Top Of The Tots

Inspection of Top Of The Tots 3 Grange Road West, Jarrow NE32 3JA

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

There is a breach of requirements that means the leadership and management of the provision requires improvement. However, the impact of this weakness on children is minimal.

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The provision requires improvement

Children show that they are content at the nursery. They are forming close bonds of attachment with the adults who care for them and separate from their parents with confidence. Children behave well, and staff encourage them to learn how to play sociably. This helps to create a calm atmosphere at the nursery.

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The provision requires improvement

Overall, children receive care and education that meets their needs. However, staff are not fully aware of how to offer a curriculum that helps all children to make good progress in their learning and development. Despite this, children enjoy attending the nursery and show their interest and excitement in the activities on offer. Children like to explore different materials, such as wrapping pretend Christmas presents and rolling and pinching play dough in their hands. They demonstrate growing self-confidence as they invite the inspector into their play and pretend to make cups of tea. Children have opportunities to make choices about where and how they play, and this helps them to stay motivated.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted and complete the process of providing the required information about directors who have responsibility for the setting. As a result, suitability checks are not in place for these individuals. Although this is a risk, it is minimal as these individuals do not have day-to-day contact with children. n The managers have identified a general overview of the curriculum and have some clear aims for children to achieve as they progress through the nursery. However, the curriculum for children is not comprehensive enough. It does not sufficiently reflect children's learning needs and support staff in their planning to challenge children to build on what they know, understand and can do. n Children's speech and language development is generally supported by staff. For example, children enjoy looking at books independently or listening to stories that are read by staff. Staff speak clearly and model two-way conversation. They

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need to do better?

introduce new words as children take part in water play. For example, children enjoy using scoops to fill their bottles with water. Staff model words such as 'scoop', 'pour', 'empty' and 'full' as children use these actions. This helps children to understand their meaning and develop their vocabulary. n Children follow some established hygiene routines. For instance, they wash their hands before mealtimes and after messy play activities. However, staff do not consistently encourage children to learn simple good hygiene practices, such as

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need to do better?

28 November 2024 wiping their noses, or teach them about the importance of this. This does not build strong foundations for children to learn to manage their own personal needs and develop self-care skills. n Staff support children to understand the boundaries and expectations in the nursery, and their behaviour is good. They listen to staff and are learning to be kind and friendly towards others. n Although children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise, staff do not consistently plan purposeful outdoor activities to extend learning as well as possible for those children who prefer to play outside. n The managers complete supervision regularly, and staff benefit from some training opportunities. However, these are not consistently focused enough on raising staff's overall performance and teaching skills. As a result, the quality of teaching is not yet good. The managers value and nurture staff well-being and

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need to do better?

provide support for staff when needed. n Parents speak highly of the friendly staff in the setting. They say how pleased they are with the nursery. They feel well supported and get information daily through an online system. Staff send regular pictures to parents of their children engaging in activities during the day. Parents know who their child's key person is and are comfortable discussing things with them. n The managers are aware there are areas of practice that need improvement and are positive about implementing changes to improve quality.

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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 interest first.

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Due date

ensure that Ofsted is provided with information to enable them to check the suitability of individuals who are part of the nursery's leadership 06/12/2024

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Due date

improve your knowledge and understanding of changes that must be notified to Ofsted 06/12/2024

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Due date

28 November 2024 improve staff awareness of the curriculum intent so that they fully understand how to implement a purposeful curriculum that promotes children's good development. 06/12/2024

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should:

n improve the monitoring of staff practice and provide all staff with effective support, supervision and training to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently good level n place a sharper focus on planning purposeful outdoor activities to better support those children who prefer to play and learn outside n develop a more consistent approach to teaching children about the importance of good hygiene practices and how to manage their own personal care needs to further enhance their self-care skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2772778 Local authority South Tyneside Inspection number 10375330 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 12 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Top of the tots ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07523915281 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Top of the Tots registered in 2024. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the managers and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the managers. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery managers. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

28 November 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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