispering, 'sshh', as they enter the sleep room, so as not to wake their friends.

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The provision is good

Staff teach children about the world around them. For example, children learn about produce as they grow fruits and vegetables in their allotment. Staff encourage children to develop their love of nature. For example, children are fascinated when robins land close by to them, and they enjoy saying hello to the on-site chickens every day.

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need to do better?

n Staff use assessment successfully to identify and close potential gaps in learning. They work with parents and signpost to relevant professionals, such as general practitioners and health visitors. This ensures that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive the support they need to make good progress from their starting points. n The head of centre has a clear understanding of the curriculum and the overall aims for children's learning. The curriculum builds on what children know and can do as they progress through the nursery. Leaders have begun to support staff in developing their understanding of the curriculum further. However, next steps for children's learning and development are not yet precisely focused enough to support children in making even more progress. n Staff have skilfully developed children's listening and attention skills. They are able to engage for an extended period of time on one activity. For example,

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need to do better?

children sit and join in with singing and rhyme time. They join in with the actions and start to use words and phrases they recognise, such as 'baa baa' and 'sheep'. Staff further extend children's communication skills by introducing them to new vocabulary and commenting on their play. For example, staff introduce the word 'rolling' as children roll blocks across a page.

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need to do better?

18 July 2023 n Staff understand the importance of developing children's physical skills to support their future learning. Children are given the opportunity to explore, climb and jump in the provision's wooded area. They beam in delight when they succeed at challenges, such as walking along the balance beams. Staff ensure there are further challenges for the most able children, such as higher and more challenging climbing equipment. n Parent partnerships are strong. They comment on how friendly staff are and the affection that staff have for the children. Parents refer to the provision as a community and comment on how supportive staff are. This includes providing support about home learning, to develop children's learning further. n Overall, staff implement good hygiene routines. For example, children learn to wash their hands before lunch. However, hygiene practices are sometimes inconsistent. For instance, children, at times, have runny noses, which are not

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need to do better?

wiped clean. This means children are not consistently supported as they begin to develop their understanding of good hygiene practices. n Staff comment on the positive working atmosphere that is now in place at the provision. Staff talk about how they are well supported by management. They meet regularly together to discuss any concerns or worries, as well as to monitor progress and set targets, helping to ensure a high-quality provision for all. Leaders comment that staff well-being is a priority.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff and leaders have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. They know the process to follow if they need to refer a concern about a child to the relevant local safeguarding partners. There are clear whistle-blowing procedures in place. Staff understand who to contact in the event of an allegation being made or when concerns are raised about the conduct of a member of staff. Staff help children to learn how to keep themselves safe out in the garden. For example, they teach children about which plants are prickly. This helps children to begin to risk assess their play.

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should:

n develop staff's skills further, to ensure children's planned next steps are sequenced and precisely focused on what children need to learn next n review hygiene practices so they are consistently followed, and ensure that hygiene standards are of the highest quality.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY319331 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10286057 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 33

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Name of registered person

Hardmoor Early Years Centre Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 02380 552 220 Date of previous inspection 31 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Hardmoor Early Years Centre is local authority run and includes a maintained nursery school and a full day care, which includes provision for children under two years registered on the early years register. The provision for children under two is open from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year. There are 10 members of staff working in the provision for children under two, of whom eight hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 or higher.

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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 head of centre explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during a learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with senior leaders and staff during the inspection. n The room leader and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector sampled relevant documents and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through discussions.

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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

18 July 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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