Croft Day Nursery

Inspection of Croft Day Nursery The Croft Nursery School, The Croft, 102 Lancaster Road, NEWCASTLE, Staffordshire ST5 1DS

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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

Children are at the heart of this outstanding nursery. They are incredibly happy and confident. Staff are extremely kind and exceedingly passionate about the children in their care. New children settle extremely quickly and form close bonds with staff. Children are safe, emotionally secure and able to learn from all the many rich experiences on offer. For example, children use their whole bodies to move to music, using a range of materials to swirl and twirl. Children energetically use a range of musical instruments to create sounds. They experience an abundance of opportunities to hear and engage in conversations, develop their love of reading, sing songs and take part in musical activities. The sound of laughter resonates throughout the nursery.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are excellent role models for children. They consistently show children how to be respectful of others and model excellent ways of communicating with each other. Children are confident, articulate communicators who are very well prepared for the next stage in their learning. Staff carefully consider what they want babies and young children to learn, and this is reflected in how they communicate with them. As a result, babies and young children are surrounded by an abundance of quality interactions provided by staff to support their all-round development.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They show incredibly high levels of patience, tolerance and respect for others. Staff recognise that emotional security provides the foundations for future learning. For example, staff support children who are new to the setting extremely well, and their emotional development is a key priority.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have created an ambitious and rich curriculum which embeds children's starting points and their interests together. Children are challenged by the inspiring learning experiences that staff provide which progressively broaden children's knowledge exceptionally well. The children's voice is at the centre of the curriculum. Staff actively listen to the children as they talk and respond to their wishes. n All children are making excellent progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) demonstrates extensive knowledge of supporting children with SEND. The SENCo is extremely enthusiastic and works in partnership with parents and specialist outside agencies to seek the additional specialist support children may need. n Staff listen carefully to what children say. They observe children and accurately assess what they can do. They are skilful and timely in their interventions and

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need to do better?

27 September 2023 know when to step in and support children's learning and when to observe from a distance. Staff give children time and space to problem-solve and think critically in order for them to develop independence in their learning and personal self-help skills. n Children thoroughly enjoy practising and developing a wide range of physical skills, including balancing, dancing and jumping, indoors and outside. They relish the opportunities to participate in planting seeds and grow flowers and vegetables in the nursery garden. Parents and children eagerly engage in caring for the sunflower seeds the children have planted and recording their growth at home. n Opportunities for mark making are abundant and visible throughout both the indoor and outdoor areas. Staff understand that children's large arm movements help them to develop their muscles and control to support early writing skills. Older children delight in showing staff and visitors their pictures and writing they

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need to do better?

have created, which are proudly displayed around the rooms or in their special books. n Children who speak English as an additional language develop their understanding of the English language quickly. Staff use key vocabulary from children's home language to enhance their acquisition of English. Staff and children embrace the celebrations of various cultures and religious events, embedding a deep and meaningful respect for the diversity of all people. n Partnership with parents is exceptional. Parents talk repeatedly about the excellent quality of communication they receive, linked to their child's progress, along with the ideas given to extend learning at home. Time is taken during the settling-in process to listen to parents about what their children can already do and any specific care that needs to be met. n Managers are wholly committed to professional development and training for all staff. Staff who work with babies have specific training to help provide the

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need to do better?

youngest children with the best possible care. All staff are clearly happy in their roles, form a strong bond with each other and are a close-knit team.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is a strong culture of safeguarding throughout the nursery which seeks to eliminate all risks of harm against the children. Staff have gained extensive knowledge of safeguarding matters to ensure children's safety is of the highest standard. Managers review staff's safeguarding knowledge through regular questioning. Staff are extremely confident in reporting any safeguarding concerns, as well as their responsibility in relation to whistle-blowing should they have any concerns about adults who work with children. There are robust procedures to ensure the suitability of staff to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 218503 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10295288 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 58 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Croft Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01782 614247 Date of previous inspection 8 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Croft Day Nursery registered in 1990. It operates from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. The nursery opens five days a week from 7am to 6pm all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It employs 13 members of staff. Of these, two hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one holds a level 5 qualification and 10 hold qualifications at level 3.

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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 provider. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk and discussed the early years curriculum and the activities on offer for the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager and discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including evidence of the suitability of staff, qualifications and first-aid certificates.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of all views.

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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

27 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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