The Playhouse Day Nursery

Inspection of The Playhouse Day Nursery 695-697 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8AQ

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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 manager has created a homely and calm nursery that helps children to feel settled and welcomed. Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), show that they are safe and happy. Staff make sure they are nearby and available for children should they need any reassurance. This helps children to build their confidence to explore the learning activities that staff thoughtfully provide.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children's learning. For example, they encourage children to follow a recipe to create current buns with play dough for their mathematics song. Children begin to understand what is expected of them and they are eager to learn more. They learn the curriculum well.

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The provision is good

Staff help children to be ready for their learning. For instance, they ably help children to understand when one part of the nursery routine is about to change. They gently remind children that it is time to tidy up and to have their 'listening ears' ready. Staff make sure that children learn the nursery's rules for how to behave. For example, they explain carefully to children why they should walk when indoors. This helps all children to behave sensibly.

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need to do better?

n The manager, who is also the owner, has developed an ambitious curriculum for children, including those with SEND. She is clear about what she wants children to learn while they are at the nursery. Due to the well thought out curriculum, children become number lovers, chatty communicators and physically adept. n The manager makes sure that staff understand how to deliver the curriculum. Staff ably help children to remember and build on what they already know. For example, when children play with mud outdoors and mimic the making of play dough, staff remind them of their previous learning. Children delight in being able to remember important knowledge and processes. n Staff use every opportunity that they can to include mathematics in children's learning activities. For example, staff count aloud when children climb and model thinking when deciding where objects fit at tidy up time. Children gain important

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need to do better?

new knowledge. They learn that mathematics is fun. n Staff support children's language development well. They add interesting and meaningful new words such as 'bauble', 'mix' and 'stir' into their play. Staff help children to learn rhymes and songs. Children develop a good grasp of using and understanding new words in their growing vocabulary. n Staff read carefully selected, high-quality stories to children often. They use short pauses and questioning thoughtfully at shared story times to help children to think. Staff entice children to talk about fiction and non-fiction books. Children

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need to do better?

5 December 2023 learn important knowledge about books and stories. n The manager provides healthy snacks for children. She ensures that they learn key knowledge about keeping their teeth healthy, such as when they take part in the nursery's daily toothbrushing programme. Nevertheless, although the manager shares the curriculum with parents, current systems are not always effective in helping to guide them. Therefore, children do not always benefit from continuity in their learning experiences regarding making healthy food choices. n Generally, staff encourage children to be independent. For instance, staff provide ample opportunities for children to serve themselves at snack time when ably pouring their own milk from large milk containers. However, at times, some staff overhelp children, such as when climbing and balancing on outdoor equipment. Children do not always learn the importance of resilience.

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need to do better?

n Parents are positive about their child's experience at the nursery. They say that the nursery provides them with helpful advice. For example, staff help parents to support children's learning to talk, use the toilet and to share books. Parents feel well supported by the staff. n The manager supports staff in their roles effectively. For example, she observes staff's work and coaches them on how to improve. Staff feel supported, understand their roles and love working at the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager is thorough and careful in her work to safeguard children. She makes sure that staff attend relevant training. She checks their understanding of the nursery's safeguarding policy. Staff demonstrate excellent knowledge, for example of how to spot the possible signs that a child is at risk of harm. They are very clear of the procedures to follow should they become concerned about a child's safety. Staff are trained to ensure that children sleep safely at the nursery. The manager is vigilant about following up on children's absences from nursery. She ensures that she makes immediate referrals to other agencies to prevent harm to children.

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should:

n continue to embed systems for sharing the curriculum with parents to help guide them and provide continuity in children's learning experiences with regards to healthy food choices n strengthen staff's understanding about the curriculum for personal development so that children become capable and resilient learners.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2718503 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 10320487 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 29 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Dalton, Cheryl

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reference number

Telephone number 07508246077 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Playhouse Day Nursery registered in 2023 and is situated in Wigan. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications, one at level 6. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm all year round, except for Christmas and bank holidays. 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 setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager 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 their curriculum and what they want children to learn. 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 carried out a joint observation of a shared reading activity with the manager. n The inspector held discussions the manager and staff during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection 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

5 December 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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