Hillside House Nursery

Inspection of Hillside House Nursery Hillside House, Lyth Hill Road, Bayston Hill, SHREWSBURY SY3 0AU

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Since the last inspection, there have been significant changes to the leadership team, as well as the staff teams within the rooms. While leaders have worked hard to maintain ratios, there has been some impact on the quality of teaching and learning for children. However, children enjoy their time at this warm and welcoming nursery.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff happily welcome children into nursery and, as a result, they separate with ease from their parents. Babies and young children seek out familiar adults for cuddles and reassurance, which helps them settle quickly. Older children become engrossed in their favourite play activities with their friends. Children behave very well and follow the nursery routines with confidence. They are kind to their friends and play well together. For example, a group of children work well together to build a den with large bricks. They take turns to be the shopkeeper in their outside shop.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff organise a range of interesting resources and activities for children designed to support all areas of learning. Children happily explore these as they play. For example, they use coloured chalks to write letters and numbers on wooden disks in the garden. They persevere as they work out how to use the tap on the water jug to pour themselves a drink.

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need to do better?

n Leaders acknowledge that the changes in staffing have had an impact on the quality of teaching and learning for children. They recognise where there is very strong practice and where there needs to be some sharply focused improvement. They have started to identify the steps they need to take to help improve the quality of the provision for children. However, this is still in the very early stages and has not yet begun to have an impact. n Leaders have a clear vision for what they want children to learn. There is an ambitious curriculum in place, which focuses on building skills and knowledge over time. However, because of inconsistencies in staffing, the delivery of the curriculum is not yet fully embedded in all rooms. n Leaders are passionate about supporting the well-being of the staff team. They meet regularly with them to discuss any issues and concerns, and to highlight training needs. Staff have access to a wide range of professional development

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need to do better?

opportunities through an online training platform. Team meetings also provide opportunities for in-house training and development. For example, safeguarding updates are discussed so that staff's knowledge remains up to date. n Staff who have been at the setting for some time know the children well. They can explain where children are in their development and what the focus is to support their progress. However, staff do not always promptly recognise when

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need to do better?

30 April 2025 children may need additional support. As a result, intervention is not always in place early enough to help close gaps in children's progress. n Parents know who their child's key person is because they talk with them every day. They keep them informed about their child's development and ways they can support their child at home. However, key-person responsibilities sometimes rely too heavily on a small number of key staff. n Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Leaders employ a cook who prepares food fresh every day and who makes sure the menu is balanced. Any allergies or dietary requirements are accommodated with care and attention. n Babies receive warm, affectionate care from staff who know them very well. They explore a wide range of resources and activities, which encourage sensory experiences. Knowledgeable and skilled staff support babies to develop their early communication skills. For example, they speak clearly, comment on what

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need to do better?

they are doing, encourage babies' sounds and use simple words during interactions with them. n Children enjoy exploring the extensive outdoor garden areas. They observe little blossom petals falling from the tree in the wind, carefully picking them up for a closer look. They challenge themselves to climb up and balance on the large wooden climbing frame. Staff help them understand fast and slow as they swing around on the tyre rope swing. They run around happily, playing hide and seek games and chasing their friends.

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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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Due date

ensure all staff have appropriate training, skills and knowledge to deliver a rich and varied curriculum, to improve the overall quality of teaching for children to support all children to make good progress. 30/11/2025

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should:

30 April 2025 n strengthen staff's knowledge of how to quickly identify significant gaps in children's learning, and how to seek additional support promptly n assist staff to fulfil their role as a key person successfully to ensure that all children receive consistent and effective support.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY104253 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 10401961 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 90 Number of children on roll 161 Name of registered person Hillside House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01743872203 Date of previous inspection 21 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Hillside House Nursery registered in 2015. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold early years qualifications at level 6, four at level 3 and five at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.45am to 6pm. The nursery provides government funded early education for all eligible 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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with managers about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 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

30 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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