MadHatters Pre School Nursery

Inspection of MadHatters Pre School Nursery 55a Nelson Street, SCARBOROUGH, North Yorkshire YO12 7SZ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are enthusiastic, curious and confident learners. They receive tailored settling-in sessions to ensure they feel settled and secure in the nursery. Children arrive happily at nursery and are eager to join in. They form firm friendships with their peers and strong bonds with staff. Staff are respectful and polite to children and one another. This promotes children's emotional well-being and helps them to feel safe. The nursery's routines are well embedded and help children to know what to expect.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan an ambitious curriculum. They organise the environment well to enable children to make independent choices in their play. Overall, children are motivated to engage in their learning. This contributes to the good progress that they make. For example, children eagerly flick paint onto paper and staff teach them about colours and textures. They benefit from meaningful praise from staff. Children listen and respond well to staff's instructions. Their behaviour is very good.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy playing in the outdoor area. Staff plan opportunities for children to learn about the world around them. Children enjoy planting flowers and digging. They develop the small muscles in their hands as they use them to scoop the soil into pots. Children enjoy practising their balancing and jumping skills on apparatus. These opportunities help to develop children's physical skills. Staff support children's literacy skills well. For instance, they avidly tell stories and share children's favourite books with them.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff provide stimulating activities that embrace children's current interests. For example, young children enjoy catching bubbles and singing rhymes. Older children relish painting, exploring water and being creative. Staff use any additional funding the nursery receives for individual children effectively to bridge any gaps in their learning. n Mathematical language is embedded through a range of activities. For example, staff support children to count blocks as they build towers and search for toy bugs outdoors. Staff teach children about 'more' and 'less' as they plant flowers into pots. Children match the number of items they count to the numerals displayed. They learn about shapes during a drawing activity. n Overall, children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning and enjoy taking part in group activities. However, staff do not consider how they need to further adapt their teaching to support children's different stages of

p.2

need to do better?

development. At times, group activities are pitched too high for some children. This does not help them to stay engaged and get the best from the learning experience.

p.2

need to do better?

24 April 2025 n Children develop good levels of independence. Older children serve themselves snack and learn to use a knife and fork at lunchtime. They use the bathroom independently and children make choices about their play. Staff support children to learn about healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy healthy, nutritious and home- cooked meals and snacks. Staff encourage children to brush their teeth daily to help them to learn about good oral hygiene. n A key-person system is in place, where staff form close attachments with their key children. They have a good understanding of what children need to learn next and implement this through adult-led activities. However, key persons do not always make other staff aware of children's next steps in learning. Consequently, when key persons are absent, other staff are not fully aware of children's individual learning needs. n Partnerships with parents and carers are very well established. Parents praise

p.2

need to do better?

staff for their genuine warmth and dedication. They say that staff genuinely care and that they would recommend the setting to others. Staff share regular information with parents about their children's learning and development in the nursery. n Staff explain that they are happy and feel supported in their roles. They have regular room and team meetings where they reflect on their practice. Managers hold one-on-one meetings with staff to discuss their well-being and areas for development. Staff have opportunities to access training, such as around safer sleeping and specific baby room training. n There is a clear focus on language and communication. Staff consistently introduce new words. For example, they clearly repeat words during play, such as 'bubbles'. When staff ask questions, they pause and give children time to think and answer. However, there are fewer strategies to support children who speak English as an additional language to further support their communication.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n adapt group activities more specifically to consider the different ages and abilities of children to ensure that all children fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities n strengthen the sharing of information between key persons and the staff team to further promote and extend individual children's learning n embed consistent strategies to support children who speak English as an

p.3

should:

24 April 2025 additional language to develop their communication and understanding.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY444943 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10392518 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Madhatters Early Years Care Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01723 448 403 Date of previous inspection 29 August 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

MadHatters Pre School Nursery registered in 2012 and is located in Scarborough. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides government funded childcare.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector held discussions with the nursery managers and staff about the design of the curriculum and how it is being implemented. n The inspector observed staff's practice and their engagement with children throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. She completed a joint observation with one of the nursery managers. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7