Hardingstone Day Nursery

Inspection of Hardingstone Day Nursery 38-40 Hardingstone Lane, Hardingstone, Northampton NN4 6DE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive eager to start their day and explore what is on offer at this exciting nursery. They enjoy a wide range of well-planned activities in a stimulating and safe environment. Staff know children very well and take time to build strong relationships with their parents and carers. This helps children to settle and feel secure.

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The provision is good

Leaders plan an ambitious curriculum that enables children to be independent and motivated learners. Physical development is well promoted by staff across the nursery. For instance, staff encourage babies to use their whole body to make marks with water on paper. Toddlers are excited to see the effects of squirting warm water onto ice as staff model how to squeeze a pipette. Staff help older children to strengthen their hand muscles as they encourage them to cut play dough using a knife and fork.

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The provision is good

Outside, children explore the impressive play space. Staff are always on hand to promote children's curiosity. For example, when children find a ladybird, staff share interesting facts and provide a magnifying pot so that children can look more closely. Staff teach children the nursery rules and help them to learn to regulate their own behaviour and be kind towards others. Children develop a positive attitude to learning and build good social skills in readiness for school.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff create an environment that sparks children's interests. Staff are warm, friendly and respectful in their interactions with the children. They play alongside children to guide their learning and support their emotional needs. However, at times, staff do not make the most of these interactions to extend children's learning even further. n Staff in this inclusive nursery ensure that children of all abilities, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress. Staff carry out accurate assessments of children's development and identify individual needs. They work closely with parents and other professionals to develop targeted plans for children with SEND. n Children's literacy is well supported throughout the nursery. Staff provide vast opportunities for children to recognise print and practise mark making. Older children access writing materials throughout the nursery, both inside and out.

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need to do better?

Children use these in their play, showing interest and enjoyment in writing. They use clipboards, paper and pens to write their own name and the names of their friends. n Children develop a love of reading. Staff frequently read aloud to children and make links to the books that they have previously read. Staff use stories to

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need to do better?

22 March 2024 engage children in activities. For example, toddlers make models of book characters with dough and sticks. Children of all ages listen intently as staff read to them. Babies turn the pages as they explore books independently. Older children enjoy reflecting on the story after it has been read, reciting key phrases during their play. n Children behave well. They listen to staff and respond to their requests. Staff support children to take part in the running of the nursery. Children tidy up when asked and help to set the tables with cutlery as they prepare for hot, home- cooked lunches. Children serve lunch to their friends, who say thank you. Staff offer lots of praise and encouragement to children. n Staff promote healthy eating and oral hygiene well. They use daily routines to help children to understand when they need to wash their hands. Staff provide activities to support children to learn about oral health. For instance, children

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need to do better?

enjoy brushing toy teeth. They demonstrate their understanding as they talk about brushing the germs off. n Parents speak extremely highly of the management and staff and the provision for their children. Staff share information daily via an online app to keep parents informed of their child's experiences, progress and next steps in learning. This helps parents to continue children's learning at home. In addition, staff provide evening sessions to support parents with subjects such as toilet training, screen time and sleep routines. n The manager and co-manager have developed an effective team of staff which is committed to maintaining good-quality care and learning for all children. Staff comment that they are very happy with the support they receive from leaders. This includes opportunities for regular supervision, ongoing training and support for their mental 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 improve staff teaching skills so they can routinely offer high-quality interactions that enhance children's learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500046 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10316784 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 76 Number of children on roll 116 Name of registered person Hardingstone Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01604761731 Date of previous inspection 21 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Hardingstone Day Nursery registered in 2016 and is managed by a limited company. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff, of whom 22 hold early years qualifications at levels 2 to 6, including one member of staff who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Thursday from 7.30am to 6pm and Friday from 7.30am to 5.30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. 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 provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

22 March 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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