Kids 1st - Wansbeck

Inspection of Kids 1st - Wansbeck Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9FY

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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

Children arrive happy and demonstrate they feel safe and comfortable in the care of the friendly staff team. A robust key-person system is in place, ensuring children build strong and nurturing attachments with staff from the start. Children quickly become engaged in play in one of the well-organised and exciting nursery rooms. Staff are creative in their presentation of activities, which helps to capture the children's interests.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from enriching, varied experiences. For example, older children learn about the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Staff capitalise on their interest in dinosaurs to widen children's vocabulary. For example, children know that an archaeologist digs for dinosaur bones. Children use reference books to look for specific dinosaurs and enthusiastically explain that hot lava comes out of volcanos. Young children enjoy exploring play dough, while engaging in pretend play with their peers. They pull, pinch and stretch the dough, using their hands to make pretend pizzas. This builds strength in their fingers in preparation for early writing and their imaginative skills.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and are respectful and considerate towards staff and peers. Staff are very intuitive and promptly respond to children's needs with kindness and empathy. They recognise children's achievements and continuously praise them for their efforts to boost their self-esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

n The management team is passionate about the setting and its ongoing improvement. They ensure that the curriculum provides appropriate challenge and is securely embedded across all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and others in receipt of additional funding, are supported well. Leaders spend this funding thoughtfully to provide appropriate resources that support children's learning. Staff work closely with external professionals, such as the local authority's SEND advisers and speech and language therapists, to ensure children have appropriate, targeted support to narrow any emerging gaps. n Children's communication and language development are supported effectively across all age groups. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations and provide running commentaries during activities. They use clear speech and repeat simple words and phrases to secure children's understanding. Staff

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need to do better?

introduce new words to broaden older children's vocabulary, such as 'ocean' and 'archaeologist'. n Throughout the setting, children enjoy listening to stories with staff and explore

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need to do better?

5 June 2025 books independently. Staff provide cosy corners and comfortable spaces for children to relax in and enjoy looking at books. Babies snuggle up to staff to listen to their favourite stories. This helps to foster a love of books and early reading skills. n Good opportunities are provided through activities and daily routines to promote children's mathematical development. Older children talk about numbers being higher or lower. They complete simple sums as they sing familiar songs. Staff use opportunities during all activities to help children learn about number recognition, sequencing, shape, and size. n Staff patiently meet children's individual care needs and develop all children's independence. For instance, babies learn to feed themselves using a spoon from a very young age. While older children serve their own meals and pour their drinks. Staff work closely with parents to toilet train children as soon as they are

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need to do better?

ready. n Children benefit from having nutritious meals cooked on site. There are robust procedures in place to ensure all children's dietary needs are met and that allergies and intolerances are accommodated. For example, children with food allergies have their meals served on a red plate to help clearly identify their need and to keep them safe. n Staff say their well-being and mental health are very important. They have continuous access to regular training, such as through an online facility and face- to-face meetings. Although staff receive focused supervision sessions, leaders acknowledge that more regular monitoring of staff practice will help to support staff to raise the quality of teaching and education even further. n Partnerships with parents are strong and respectful. They comment that staff are genuinely caring, kind and joyful, always going the extra mile. Parents say the communication is good. They feel very reassured that their children are in safe

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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 interest first.

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should:

n continue to improve the monitoring of staff practice to help support staff to raise the quality of teaching and education even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY283628 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10406442 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 112 Number of children on roll 159 Name of registered person Busy Bees Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01670 855 439 Date of previous inspection 18 July 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Kids 1st - Wansbeck registered in 2004. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspectors carried out a learning walk with the manager and discussed how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspectors observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. They spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspectors 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. n The inspectors spoke with parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

5 June 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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