Footprints Day Nursery

Inspection of Footprints Day Nursery 12-18 Howard Street, North Shields, Tyne And Wear NE30 1NA

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is potentially compromised. Accidents are not always accurately recorded and reviewed. Consequently, potential risks in the play environment are not always identified and removed. Staff do not ensure all children sit down when they are eating. This increases the risk of possible choking.

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The provision is inadequate

Babies play happily and show that they feel secure in the care of the attentive staff. The setting carefully plans appropriate and effective activities that help younger children develop new skills and learn more. For example, babies squeeze and roll dough, which helps develop their hand strength. They enjoy songs and rhymes that help them to learn new words. Older children enjoy activities, such as washing dolls and balancing along beams to support their learning. However, staff are not consistently clear regarding the aims and expectations for older children's learning. Children are not always well enough supported to join in group activities.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, children enjoy their time at the nursery. They separate from their parents happily and join games and activities with their friends. Staff give children reminders for positive behaviours, such as using 'kind hands'. They understand that some children may need more support to regulate their emotions and behaviour.

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need to do better?

n Children are offered healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. However, staff do not consistently ensure children's safety during snack time, as they allow some children to move around while eating. Careful consideration is not always given to the safe preparation of all foods served to children. Children's food is not always carefully cut to minimise the risk of children choking. n Minor accidents and incidents, which happen to children throughout the day, are not always recorded and reviewed to identify and minimise potential risks to children. For example, staff do not consistently record and assess the possible risk of wet floors, wet grass or water activities containing washing-up liquid. n Staff plan activities around the children's interests. Babies enjoy stacking toys and exploring cause-and-effect resources. Older children explore foam, paint, and small-world activities. However, staff do not consistently challenge older

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need to do better?

children's learning. The activities provided for this age group do not always help children to build on what they already know and can do. Staff are not always clear on what they want older children to learn from the activities they set out. n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. Babies benefit from staff using simple and clear language. Children of all ages enjoy staff interactions, which help them to develop their vocabulary and learn the meaning of new words.

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need to do better?

18 June 2024 n Arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are effective. Staff work in partnership with other professionals to share information on the best way to support children while in nursery. Additional funding is used well, for example, to provide extra staff to meet children's specific, individual needs. Staff make adjustments to help children to feel at ease. n Overall, older children concentrate well and enjoy singing and group activities. Staff sit with children and encourage their participation. However, children who recently transitioned to the group room are not as well supported by staff to settle and join in. n Leaders and managers provide supervision and support for staff. Measures, such as rewards and incentives, help staff to feel valued. Morale is high, and they are happy in their role. Leaders welcome support and advice from other professionals. This contributes to their capacity to improve.

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need to do better?

n Staff encourage children to develop self-esteem and a sense of belonging. For example, children's achievements, milestones and special moments are shared on the 'proud cloud' board. Children enjoy talking about their own families and others when they look at photographs on display. n Parents talk about the 'family feel' that the nursery has and appreciate frequent communication from staff through an electronic application. They describe how their children have grown in confidence, particularly after having limited social experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure the safe preparation and presentation of food served to children 30/06/2024

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Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure children's safety, with regard to always sitting children down while eating and reviewing accidents to identify and minimise risks 30/06/2024

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Due date

18 June 2024 ensure a record of all accidents and incidents is maintained. 30/06/2024

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should:

n strengthen the planning and implementation of activities for older children to ensure they are consistently challenged and supported by staff n develop the planning of group activities and the support offered to children to help them join in and participate.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY537170 Local authority North Tyneside Inspection number 10351549 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Footprints Day Nursery North East Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 4474550 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Footprints Day Nursery registered in 2016 and is located in North Shields. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff, of whom six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Thursday and from 7.30am until 5.30pm on Fridays. 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 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 nursery manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum and the organisation of the nursery. n The inspector observed staff's teaching in all rooms and outdoor areas, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity for pre- school children. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

18 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.

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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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