Hilltop Tots Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of Hilltop Tots Day Nursery Ltd St. Martins Day Nursery, King Street, Talke Pits, STOKE-ON-TRENT ST7 1QJ

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with consistent attention and support in an exceptionally well-staffed environment. For example, during a baking activity, children leave their stations to gather fresh vegetables from the outdoors. Staff accompany them, ensuring the experiences of others remain undisturbed. Leaders prioritise children's needs in every decision made, such as installing hand dryers to prepare them for everyday sounds. This helps children to manage their emotions positively when away from the setting. Staff provide age-appropriate resources that allow children to explore their environment safely. For example, babies joyfully dig in edible soil with spades, enhancing their sensory development. Staff plan engaging experiences, such as visits to farms, allotments and shops, to enrich the curriculum. Children actively help to feed and pet the nursery goats. They learn about responsibility and how to care for animals.

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The provision is good

Leaders make excellent use of additional funding to enhance the provision for disadvantaged children. For example, they have created a sensory room which offers children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) a safe space to settle before joining the wider room. This significantly enhances their emotional security. Staff communicate effectively and support one another, ensuring that everyone knows every child in their care well. This helps to foster strong relationships between staff and children. For instance, children with SEND express their happiness through nonverbal cues when they see familiar staff. When babies make a 'mmm' sound while eating, staff mirror the sound back, promoting early communication.

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need to do better?

n By the time children go to school, they are articulate, confident and independent learners, thanks to the steady support of dedicated staff. For example, staff give babies the chance to practise wiping their hands independently before offering help. As children grow, they have opportunities to serve themselves lunch and scrape their plates. When a child accidentally drops their spoon, staff encourage them to wash it themselves, prompting them to think critically about cleanliness and hygiene. This helps children to acquire essential life skills. n Staff make a strong effort to encourage children to make their own decisions. For example, they ask which tools and ingredients children would like to use for baking and go out of their way to ensure they have everything needed to bring their ideas to life. This boosts children's engagement in their learning. n Staff introduce new words to promote children's vocabulary growth. For

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need to do better?

example, they use words such as splash and dig to deepen babies' understanding of their actions. They excitedly praise children when they use words, encouraging older children to recall prior experiences. At times, minor

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need to do better?

1 April 2025 weaknesses in practice emerge, particularly in the way staff communicate with children. However, colleagues foster a highly supportive environment, and when children would benefit from further explanation, they often step in to fill the gaps. This ensures children thrive in an enriching learning environment. n Leaders and staff build strong, mutually supportive relationships with other professionals, including those at other settings that children attend. For example, they observe children in these settings and consistently exchange relevant information with key persons. This ensures a consistent approach to children's learning. Parents and carers acknowledge staff's effectiveness in working with external professionals, noting that 'staff are highly receptive to their suggestions'. n Leaders take proactive steps to offer personalised support for each child and family, such as providing a range of thoughtfully designed workshops and

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need to do better?

appointing a dedicated 'family support practitioner'. These initiatives offer parents valuable guidance and resources on various child-related topics. Parents say that staff listen to their concerns, saying, 'They go above and beyond.' n Leaders understand the vital role that well-being plays in the success of the setting. Therefore, they actively invest in professional development to boost staff's confidence and skills, such as offering regular training courses and guidance. As a result, staff feel valued and take pride in being part of the setting. n Ambitious plans are in place to create a truly sustainable setting. For example, enthusiastic leaders are introducing recycling initiatives to empower children to develop eco-friendly habits, such as properly disposing of food waste. Additionally, a structurally safe war bunker in the garden will be transformed into an exciting and imaginative learning space.

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need to do better?

n There are procedures in place to hire suitable staff and ensure that only vetted individuals have unsupervised contact with children. Staff fully understand these procedures and work effectively to ensure compliance.

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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 continue to enhance the quality of teaching by identifying and addressing some weaknesses in practice, creating an even stronger learning experience for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2715261 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10388359 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 33 Number of children on roll 78 Name of registered person Hilltop Tots Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07835995945 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Hilltop Tots Day Nursery Ltd registered in January 2023. It is situated in Talke Pits, Stoke-On-Trent. The nursery operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. There are 19 members of staff, 11 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery receives funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection 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

1 April 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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