Happy Smiles

Inspection of Happy Smiles Unit 29, Werdohl Business park, Number One Industrial Estate, Consett DH8 6TJ

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the setting happily and are excited to attend. Parents say their children look forward to seeing their key person, and they have close relationships with staff. Children show they feel safe in the nursery and show confidence around new people. They are eager to take part in activities and develop new skills. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, staff focus on supporting children's personal, social and emotional development. They have accessed training to help them understand and support children's positive mental health and well-being. Children benefit from planned movement sessions, such as yoga. They show confidence as they stand up in the group to demonstrate a yoga pose for their peers to copy.

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The provision is good

Staff prepare resources and activities that they know children enjoy. They support children to build secure foundations for future learning and ensure they have fun. For example, babies explore the sensory baskets and enjoy rolling the balls back and forth with staff. Toddlers spend time outdoors and copy staff as they make different sounds along the music wall. Older children focus and develop good levels of concentration as they work independently in the craft area, recreating the Northern Lights. Children make good progress and develop the skills they need for the next stage in their learning, such as starting school.

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need to do better?

n Pre-school staff implement a curriculum that focuses on helping children make good progress across each area of learning. Staff plan purposeful activities and are clear about what they want children to learn. For instance, staff teach children about life cycles as they plant different seeds and link this to promoting children's good health. Children are keen to share their ideas and show knowledge and understanding of how things grow. n Although staff who work with toddlers know their own key children very well and are aware of their next steps, their teaching is not always focused on helping them to make progress. For instance, on occasion, toddlers are not engaged in activities and, at times, will wander around. Room leaders are currently implementing a system to support them to meet children's individual learning goals. n The manager and staff carefully consider how they can broaden children's experiences. Extra funding is used effectively to provide support with meals and

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need to do better?

there are regular fundraising events for families to take part in. This has recently helped to buy a wide range of books, and families can use the lending library to take them home and read with children. In addition, the manager and staff plan 'stay and play' days and special celebrations, which families attend with their children. n Children and families benefit from flexible session times and individual settling-in

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need to do better?

13 May 2024 plans. Staff offer plenty of support for children who are just starting nursery and ensure they gather a wide range of information from families. This helps staff get to know children before they start. Staff are aware of children's medical needs and allergies. Children are kept safe and are well cared for. n Staff who work with babies know how to meet their care needs effectively and ensure their individual routines from home are followed. This helps to provide continuity for children. Staff help babies to develop strong physical skills and they focus on introducing new words as they play. Babies thoroughly enjoy climbing up the stairs and going down the slide. Staff support babies to develop early independence, such as feeding themselves, which helps them to prepare to move to the next room. n Lunchtime is unsettling for younger children, and some children become upset while they wait for lunch. Staff do not engage children in any activities, such as

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need to do better?

singing, while they wait. However, staff try to comfort children with cuddles and sit at the table with them. In contrast, older children's routines flow well throughout the day. n Leaders and managers support staff to develop their skills to work with children. They regularly observe staff's teaching and provide constructive feedback. Staff attend training that is specific to their role in the nursery. For instance, staff who work with babies attend training to help them further develop their skills to promote babies' language. Apprentices are supported in the nursery and are given time out of the room to work towards their qualifications. n Leaders constantly make changes and improvements to the setting. For instance, they have worked exceptionally hard to develop the outdoor environment for children to learn and explore in nature. They demonstrate high levels of dedication to providing good standards of care and education for

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need to do better?

children. Staff regularly gather feedback from parents and families to help them understand what works well in the nursery and how they can develop.

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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 help staff to focus their teaching to ensure toddlers are engaged in purposeful learning more consistently n consider ways to implement a more positive lunchtime routine to ensure young children are happy and settled while they eat.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2752668 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10337582 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 115 Number of children on roll 105 Name of registered person Leadgate Child Centre Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01207 583583 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Happy Smiles registered in 2023. It is situated inside Werdohl Business Park in Consett. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am until 5pm, all year round. It is closed on bank holidays. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff, 12 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including the manager. The nursery provides funded early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities 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 their 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 Two joint observations were completed by the manager and the inspector, indoors, with children of different age groups. n The inspector held a discussion with manager 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. She discussed children's learning and development with the staff and the nursery manager. 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

13 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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