Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Hetton

Inspection of Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Hetton Houghton Road, Hetton-le-hole, Houghton Le Spring DH5 9PG

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Staff help all children to excel and thrive in this nursery. They ensure children are exceptionally well prepared for starting school and provide a highly ambitious curriculum. Staff use consistent strategies across the whole nursery to promote children's speech, self-confidence and physical skills. They skilfully teach children new skills, wherever children choose to play, and they use open questions that encourage critical thinking. Children show excitement and enthusiasm to learn. They develop into strong, individual characters and show confidence in communicating their needs.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are excellent role models for children. They model good manners, sharing and kindness. Children's behaviour is very positive. They understand the importance of being safe and follow boundaries with ease. Staff create an environment where children can talk openly about how they feel. They discuss worries about starting school, and staff provide extra support to help them feel safe.

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The provision is outstanding

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager has worked closely with the staff to assess children's development carefully and adjust teaching accordingly. All staff have accessed Makaton training and use initiatives from the local authority to support children's communication and language development. Additional funding is used effectively to provide children and their families with a broad range of experiences. For instance, children and their families went on a trip to the farm with staff. This helped to build even stronger bonds with families and maintain excellent partnerships.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum for children is exceptional. Staff use consistent themes and routines in each room, which are adapted appropriately for children's stages of development. This helps children to be familiar with routines and well prepared as they move through the nursery. Staff focus on supporting children to build secure foundations for their future and ensure gaps in their learning close swiftly. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are exceptionally well supported. Staff swiftly identify any areas of potential delay and support parents in seeking advice from other professionals. n The manager and leadership team provide staff with tailored support and encourage them to progress in their careers. Staff are ambitious, passionate and dedicated in their role. They access bespoke training packages that are centred around supporting the children they work directly with. The organisation focuses

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need to do better?

on promoting staff's well-being, and staff have access to a wide range of support services. Staff say they feel extremely valued here. n A key strength in the nursery is the way staff help children develop their

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need to do better?

8 February 2024 understanding of the world. Pre-school children form part of an eco-warrior committee and take part in litter picking in the community. They wear their eco- badges with pride and take responsibility for turning off taps and lights. Children understand why this is important and talk about saving the planet. n Young children thoroughly enjoy exploring noodles with chopsticks and draw Chinese marks in their creative play. Staff focus on supporting children's small physical skills during these activities while building on their awareness of other cultures. Staff ensure children's diversity and differences are celebrated. Children develop a strong sense of self from an early age. Toddlers use the mirror to look at themselves and explore the pictures of facial features stuck on the wall. n Older children show exceptional levels of focus and concentration. They are engrossed in a range of activities and choose where they would prefer to learn.

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need to do better?

For instance, children choose to work creatively, and staff follow their lead as they begin to explore colour mixing. Staff model how to use scissors safely and praise children for persevering. n Staff in the baby room work extremely hard to help babies feel safe, settled and secure. Babies develop strong bonds with their key persons and benefit from their nurturing, gentle approach. Staff know how to meet their individual care needs and ensure their team know how they prefer to sleep and be held with their bottle. n The manager continually drives improvement forward with the team. She has high standards and high expectations for all. Feedback is gathered from parents using a forum and parent committee. In addition, staff and children also provide feedback on how they feel about the nursery and things they would like to develop. For instance, children are helping to enhance the outdoor area and have requested a boat for imaginary play, which the parent committee has now

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need to do better?

sourced. n Partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals are highly effective. The manager works alongside the local authority and other professionals to help provide support and advice for families. Parents and carers leave outstanding feedback for the nursery. They say they are fully involved in nursery life and it is evident that staff constantly strive to improve. Others say they have had a fantastic experience and that staff have children's best interests at heart.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2697105 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10326809 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 168 Name of registered person The Midcounties Co-Operative Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01915208613 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Hetton re-registered in 2022. It is situated in Houghton Le Spring, in Sunderland. The nursery employs 37 members of childcare staff. Of these, 30 hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3, including the manager. A further three members of staff have a relevant level 5 qualification, and one has early years teacher status. The nursery opens all year round, Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6.30pm, except for bank holidays. The nursery provides early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. Children with SEND attend.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed by the deputy manager and the inspector, indoors during a planned activity. n The inspector held a discussion with management team in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of recruitment, staff's qualifications and their suitability to work with children. n The inspector spoke to parents and obtained feedback for the inspection.

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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

8 February 2024 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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