The Railway House

Inspection of The Railway House 1A Railway Street, Littleborough OL15 8AG

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Staff have created a learning environment for children that oozes awe and wonder. The atmosphere buzzes with children's excitement and eagerness to explore. Staff know children exceptionally well. They understand the small steps of knowledge that children should learn and in which order this should be. Consequently, children receive an ambitious curriculum that keeps them motivated to learn. Staff are good role models. They teach children about being kind and provide clear expectations for their behaviour. Children are polite and courteous. They are caring towards others and regularly embrace their friends with cuddles.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children's individual creativity well. They provide opportunities for children to express themselves through dancing, singing and painting. Children relish these experiences. Babies are encapsulated in their creativity while exploring paint with their hands and feet. Toddlers sing their favourite songs. Pre-school children move their bodies to music. Staff support children well for their eventual move on to school. They help children to develop their self-help skills. For example, children help to tidy toys away, they put their own coats on and help to set play equipment up to use at the local gym. Children enjoy having visits from their new teachers. They talk about their classrooms and what they are looking forward to about school. Children develop good skills in readiness for their next steps in learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager, ably supported by the deputy manager, leads the setting with an absolute conviction that all children will succeed. Together, they aspire for the setting to be a beacon of exceptional practice. They have worked exceptionally hard to bring about change since the last inspection. Self-evaluation is accurate and has a positive impact on outcomes for children. For example, leaders have improved the outdoor area to better promote children's balance and coordination skills. Children relish taking part in an assault course. They show excellent physical dexterity while trying to walk on different-textured surfaces. n The key-person system is highly effective. Staff use their knowledge of attachment theory to help children to settle quickly. They spend time getting to know children and their families during the settling-in period. Children develop secure bonds with staff. They demonstrate positive attitudes towards their

p.2

need to do better?

learning and behave well. n Leaders provide children with a curriculum that is built on research and what they already know about children. They plan activities that keep children interested and motivated to learn. For example, babies enjoy playing with musical instruments. Toddlers show fascination while searching for bugs outdoors. Pre-school children giggle with delight while pretending to be

p.2

need to do better?

21 June 2024 superheroes. Children make good progress and gaps in their learning close. n In the main, leaders teach children about different festivals and celebrations. They talk to children about being respectful and tolerant of others. However, leaders have not fully considered how they can broaden children's understanding of people and communities that are different to their own. This means that children do not gain a wider understanding of similarities and differences between themselves and others. n Leaders prioritise reading. They carefully choose books that are age-appropriate and that will ignite children's imaginations. Children snuggle up to staff while looking at books. They look at the illustrations and talk about their favourite characters. Children identify different letter sounds and words. They enjoy taking books home to share with their families. n Leaders have implemented new arrangements for staff's coaching and

p.2

need to do better?

mentoring. However, these arrangements are not fully embedded. This means that some staff do not receive consistent feedback about their interactions with children. This hinders some staff from raising their practice. n The support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is excellent. Leaders work closely with parents and other agencies to get the support that children with SEND need. Children with SEND flourish at this nurturing setting. n Staff support children's love of the outdoors effectively. Children help to grow vegetables in the allotment. They learn how to care for living things and how to be environmentally friendly. Children become enthralled while making 'magical potions' with sand and soil. They pretend to travel to a 'secret island' in a boat. Staff support children to understand the benefits of being outdoors, such as being physically active and getting fresh air.

p.3

need to do better?

n Leaders prioritise staff's well-being effectively. They ensure that staff workload is manageable and provide staff with incentives for their hard work. Staff morale is high. They reported that working at the setting is 'fantastic'.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n help staff to better support children's understanding of people and communities beyond their own experiences n embed further the arrangements for staff's coaching and mentoring, to help to raise their practice.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2636734 Local authority Rochdale Inspection number 10304177 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Railway House Childcare Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07769260251 Date of previous inspection 28 June 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Railway House registered in 2021 and is located in Rochdale. The setting employs eight members of staff. Of these, seven hold an early years qualification at level 2 and above. The setting is open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm, all year round, apart from bank holidays. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in his evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n Discussions were held with the leadership and management team. n The inspector observed adult-led activities and children during their play. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks. n The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with a representative from the local authority.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

21 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6