Newcastle Kindergarten

Inspection of Newcastle Kindergarten Newcastle Children's Centre, Cemetery Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 6DH

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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

Settling-in procedures are tailored to meet children's needs. Staff share and gather key information about the children from their parents over time. This helps to ensure staff have a good understanding of their key children. The curriculum is varied. Staff plan a range of stimulating and enjoyable experiences for children to engage with. They think carefully about what they want children to learn as they access learning experiences. Consequently, children are flourishing in their development. Most of the time, children confidently and independently access the learning experiences on offer. Children of all ages enjoy sensory experiences, such as water, sand, rice and mud play. They use their hands, along with a range of other equipment, to explore the material.

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The provision is good

Staff are kind and gentle in their approach. They are swift to respond to children during the day, particularly if children become upset, tired or hungry. Consequently, children have developed positive bonds with the staff who care for them. Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour. They remind children of the rules and praise them for what they do well. Children have lots of opportunities to construct. Younger children are given a range of different sized blocks that they practise stacking on top of one another. As children get older, they start to carefully place a range of sized blocks and other construction equipment to build with purpose. Children, with the support of staff, think about what their structure needs to be complete, including doors and windows.

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need to do better?

n Leaders use a range of methods to monitor staff practice. They support staff to reflect on their practice. Staff and leaders work together to identify further support and training opportunities. This helps to develop staff's knowledge and skills even further. n Leaders have designed a curriculum which is ambitious. Staff use their knowledge of child development well to help plan a range of purposeful learning experiences for children. This helps to ensure children make continued progress in their development. n Most children show an eagerness to engage in the learning experiences on offer. Staff talk to children about what they have set out and what they will be learning about during this time. However, there are a few children who, occasionally, require more support from staff during free play to sustain high levels of engagement. n Leaders are keen for children to leave their setting able to communicate and

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need to do better?

express their needs. Staff complete assessments on children's speech to identify what further support or specialist support a child may require. Babies enjoy sensory books, which they touch and feel. Staff have also attended training

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need to do better?

24 March 2025 about how they can further develop children's speech and imagination through a 'magic story box'. Staff provide children with rich vocabulary as they re-enact stories using props. Older children are exposed to new words, such as 'citizens' and 'rescue'. n Staff carry out whole-group activities for older children. They are enthusiastic and use a range of props and equipment to get children interested to join in. This works well for most children. However, at times staff do not differentiate the learning experience to ensure all children's learning is maximised during this time. n Partnership with parents and/or carers is a strength of this setting. Staff keep them informed of their development and their child's day. They routinely share children's next steps with parents and/or carers. Staff also provide them with resources and equipment they can take home to complete with their child. This

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need to do better?

helps to ensure parents and/or carers are fully supported to continue their child's learning at home. n Leaders and staff work well in partnership with other professionals. They regularly observe and monitor children's development. This information is then used to identify what further support or specialist help a child may require. Leaders work alongside parents to make referrals, where needed. n Children of all ages thoroughly enjoy their time outside. They have access to a range of experiences that allow them to get physical in their play. Children have fun as they run, climb, walk, hop and balance outside. n Leaders take steps to follow the correct staffing ratio requirements. Staff deploy themselves well to supervise children as they play. Leaders ensure there are enough first aiders on site while children are present. Staff have secure knowledge of the steps to follow if a child suffers an accident. Leaders keep

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need to do better?

robust records of any accidents children may have.

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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 improve whole group activities to ensure all children's learning is maximised and tailored to better meet their needs n support less confident children during free play to sustain high levels of engagement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2765287 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10389687 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 72 Number of children on roll 78 Name of registered person The Kindergarten Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01782 614439 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Newcastle Kindergarten registered in 2023. The setting employs 14 members of staff, of whom 13 work with children. Out of these staff, one staff is qualified to level 7, four staff are qualified to level 6 and five staff are qualified to level 3. The setting is open all year round, closing for one week during the summer holidays and one week over Christmas. Operating hours are from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 7.30am and 5.30pm. The setting provides funded education for children of all ages.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the setting and discussed with leaders how they ensure it is safe, suitable and secure for children. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about their time at the setting. n The inspector spoke to parents and staff and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

24 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

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

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