Skip to content

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)

Paint Pots Old School House Day Nursery

Inspected 24 Aug 2023 · published 18 Sept 2023 · URN EY333013

Help us get it right

Sign in (free) to send feedback, so we can tell you when it's fixed.

Original PDF ↗

Summary

What we read, and from where

Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.

  • Group verified

    The Old School House Day Nursery (Hartford) Ltd

  • Group reference verified

    RP526203

  • Inspection date verified

    24 Aug 2023

  • Inspectors verified

    Michelle Jacques

  • Behaviour and attitudes verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Personal development verified

    Good

  • Previous overall verified

    Good

  • Quality of education verified

    Good

  • Postcode verified

    CW8 1PF

  • Name on report verified

    Paint Pots Old School House Day Nursery

  • URN verified

    EY333013

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.

Grade profile

Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2018.

  • OverallGood
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Leadership and managementGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • Quality of educationGood

79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+86Very positivemore positive than 90% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praiseenjoyconfidenteffectivecaringhappythrivingflourishrespectful
Criticismconcernsnot precisely

How the report reads, start to finish

Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.

FindingsSafeguardingWhat needs to improveAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings667w+92
  • Safeguarding125w+41
  • What needs to improve41w+50

Strengths

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

Concerns

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

No strong criticism found.

Next steps

Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.

What the report dwells on

Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.

Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
6
Words of findings
801
about usual (typical 803)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 46, typical 54
Average sentence
13 words
Next steps
2
typical 2
Hedged sentences
3%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 50%Safeguarding 9%What needs to improve 3%About the inspection 38%

Full report text

Inspection of Paint Pots Old School House Day Nursery 73 School Lane, Hartford, NORTHWICH, Cheshire CW8 1PF

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children have fun and enjoy their time spent at this busy setting. They explore with immense curiosity and intrigue. Children show a wonderful can-do attitude and repeatedly try until they succeed. For instance, they complete difficult jigsaws, concentrating and working through puzzles until they eventually succeed. Children's good attitude towards their play creates a secure foundation for success in future learning. Staff are active participants in children's play and join in with enthusiasm and engagement. They make suggestions to develop children's games, introducing ideas to extend learning. For instance, children are encouraged to count how many toes dinosaurs have. They successfully count up to six, developing their numeracy and sequential counting skills. Staff are effective role models for children and teaching is consistently good.

p.2

The provision is good

Babies are cherished and nurtured by kind and caring staff. They receive plenty of reassuring cuddles to build their emotional resilience. Older children are provided with genuine praise and lots of verbal encouragement. Children respond well and are confident and self-assured. Children learn to be independent. They complete tasks for themselves in a responsible and confident manner. For instance, children tidy away after eating and look after their toys. They record their attendance each morning by completing a self-registration procedure. Older children look after pet insects by feeding and cleaning them. Children show a sense of pride in their achievements and are independent, helpful and confident. They learn the importance of self-care and personal hygiene. For instance, they brush their teeth daily and learn about oral hygiene and how to keep themselves healthy. Children are happy, settled and thriving emotionally and developmentally.

p.2

need to do better?

n This is an inclusive nursery where all children and families are welcomed. Each child's unique background, personality and needs are fully understood. Staff strive to ensure that all children have the opportunity to flourish in a welcoming and friendly environment. n Staff work well as a team. They are respectful of each other, sharing responsibilities and delegating workload. This helps to ensure that children's needs are quickly met by attentive staff. Furthermore, good teamwork creates a respectful atmosphere and children witness first-hand how to treat others. n The manager works tirelessly to offer families and children a high quality service. She regularly reviews and reflects upon the quality of practice and takes steps to improve. Coupled with support from the directors, the nursery benefits greatly from a motivated and dedicated senior leadership team. n The curriculum is carefully planned and designed. Each child, regardless of their

p.2

need to do better?

age and stage of development, receives age-appropriate learning opportunities.

p.2

need to do better?

24 August 2023 There are subtle adaptations to teaching and environments to ensure that children encounter sufficient challenge and stimulation as they progress through the nursery. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. n Children enjoy learning outdoors. There is a strong emphasis on learning through nature and the curriculum is enriched by plenty of trips in the local community. For instance, children enjoy visits to the airport, nature trails and meeting local residents at a nearby care home. Each trip is carefully planned with specific learning objectives to enhance children's learning experiences. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are very complementary about the flexible and attentive service they receive. They comment that their children are happy and credit this to the dedicated and caring staff team. n Staff routinely observe children and know what they can do and where they

p.2

need to do better?

require additional support. However, sometimes, staff do not focus their teaching precisely on what children need to learn next to help them make even more progress. n Children enjoy a broad and varied curriculum. They remain continually occupied and enjoy many imaginative and fun activities. However, occasionally, larger group activities do not sustain older children's concentration and engagement.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff fully understand their responsibilities relating to child protection and safeguarding. All staff have completed appropriate training to ensure that their knowledge of how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns remains up to date. The manager ensures that safe recruitment procedures are undertaken. New staff complete rigorous inductions and frequent checks of staff suitability are completed to ensure that all those working with children remain safe to do so. Staff complete safety checks in the nursery every day and take steps to minimise possible hazards. Risk assessment checklists act as a prompt for visual inspections. This simple system helps to ensure that safety checks are rigorous and thorough. Children play and learn in a safe and secure space.

p.3

should:

n develop staff skills and focus teaching on what children need to learn next to help them make rapid progress in their development n ensure the organisation of group activities supports all children to participate and benefit from the teaching provided.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY333013 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10301481 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 100 Number of children on roll 149

p.4

Name of registered person

The Old School House Day Nursery (Hartford) Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01606783050 Date of previous inspection 25 January 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Paint Pots Old School House Day Nursery registered in 2006. The provider employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The nursery manager and inspector conducted a learning walk and discussed how the curriculum is organised and designed. n The inspector observed activities and teaching, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact of this on children's learning and development. n The inspector held discussions with staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. Written comments from parents were also reviewed and considered. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

24 August 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6

Discuss this inspection

Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.

Join the discussion