The Nest @NCEA Trust

Inspection of The Nest @NCEA Trust Northumberland Church Of England Academy, Academy Road, Ashington NE63 9FZ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The kind and gentle staff provide a nurturing environment, where children feel safe and secure. Settling- in procedures help children to make a smooth transition from home into the nursery. Children have very good bonds with key staff. They confidently approach them for support and 'check in' with them when they are feeling unsure. This supports their well-being. Staff are very attentive to their learning needs and interests and plan exciting, interesting activities for them. Staff join in with their play when appropriate, getting down to their level and ensuring everyone is included. Children are engaged in their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff plan many outings into the local community. They visit local parks and the beach. They visit the local shops, so that children learn about where they are. During walks, staff talk to children about what they can see. For example, children recall leaves falling from the trees and landing on them.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. Children receive age-appropriate guidance and support to help them begin to understand the behaviour expected. They learn to follow staff's directions, such as to help to tidy the toys away. There is a lovely calm atmosphere in the nursery.

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need to do better?

n An inspirational leadership team leads the nursery. They have a well-thoughtout curriculum. This helps staff to plan effectively for children. Key persons regularly assess children's development and identify next steps. Activities are planned that enable children to build on what they already know and can do. Activities are repeated, so that staff can test children's knowledge and understanding before moving on to the next step. This builds a firm foundation for children's learning. n Staff are passionate about instilling a love of reading in all children. They use a story of the week that children become deeply engaged in. A wide variety of props, such as pictures from the story or stuffed characters, encourages children to recall the story and to tell it in their own way. This helps children to develop their own literacy skills. n Staff talk to children as they play. They introduce words that help children to

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need to do better?

build a wide vocabulary. For example, children explore the different textures of pumpkins. Staff ask them what it feels like and use words, such as 'slimy', to help them express themselves. Staff use a lot of repetitive language in all that they do. This helps children to hear the correct way to say the words. n Staff use number in everyday activities. Numbers are displayed on the wall and staff guide children to count them in the correct order. In the garden, staff encourage children to count how many steps they take to climb over a frame. They introduce children to size language, such as describing how big the tree is

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need to do better?

3 October 2023 in the garden. n Partnership with parents is promoted strongly. Staff involve parents in their children's development. They share information about the progress they make or whether they need help in certain areas. When they assess children's progress termly, they share this and next steps with parents, so that they can continue children's learning at home. Parents are very complimentary about the nursery and staff. They make comments such as 'it is a home from home' for children. They like that it is a small group. n The leadership team know the setting well and can identify its strengths as well as any areas for development. Action plans are in place, such as further development of the garden, so that children can access the outdoors in all weathers. n Staff speak positively about how leaders support their well-being. Annual appraisals help leaders to assess how staff are doing. Staff are all set three

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need to do better?

objectives to meet before the next meeting. This is to help staff to focus on raising their knowledge and understanding. For example, they do a research topic each and then feed back to the wider group. Subjects such as looking at how engaged children are in activities, are they actually learning or just looking busy, help staff to focus on the quality of what they offer.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leadership team and staff fully understand their role in keeping children safe. Staff have a secure knowledge of the signs of child abuse and what to do to protect children. They know what to do if an allegation is made against a colleague. The nursery is safe and secure for children. Resources are of a high quality and meet the needs of the children and focus on their learning. They are easily accessible, so that children can make their own choices. Safer recruitment procedures are followed to help assess the suitability of staff working with children.

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should:

n implement plans to build further on the access that children have to outdoor play, so that they are able to access outdoors in all weathers.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2654062 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10308731 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of registered person

Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 07774004893 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Nest @NCEA Trust registered in 2021. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, all staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two staff with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Thursday, during term time. Sessions are from 7.45am until 4.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-year-old children.

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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 nominated person and the manager completed a learning walk of the nursery with the inspector. They discussed the curriculum for children. n The inspector observed staff interactions and the quality of activities, both indoors and outdoors. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to and viewed feedback from several parents and took account of their 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

3 October 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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