Bolland Hall Day Nursery

Inspection of Bolland Hall Day Nursery Bolland Hall, Pottery Bank, MORPETH, Northumberland NE61 1DF

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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 form strong bonds with all members of staff at this welcoming nursery. They are treated with kindness and respect by the nurturing staff team. There is always time for a cuddle or words of encouragement if children feel unsettled during the day. A real strength of the nursery is how well all staff know every child. They gather a wealth of information from parents so that they can provide the right environment to help new starters to settle. This includes taking note of children's routines, such as sleep arrangements, so these can be replicated at nursery.

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The provision is good

There is a lovely atmosphere in the nursery, which is calm and purposeful. There are opportunities for all children to come together at points during the day. Children play together amiably, with older children showing care and consideration towards their younger friends. Separate spaces for different age groups also help ensure children's needs are met. Children benefit from consistent and effective support to help them to behave well. Staff show younger children how to take turns in simple activities. Older children are supported to try to resolve minor conflicts themselves. Plenty of praise and encouragement from staff helps build children's confidence and resilience.

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The provision is good

Children show deep levels of concentration as they engage in a wide range of stimulating learning opportunities. Babies eagerly explore an interesting basket of shiny objects. Staff support them to stack, roll and shake these. Older children learn about shapes and sizes as they make pancakes from play dough. They giggle with delight as they try to toss these. High quality interactions with staff support children to make good progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about providing children with every opportunity to grow and develop, emotionally and educationally. They are highly reflective, and access training regularly. Leaders have built a strong staff team. Staff report they feel valued. More experienced staff share their expertise willingly with their colleagues. At the same time, new members of staff are able to introduce new ideas to enhance the nursery even more. n The curriculum is designed to provide children with the knowledge and skills they need to prepare them for their next stage in learning. Staff skilfully incorporate children's interests into learning opportunities For example, as several children have new baby siblings, their role play in the home corner focuses on looking after dolls. Staff spontaneously suggest children write a list of things babies need. This provides children with a valuable opportunity to practise

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need to do better?

their mark making skills. n There is a strong focus on promoting children's communication and language

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need to do better?

4 March 2025 skills. Babies are given plenty of time to vocalise. Staff regularly share books with them. Children are introduced to many new words to enrich their vocabulary, such as trumpet when painting pictures of daffodils. They also learn about differences between male and female lions during a game. n Staff are skilled at carrying out assessments of children's learning and development. They use this information to plan activities to support children to make progress. They are vigilant in identifying children who may need additional help. If this is the case, they work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure appropriate arrangements are initiated. n Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. This promotes their good health. They eagerly run around looking for signs of spring and dig for worms in the mud. A focus on caring for the environment has helped children to recognise

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need to do better?

the part they can play in reducing waste. They give food waste to the nursery's chickens or put it in the compost bin or wormery. They also find out about which materials can be recycled. n Children become familiar with daily routines. They know where to put their coats on arrival. They recognise when it is time to tidy up. Older children continue their learning effectively at lunchtime. They set the table, pour drinks and sit together, taking part in conversations. Arrangements for the younger children are not as effective. While staff supervise children's eating vigilantly, some children spend too long in their highchairs. They do not have enough opportunity to engage in purposeful learning during this part of the day. n Parental feedback is gathered frequently. Parents report that they feel fully involved in their children's learning and development. They value highly the support they receive around issues such as toileting, healthy eating and

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need to do better?

promoting positive behaviour at home. n The provider notified Ofsted of a significant event in June 2024. In doing so they met the statutory requirements. Following this incident, prompt action was taken, including a review of the way space within the nursery is used. Changes have been implemented to ensure children are effectively supervised at all times.

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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 review and develop mealtime arrangements for younger children in order to provide more opportunities for purposeful learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301758 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10390702 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 30 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Bolland Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01670 511977 Date of previous inspection 12 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Bolland Hall Day Nursery registered in 1992. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the manager, who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 5.30pm. 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

4 March 2025 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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