Heirs and Graces PDN

Inspection of Heirs and Graces PDN Heirs & Graces Nursery, The Old School House, Greenfield Road, Denton Green, St. Helens WA10 6SG

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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

Leaders and staff create a happy and positive environment for children. They form strong bonds with children, which in turn helps children to feel safe and promotes their emotional well-being. Children's behaviour is very good. Staff act as good role models and have high expectations for children. They teach children to identify and regulate their emotions. Children confidently talk about what makes them happy or sad. As a result, they are able to communicate their feelings to one another. Children show kindness and concern for one another as they play harmoniously together. This helps to build children's confidence, resilience and self-esteem.

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The provision is good

Staff plan tailored activities that meet children's individual needs. For example, children spend time exploring sensory items in a basket and play in small groups with staff to develop their social skills.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with opportunities to help broaden their learning. For example, they plan experiences for them to look at and learn about ponies and to care for the nursery rabbit. Children acquire a rich understanding of the world around them. They are keen to carry out tasks for themselves. For example, children pour their own drinking water and feed themselves with cutlery. They serve their own healthy meals and put on their own coats. Children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning.

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need to do better?

n The leaders of the nursery are experienced, knowledgeable and passionate. They lead a dedicated staff team, who together are relentless in their drive to ensure that all children have the best possible start. The curriculum is broad and balanced, and staff implement it well, when indoors. However, when outdoors, the curriculum is less effective. Some activities lack a clear focus, which means that children lose interest quickly. This reduces children's engagement levels and learning experiences, particularly those children who prefer to learn outdoors. n Staff instil a love of books and reading. Children find their favourite stories and staff encourage them to turn the pages and name the items that they point to. Children also enjoy a range of activities which help them to develop the physical movements needed for later writing. Older children freely draw and paint, displaying very advanced skills. Children's early literacy skills are developing very

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need to do better?

well. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is well embedded. The special educational needs and disability coordinator works closely with staff, parents and other professionals. She uses her knowledge and skills to swiftly implement targeted support for children. Children with SEND are consistently supported and make good progress.

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need to do better?

20 February 2024 n The curriculum at the nursery prioritises children's communication development. Children of all ages are immersed in songs, stories and rhymes. Staff provide activities for children to extend their vocabulary and ask them questions which promote their thinking skills. This helps increase children's confidence and prepares them well for their eventual move to school. n Overall, the day is planned well, and children are engaged. However, at times, such as mealtimes or during large-group play, some activities are not as well thought out. This results in some children becoming disengaged and noise levels rising. Staff do not consistently support children to get the most from these learning opportunities, particularly during mealtimes. n Leaders are truly dedicated to the nursery. They ensure that staff feel happy and supported in their roles. Staff undertake regular training to support their ongoing

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need to do better?

professional development. This ensures that they are able to give their very best to the children and their families. n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents receive information about children's development throughout the term. They have meetings with staff to contribute to children's assessments and know what their next steps in learning are. Staff provide parents with home learning suggestions to support children's learning at home. This provides continuity in children's care. n Children benefit from extra-curricular activities, such as yoga, French lessons and martial arts. Staff plan yoga sessions, where children practise different yoga poses and breathing techniques. Children talk to staff about how the yoga poses make them feel. These activities help children to build confidence in their physical skills, which supports their overall well-being.

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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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should:

n focus the curriculum for outdoors more sharply on what children need to learn next, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors n review the organisation of routines and activities so that children are consistently engaged to further support their next steps in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 323096 Local authority St Helens Inspection number 10312321 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 118 Number of children on roll 150

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Name of registered person

Mr Alan Dawe and Mrs Susan Dawe Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01744 451925 Date of previous inspection 26 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Heirs and Graces PDN registered in 2000 and is situated in Denton Green, St Helens. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm all year round. The nursery employs 35 childcare staff. Of these, 20 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, two at level 4 and three at level 5. One staff member has qualified teacher status. The nursery 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 inspector viewed the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Leaders joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager and senior leaders about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with leaders. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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 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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