Castle Kindergarten

Inspection of Castle Kindergarten Albany Teaching And Learning Centre, Albany Village Primary School, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE37 1UA

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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 develop a genuine love of learning in this highly stimulating nursery. The environment, both indoors and outdoors, is exceptional. It has been created to maximise opportunities for children to become fully engaged in a wealth of rich experiences to stimulate their curiosity and promote their development. Staff set up daily 'invitations to play' in all parts of the nursery. They use carefully selected resources that reflect children's interests and are appropriate to their age and stage of development. In the baby garden, children become engrossed in sensory play as they explore citrus water. They giggle with delight as they are encouraged to scoop and pour the liquid. Babies who are not yet able to stand are supported to access the same experiences from a seated position. In the toddler room, children's learning about the life cycle of a butterfly is reinforced as they use a range of different materials to make collages and paintings. When children choose to move

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The provision is outstanding

to the play dough station, they continue to talk to each other about eggs and cocoons. Pre-school children are fascinated as staff involve them in the release of the butterflies they have hatched. Inside, they concentrate as they grind herbs they have grown and mix these with powder paint. They skilfully use different utensils to cut fruit and vegetables and are delighted as they work out how to make their own pear juice. Throughout these rich experiences, staff are on hand, when needed, to introduce new vocabulary and to ask questions to support and extend children's learning. As a result, children make excellent progress from their starting points.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. The atmosphere throughout the nursery is calm and purposeful because children are fully absorbed in what they are doing. Children clearly show respect for the environment and learn how to take care of the beautiful resources provided. Staff help children to play alongside each other by modelling how to share and take turns. Children who may struggle to regulate their behaviour receive effective support and appropriate supervision.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers are passionate about providing the best possible start to children's early education. They lead the dedicated staff team with empathy and clarity. This enables staff to feel empowered and fully invested in the development of the nursery. Staff value professional development opportunities and feel supported by mentoring arrangements. n The curriculum within the nursery is based on a clear understanding of how young children learn. There is a strong focus on promoting children's personal, social and emotional development so they feel settled, secure and ready to learn. This starts with personalised settling-in arrangements. Transitions to different rooms are also managed effectively. There is a strong key-person system that further supports children's well-being.

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need to do better?

18 June 2025 n All staff know the children incredibly well. This enables them to ensure that all interactions with children consistently address their learning and development needs. Staff clearly explain the purpose of all the activities they provide. They use their knowledge of children's interests and their experiences at home to ensure that children access a broad range of different types of learning. Careful planning helps to address any gaps in children's development and provide opportunities for children to take part in new learning opportunities. n The nursery is highly inclusive. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support. Leadership of SEND is highly effective, providing support to all staff to ensure individual children's needs are met as effectively as possible. Clear procedures are in place to identify children who may need additional support. Liaison with parents and with any specialists

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need to do better?

ensures that information is shared in a timely manner, and strategies to support children are applied consistently. n Children's communication and language skills are developed effectively throughout the nursery. Staff in the baby room are skilled at giving children opportunities to vocalise. The youngest children beam with delight as they start to join in with familiar songs. Toddlers are encouraged to join words together as they respond to questions. Staff take time to listen to what children have to say. They further support their speech by repeating children's words using the correct pronunciation. Pre-school children confidently talk about their emotions at circle time. Staff remind them about the importance of listening to each other's contributions. n Opportunities for children to acquire and practise skills to promote their independence are sequenced carefully. The youngest children are enticed to

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need to do better?

explore the learning environment on their own by the placement of interesting activities around their room and outdoor space. The nursery works hard to support as many children as possible to be toilet trained before moving to the pre-school room. Older children serve their own food. They also have a more structured routine to prepare them for going to school. n Parents and carers recognise the nursery as a special place. They feel fully informed about their children's learning and development. Regular updates on the nursery app, detailed daily feedback and parents' evenings each term are valued. Parents are clear about what their children are working on, and their child's key person helps them to support and develop this learning at home.

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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 EY546316 Local authority Sunderland Inspection number 10392859 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 96 Name of registered person Castle Kindergarten Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 418 7122 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Castle Kindergarten registered in 2017. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one who holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and from 7.30am to 5.45pm on Fridays. The nursery offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 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 Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while at the nursery. 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

18 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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