The Norton Nursery

Inspection of The Norton Nursery Norton Nursery Kids Zone, Berkshire Road, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, Cleveland TS20 2RD

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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 thrive and enjoy their time at this friendly nursery. Staff offer parents and children a warm welcome as they arrive. Children separate from their parents and show that they feel safe and secure. Staff offer additional support to children who are unsure, enabling them to bring toys from home for reassurance. Children go off to explore the range of stimulating activities that staff have specifically chosen to help them to follow their interests.

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The provision is good

Children learn about the wider community. For example, they meet a dental hygienist and have visits to the library and beach. Children learn about different cultures, focusing on festivals that occur in the local community. This prepares them for life in modern Britain. Staff use observations to identify relevant next steps in children's learning and know what they want children to learn. Children show excellent attitudes to their learning. They benefit from targeted activities and experiences that meet their needs, including those children in receipt of funding.

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The provision is good

Children develop their communication and language ability. They have opportunities to practise their speaking skills. They sing familiar songs, such as number songs. Staff skilfully support children. For example, they repeat words slowly to show the correct pronunciation for younger children. Staff ask older children questions that require longer responses.

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need to do better?

n Staff use the nursery's outdoor areas to provide children with a wealth of opportunities to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy riding bicycles around the garden, developing their balance skills. They explore a wide range of mark-making resources, making large and small creations. Staff use different climbing equipment to encourage children to develop their climbing skills. They support children to manage risks independently. n Staff and the manager have created a curriculum to meet the needs of all the children who attend. This is in line with the nursery's ethos that places children at the heart of everything they do. Staff build on the skills that children already have and allow them time to practise. All children within the nursery make good progress, regardless of their age and stage of development. n Children behave very well. Staff use visual aids, such as timers, to encourage children to share. Children learn and follow the boundaries of the nursery and

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need to do better?

remind each other not to run inside. Children are encouraged to talk about conflict situations and how they feel. This helps children to understand the impact that their actions have on others. n Overall, the quality of education is good. Children have access to a rich variety of interesting resources and activities, which inspire them to be curious.

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need to do better?

20 September 2023 However, at times, staff do not always provide additional resources for children to explore fully during activities. This means that children do not always have opportunities to investigate further. n The manager is reflective and proactive in her practice. She is able to identify the strengths and areas for development to improve outcomes for children. Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions. Staff state that they are happy and report being well supported by the manager. n Comments from parents are very positive. They say that staff take time to listen to and support them. Parents report that their children 'come on in leaps and bounds and staff are amazing'. Staff work in partnership with parents to support children's development and learning at home. n Staff provide opportunities for children to learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, children learn about good oral hygiene, and discuss healthy and

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need to do better?

unhealthy foods during snack routines. Children are able to pick pears from the fruit trees for snack. Staff encourage children to wash and dry their hands before meals and to use tongs when selecting foods. n Staff work in partnership with the schools that children will move on to. They provide schools with transition documents to share what children know and can do. Staff encourage teachers to visit the provision, to gain a holistic view of children and provide continuity for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff recognise the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Leaders and managers have clear processes in place for recording and reporting concerns. Staff are confident in following the processes, including where there are concerns raised relating to other members of staff. Leaders and managers know their responsibility for safeguarding children and acting on any concerns. They ensure that recruitment processes include checking that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff routinely assess risks in the environment and in the activities they offer to ensure that children are safe. They record and report any accidents to parents.

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should:

n develop opportunities and resources for children to explore and investigate further during activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY173165 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10289011 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 30 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Crowe-Harland, Judith

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reference number

Telephone number 01642 554646 Date of previous inspection 9 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Norton Nursery registered in 2003 and is located in Stockton-on-Tees. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector took account of parents' views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

20 September 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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