Happy Hours Day Nursery @ Biddulph

Inspection of Happy Hours Day Nursery @ Biddulph Happy Hours Day Nursery, Lawton Street, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST8 6EX

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time at this inviting nursery. Welcoming staff greet children and parents as they enter. There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language, which is evident in the buzz of chatter around the nursery. Staff make good use of songs and stories to encourage children to practise speaking. Staff are animated storytellers and add interest with different voices and tones. This ignites the children's curiosity, and they engage and listen. Staff use guidance and assessment tools to identify any gaps in children's language. They use this information to plan activities and make referrals to other professionals. This helps children to get the early and ongoing support they might need.

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The provision is good

Children are physically active. Staff support young babies to practise their walking. There is lots of space for them to move freely and explore. Older children enjoy sports lessons and exercise. Staff regularly praise children and their hard work. As a result, children are growing in confidence and building their self-esteem. Staff know the children very well and they plan precisely for their learning. They provide children with a wide range of activities and resources that consistently motivate them to play and learn. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning from their various starting points.

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need to do better?

n The manager has clear intentions for children's learning. There is a rich and varied curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do. Staff gather valuable information from parents about children that helps them to understand their likes and interests. They use this knowledge to focus activities and lead the children's learning. As a result, children show a positive attitude to learning and are keen to know more. However, sometimes during questioning, staff do not extend and challenge children's learning even further. This means some children do not make the highest progress they are capable of. n Leaders are passionate about providing children with the best early years experience that supports their future learning. Funding is used effectively to help close any gaps in children's knowledge. Leaders consider how all children can participate in new activities, such as trips to the seaside. This supports all

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need to do better?

children to broaden their knowledge of the world around them. n The quality of teaching is good. Staff give children choices about what they would like to do next. Activities are interesting and stimulating. However, sometimes, when planning and setting up an activity, staff do not fully consider how they can improve children's engagement and make it accessible for everyone. For example, children squeeze around a small table to play with puppets and listen to a story. They begin to argue and push as they try to find

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need to do better?

9 May 2024 space. As a result, some children move away and lose interest. n Staff say that they feel well supported in their roles, and morale is good. They receive regular supervision and feedback from the manager. There is a focus on their well-being. Staff work well as a team. They deploy themselves effectively to keep children safe, including during mealtimes and when children are playing outside. Staff regularly complete head counts as children move around the nursery, which ensures they are accounted for. Older children enjoy joining in with the counting. Such practice ensures children learn and play in a happy, safe environment. n Staff get to know the children and their families very well. Leaders pride themselves on building long and trusting relationships from their very first meeting. Graduated and tailored settling-in sessions support children to feel secure in their new environment. Children approach staff for cuddles, and staff

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need to do better?

always respond with warmth and kindness. This helps to build a nurturing, home-from-home ethos in the nursery. n Mealtimes are sociable. Children from different age groups join together in a dining room to eat and chat. Children are learning independence as they pour their own water from a jug and begin to feed themselves. Staff praise their efforts and prompt the use of 'please' and 'thank you'. Staff set children clear boundaries and expectations for behaviour. Consequently, children are learning good table manners and are being well prepared for their next stage in education.

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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 build on staff's teaching practice so that they understand how to extend and challenge children's learning even further n enhance the planning and organisation of some activities so that all children can easily participate.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2529438 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10344950 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 72 Number of children on roll 134 Name of registered person Happy Hours Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01782 516564 Date of previous inspection 18 January 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Happy Hours Day Nursery @ Biddulph registered in 2019. The nursery operates Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. The nursery employs 20 members of staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to 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 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

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

9 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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