Meadow Hill Education and Arts Nursery

Inspection of Meadow Hill Education and Arts Nursery 707 Chorley New Road, Lostock, BOLTON BL6 4AQ

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

The development of children's confidence is given high priority. Staff build relationships with all children from the start and consider children's emotional well- being. Children are taught how to understand and follow instructions, for instance using manners, listening at group time and being kind. Staff delegate the role of 'table captain' at mealtimes, where children set the table for their friends. This helps them gain a sense of responsibility. Children learn what makes them unique. They share their favourite foods and, after painting portraits of themselves, staff help them identify the differences and similarities between their peers. Children communicate with clarity and confidence. They are polite, content and busy.

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The provision is good

Staff know children well and how to help them continue making good progress. They implement targeted plans for children if they identify gaps in their development. Children quickly catch up, keep up and sometimes excel in their learning. Children are given a breadth of opportunities to expand their skills. Older children experience sessions in golf, cricket, dance and foreign languages. Older children show high levels of concentration, showing good preparation for their move to school. Leaders have developed practice since the last inspection to help improve the care and education for all children.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have reflected on the previous inspection to enhance the curriculum, particularly for older children. They have developed an understanding of how to better support children's behaviour. As a result, children understand age- appropriate rules and boundaries and receive high levels of praise when they achieve. Children show confidence and self-esteem during their play and seek comfort from staff if they need it. n In the main, learning is sequenced well from the start. However, staff do not consistently check what children already know prior to planning activities to tailor the curriculum. This means that some children are not ready for the learning that is expected from them. They occasionally lose interest in play or do not understand what is being taught. That said, children are usually happy to listen and wait for the next instruction during activities. n Overall, children have the chance to explore and learn within the well-equipped

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need to do better?

environment. However, the teaching of the curriculum is occasionally over- directed by staff and does not consistently support children's independence. For example, younger children are all asked to create the same picture. Additionally, children take part in a high number of adult-led activities. This occasionally restricts children's creativity and ability to make choices and follow their own ideas during play. n Children's mathematical skills are supported and intertwined throughout the

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need to do better?

16 April 2025 nursery. Older children say, 'Let's make it higher!' as they add more blocks to their towers. Additionally, they sing number songs where they know how to add and subtract one more at each verse. Younger children are starting to understand the order of numbers and size as they count items of food in a story and find the biggest caterpillar. n Leaders have a clear passion for the nursery and are highly focused on embedding a broad and rich curriculum. They model some excellent teaching skills to staff and help develop their practice. Staff seek out training they wish to complete in relation to their interests and the needs of children in their care. This helps staff take ownership of their own progression. Staff are enthusiastic about their roles and strive for excellence as a team. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported and their individual needs are valued. Parents are encouraged to carry out

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need to do better?

strategies that are used in nursery to help children's learning continue further. For example, if a gap in children's speaking skills is identified, staff share advice with parents about how to improve communication. n Leaders work closely with a range of local primary schools to help children's move into Reception class. They complete detailed transition forms to share with teachers, showing what children can do and where they need a little more help. Additionally, children learn skills such as getting changed into uniforms, concentrating on tasks and self-care routines. Teachers are welcomed into the nursery to make initial bonds with children. These techniques help children's transition to school to be a smooth process. n Parents are delighted with the care and education their children receive. They feel involved with their children's learning, for example, through invitations to children's concerts and nursery garden parties, and they are invited into the

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need to do better?

nursery on a regular basis for an update on their children's development. Parents know how to share information.

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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 all staff's ability to recognise what children already know and can do, in order to deliver a curriculum that meets all children's individual learning needs n encourage children to use and develop their creativity and thinking skills even more often, particularly for those children who show interest in exploring their environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 316022 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10359313 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 53 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Meadow Hill Education and Arts Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01204 492 497 Date of previous inspection 20 May 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Meadow Hill Education and Arts Nursery registered in 1990 and is situated in the Lostock area of Bolton. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff in total, 13 of whom are qualified to at least level 3 in childcare. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year, closing for Christmas and bank holidays only. Funded early education is provided for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n Managers discussed with the inspector how the nursery organises and plans the curriculum and experiences for children. The inspector viewed the space used by the nursery and observed the impact of staff's teaching on the children's learning and development. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with a member of the management team and evaluated the activity together. n Parents and grandparents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Managers showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff and a range of policies and procedures relating to the safety and welfare of children.

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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

16 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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