Linskill Nursery

Inspection of Linskill Nursery Linskill & North Tyneside Community Development Trust, Linskill Centre, Linskill Terrace, NORTH SHIELDS, Tyne and Wear NE30 2AY

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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

Children thrive at this very friendly, professional and inclusive nursery. They are settled and happy as they make marks with paint and explore with water and sand. Children form close bonds with staff, who are fun, caring and kind. Staff know individual children well. They plan exciting activities and experiences for children that they know will challenge and interest them. For example, children learn about the importance of recycling. They grow vegetables and take part in yoga sessions.

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The provision is good

There is strong support for children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff encourage children to express how they feel. They provide gentle reminders about positive behaviour. Staff encourage children to use manners, play cooperatively together and be mindful of personal space. Children learn how to look after themselves. They learn how to brush their teeth and what foods are best for their health. Staff support children's growing independence well. Children serve themselves at lunchtime and pour their own drinks.

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The provision is good

Staff praise children and help to develop their confidence and self-esteem. They encourage children to make simple choices and decisions, such as which book they would like to hear at story time. Children become 'daily helpers' and help staff with everyday tasks, such as laying the table ready for snack.

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need to do better?

n The nursery's curriculum clearly supports children at different stages of their development. Staff plan creative activities, often using innovative resources. The management team is dedicated and passionate about outcomes for children and the service the nursery provides. n Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and exercise. They enjoy rich opportunities to learn about nature. For example, staff support children to plant sunflowers and strawberries in the nursery's large polytunnel. They encourage children to dig in soil, smell herbs and search for bugs in the nursery's enclosed garden. n Staff teach children about the importance of caring for living things. For example, they encourage children to help to look after the nursery's pet snails. Children observe cocoons over time, as caterpillars emerge and turn into butterflies. n There is a strong focus on children's physical development. Staff encourage

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need to do better?

children to play at floor and waist height. This helps children to develop their core strength. Children take part daily in music and movement sessions. Outside, children navigate uneven surfaces in the nursery's wild garden. They climb trees and balance in hammocks. n Children learn different ways of using their hands. They thread with pipe

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need to do better?

14 May 2024 cleaners and take part in cutting and sticking activities. Children explore with dough. Staff teach them how to hold cutlery safely as they chop vegetables and help to prepare wraps for their snack. n Overall, staff provide strong support for children's communication and language skills. They introduce new words into children's play. Staff repeat children's words back to them. This helps to show children that their words are valued and understood. n Children concentrate as they take part in craft activities. They are focused and engaged in their learning. However, staff do not always consider how best to support the flow of children's play. For example, children's play is sometimes interrupted when staff restrict how many children are allowed in the role-play area at one time. n There is a strong focus on early literacy throughout the nursery. All children come together for story time, however, this sometimes results in some children

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need to do better?

becoming distracted. Managers recognise that there are opportunities to review the structure of story times, to support children's listening and attention skills more effectively. n The nursery has very strong links with the local community. For example, children enjoy regular visits to a nearby assisted living complex. Staff welcome volunteers who help to read stories to children. They plan social events for parents and build good links with local schools. n Staff provide strong support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For instance, they have developed a sensory room to provide a calm space where children can relax. n Parents speak very highly of the setting. They praise the staff team, who they say are 'incredible, knowledgeable and supportive'. Staff share activity ideas with parents, so that they can continue their children's learning at home. n The experienced manager is very reflective and has a strong and positive

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need to do better?

attitude towards continuous improvement. She supports her staff team well. Staff benefit from a wide range of opportunities for training to update and extend their knowledge.

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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 consider how to enhance older children's play, such as by evaluating how role- play areas are used

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should:

14 May 2024 n review the structure of story times to support children's listening and attention skills more effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY450277 Local authority North Tyneside Inspection number 10347046 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 81 Number of children on roll 138 Name of registered person LNTCDT

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 2704243 Date of previous inspection 21 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Linskill Nursery registered in 2012 and is located in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. The nursery employs 33 members of childcare staff. Of these, 28 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or higher. This includes four staff qualified at level 6 and one member of staff who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager discussed with the inspector how staff organise and plan the curriculum and experiences for children. The inspector viewed the inside and outside space used by the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact on children's learning. The manager and the inspector evaluated an activity together. n The inspector discussed with the manager how she helps to keep children safe. This included evidence about first-aid training and the suitability of those working on the premises. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff. She took into account the views of parents.

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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

14 May 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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