Tiny Tinkers Nursery

Inspection of Tiny Tinkers Nursery Fencehouses & District Community Centre, Woodstone Village, Houghton Le Spring DH4 6DS

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Staff create a warm, friendly and home-from-home environment for children. There are plenty of resources for children to choose from. Many are items found in a home, such as egg cups or boxes with lids for children to put things in. These stimulate their interest and imagination. Children arrive eager to play and learn.

p.2

The provision is good

The views of children are very important to managers and staff. They talk to children about what they want in the nursery. For example, children suggested a garden centre in the outdoor area. Staff have developed this area. Children become highly engaged in planting, digging in soil and watering the plants. Staff have provided many opportunities for children to make marks. They draw on blackboards and easels and use paintbrushes with water to paint on the wall outside. This helps to develop their hand muscles and is preparation for their early writing skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff help children to understand the behaviour rules. Children recall the rules. They say they need to listen and to tidy up when they have finished playing with things. Staff intervene quickly when there are any disputes over toys. Children understand about sharing and taking turns with staffs help.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers are passionate about the nursery and what it offers to children. They have worked hard with staff since the last inspection to make improvements. Managers have developed a new curriculum that they have implemented well with staff. This has helped staff to plan effectively for their key children. n Managers work alongside staff so they can monitor their practice. They hold supervision meetings with them to discuss children's progress and staff's well- being. This helps them to identify if there is any training that staff need for their own professional development. n Changes since the last inspection include making sure that children are safe at all times in the nursery. Staff have attended training for safer sleeping. This has resulted in managers purchasing sleep mats and individual bedding for children. This ensures children can sleep safely. New chairs have been bought for mealtimes. These ensure that children can eat while seated securely.

p.2

need to do better?

n There is strong support to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals. They implement strategies that other professionals share. One-to-one support for children is provided where needed. Resources are provided for children in receipt of additional funding, which meet their particular needs. This helps children to reach their full potential. n Staff provide a wide range of activities and opportunities for children to experience. For example, they have a focus book that they change every two

p.2

need to do better?

11 June 2025 weeks. Children learn in depth about the book. This continues on into their imaginative play. These opportunities excite and engage children in their play. For instance, they recall the current book when they plant a bean to grow. Parents and children can borrow books to share at home. This helps children to develop a deep appreciation for reading. n Overall, staff support children's communication and language well. They provide commentary during children's play. For example, children play with plastic minibeasts. There is lots of talk about spiders. Staff repeat 'spider' several times so that children learn the correct way to say it. This leads to staff singing 'Incy Wincy Spider' with children. However, there are occasions when staff and children use words that could be interpreted as judgemental, such as 'silly billy'. This does not help children to feel good about themselves. n Staff give high priority to children's personal, social and emotional development.

p.2

need to do better?

They are caring with children, and children are happy to spend time with them. There are times when staff acknowledge how children are feeling, such as when they are happy. However, there are missed opportunities where they do not make the most of talking to a child, for example, if they say they are sad.

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 support staff to understand the impact of using negative words with children n support staff to know when to discuss children's feelings with them to help them to understand their emotions.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2713030 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10390206 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Tiny Tinkers LTD

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07964948817 Date of previous inspection 24 January 2025

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Tiny Tinkers Nursery registered in 2022. It is situated in Fencehouses, County Durham. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, and the provider, who is also the manager, holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, all year round except for bank holidays and for a week at Christmas. The nursery provides government-funded early education sessions and receives additional funding for disadvantaged children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The nursery provider, who is the manager, and the inspector completed a tour of the nursery, indoors and outdoors, to understand how the setting and curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children during activities. n The provider and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity to assess the quality of teaching. n The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability of all staff. n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

11 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6