Selby Cottage Childcare Centre

Inspection of Selby Cottage Childcare Centre The Close East, Chester-le-Street, Durham DH2 2EY

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this exciting and stimulating setting. They develop remarkably strong bonds with the caring and nurturing staff. Staff provide children with an exceptional range of opportunities both indoors and in the extensive outdoor areas. For example, staff teach children how to safely use a range of tools to develop their woodwork skills. This provides an excellent opportunity for children to develop their fine muscle skills and encourages creative and critical thinking.

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The provision is outstanding

The extremely skilled staff actively promote a nurturing and engaging environment by meticulously planning activities based on children's interests and developmental stages. For instance, babies are highly engaged as they explore a wide range of sieves, ladles and utensils in the walk-in sand pit. Their communication and language development are skilfully supported as staff instinctively respond to younger babies' babbles. Toddlers repeat new words such as 'Jackdaw' as they look for birds during their 'Nurture through nature' sessions within forest school. Children thrive on the praise and encouragement from staff as they demonstrate their new vocabulary. Children are very settled, safe and secure.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are excellent role models for children. They have very high expectations of all children. Children are keen to help their peers. For example, when younger children do not have a seat at the table, older children help them to find one without prompting. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff foster a community atmosphere within the setting and opportunities to develop outside of the setting are extensive. For instance, children visit the local swimming baths, forest school and allotment. Furthermore, staff support children to visit the local aged miners' homes and the local community centre. This inclusive approach encourages children to learn about diversity and the world beyond their immediate environment.

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need to do better?

n The leadership team are inspirational. They strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards of care and learning for children. Staff are well qualified, highly motivated and passionate about their roles. The leadership team disseminate their skills and knowledge with other settings and colleges in the local area. Staff work extremely well together as a team. They are very supportive of each other. Staff well-being is paramount. n The curriculum is ambitious and expertly planned. Planning is sequenced to help children securely develop the skills and knowledge needed before they move on to their next stage of learning. Regular observations and assessments ensure that any gaps are swiftly identified. Activities are designed and implemented to support individual children's learning. Support for children's communication and language development is outstanding. The high-quality interactions between

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 staff and children, along with the regular reading of carefully selected books and stories, enable children to build their communication and literacy skills. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. They speak very highly of the nursery. Parents receive regular updates, daily feedback and are often welcomed into the setting for a variety of stay-and-play sessions. Parents praise staff and say they 'could not be happier' and that the staff are 'caring and dedicated.' Parents are delighted with their children's progress. They feel fully immersed in their children's learning and they value the way the setting embraces the whole community. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff are excellent role models. They encourage children to be respectful, take turns and help others. Staff have high expectations of all children in their care. This results in very calm and happy children who have very positive attitudes to each other and to their learning.

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need to do better?

n Children are extremely well supported to develop important independence skills. For example, during snack and lunchtime, children serve themselves from a wide range of healthy items. Younger children learn how to hold a knife safely while they butter their cracker. Older children help set the table, laying down cutlery and napkins for their friends. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support. Staff ensure that swift referrals are made, and support plans are of a high quality. Staff have established highly effective partnership working with other professionals, such as health visitors, speech and language therapists, and portage and the local authority. n The curriculum seamlessly extends between the indoor and outdoor area. Children benefit greatly from extensive outdoor experiences. Children develop their social and communication skills as they explore the mud kitchen. They

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need to do better?

explain that they are adding basil to their 'spaghetti bolognese'. Staff encourage children to explore nature and the environment. They dissect flowers, plant vegetables and go looking for bugs in the trees. Children take responsibility for looking after 'Kate' and 'Charlotte', the resident hens. Staff teach children how to keep safe around the campfire and with the support of staff children learn how to light a fire using a fire lighter and cotton wool.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446983 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10398843 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 77 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Durham County Council

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reference number

Telephone number 03000 264 095 Date of previous inspection 12 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Selby Cottage Childcare Centre registered in 2012 and is situated in Chester-le- Street. The centre is open Monday to Thursday from 8am until 6pm, and Friday from 8am until 5.30pm, all year round. It employs 15 members of childcare staff, 14 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two with level 5. The centre provides funded early education for children from nine months' old.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector around the premises. She talked about the curriculum and the way the setting is organised. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Children spoke to, and communicated with, 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 and the deputy manager carried out joint observations of activities. 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 setting.

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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

24 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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