Play & Learn Nursery

Inspection of Play & Learn Nursery 2 Beverley Road, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire TS4 3LQ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are settled and confident in this warm and welcoming nursery. They are deeply engaged in purposeful play and enjoy the calm, nurturing environment. Strong, trusting relationships help children feel safe and emotionally secure. They approach staff with ease and show high levels of well-being.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a broad, ambitious curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. Activities are planned around their interests and spark curiosity. For example, during group time, children sing a rhyme about 'big and small', 'fast and slow'. Staff guide the discussion by asking, 'What were we learning about?' and children confidently reply, 'Opposites'. Staff extend learning with thoughtful questions and practical examples, such as comparing how objects move. Outdoors, children challenge their physical skills by balancing on crates and planks, helping to build strength, coordination and confidence. These experiences support physical development and the ability to take safe risks.

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The provision is good

Staff are calm and consistent role models. They have high expectations for behaviour and gently remind children of routines and safety. For instance, when children begin to run indoors, staff explain that they might fall and hurt themselves. Children develop a strong sense of responsibility and care for others. They show enthusiasm in their play and a growing independence, helping to prepare them for future learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff skilfully support children's communication and language throughout the day. They hold purposeful conversations, introduce new vocabulary and encourage children to share their thoughts. For example, during small-world play, children use words, such as 'omnivore' and 'aquarium', in context. This supports their confidence, comprehension and ability to communicate effectively. n Staff observe children carefully and use assessments to identify their next steps in learning. However, staff are not consistently aware of these next steps for all children, particularly when working outside of their usual room. This means that, at times, staff do not make the most of opportunities to build on what children already know and can do. n Staff plan a wide range of enjoyable activities that reflect children's interests. However, occasionally the specific learning intentions of adult-led activities are not clearly identified or embedded into practice. This means that, occasionally,

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need to do better?

the focus of some teaching is less precise, and learning opportunities are not consistently maximised. n Staff promote children's independence well. They confidently serve their own snacks, tidy away resources and follow self-care routines, such as toothbrushing.

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need to do better?

8 July 2025 These everyday responsibilities help children become confident, capable individuals. n Staff foster a love of stories, rhymes and songs through daily routines and well- planned experiences. Children independently select books to enjoy with peers or adults and engage enthusiastically in number songs, such as 'Five Little Ducks', using props to support understanding. These activities build listening and attention, early literacy and a positive attitude to learning. n Children benefit from a menu of healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks prepared on site. Staff talk to children about the benefits of different food, such as fruit, during play. This supports children's physical development and helps them understand the importance of making healthy choices. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Families speak positively about the warm, approachable staff and feel well informed about their child's progress. They

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need to do better?

value the option to borrow home learning packs linked to all areas of the curriculum, which helps them to support learning at home. This collaborative approach promotes consistency and strengthens outcomes for children. n Leaders identify children with additional needs quickly and ensure timely referrals are made to external professionals. Staff adapt routines and implement targeted support to meet individual needs. This ensures that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are fully included and make progress from their starting points in their learning. n Staff describe the leadership team as approachable and supportive. They describe feeling valued and listened to. Regular supervisions and team meetings allow staff to reflect on their practice, share key information and discuss children's needs. This open communication and collaborative culture helps to

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need to do better?

ensure strong continuity of care and a consistent approach to teaching across the setting.

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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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should:

n strengthen how information about children's next steps is shared across the staff team, to better support staff in building on what children already know and can do n ensure learning intentions are clearly identified in adult-led activities, so that staff can focus interactions and maximise children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2528659 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 10392894 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 57 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Montessori Pre-Schools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01642852626 Date of previous inspection 10 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Play & Learn Nursery registered in 2019. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged nine months to four years old.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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.

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Inspection activities

8 July 2025 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

8 July 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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