Heaton Community Centre Childcare

Inspection of Heaton Community Centre Childcare Heaton Community Centre, Trewhitt Road, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE6 5DY

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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 arrive with big smiles, ready to play and learn with their friends. The kind and attentive staff give children a warm welcome. Children quickly become engaged in appealing activities. They share their news from home with their friends during 'welcome time' and show confidence in the group. Staff's supportive approach puts children at ease. Children develop a strong sense of belonging in the setting.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is broad and balanced. Staff take account of children's interests when planning activities that help them to learn more. They weave new skills and knowledge into fun activities. For example, staff model new words during play, which helps children to extend their vocabulary. They make suggestions during imaginative games that encourage children to think and expand on their ideas. Overall, this helps children to make good progress in all areas of learning.

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The provision is good

Staff show respect for children. They give them choices throughout their day, such as when they vote for which story they would like to hear. This teaches children about important values, such as fairness, and encourages them to listen to others and consider their needs. Staff model positive behaviours. They plan games where children must take turns and be patient. Children learn right from wrong and develop an understanding of how their actions impact on others.

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need to do better?

n Children are eager and curious learners who try their best. Babies explore sounds when shaking musical instruments. Toddlers try hard to make dinosaurs with dough. Older children show remarkable imaginative skills while playing with toy animals. They create detailed stories and work with friends to act out their ideas. Staff support this well, giving children plenty of time and space to develop their own ideas. n The curriculum is flexible and takes account of the ages and stages of development of children attending. For example, staff provide shorter activities at the beginning of a new term when the group is mostly younger children, then build on this as they develop. This reflects a good understanding of how children learn and demonstrates progression in the curriculum. n Staff use accurate assessments to help them to quickly identify children who may need more support with their learning. They take swift action and work in

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need to do better?

partnership with parents and carers and other professionals to help children to make the best possible progress. n Staff work alongside children during play to teach them new skills and knowledge. Generally, this helps children to build on what they know and can do. However, occasionally, when children's key persons are not present, staff are

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need to do better?

4 August 2025 less clear about the priorities for their learning. Teaching is, at times, less focused and does not help children to achieve particular aims for their learning. n The arrangements to welcome new children are highly effective. Staff work closely with parents to create personalised plans to help children to settle in. Babies quickly develop bonds with familiar staff, whose warmth, kindness and close attention help them to feel safe and secure. They become increasingly confident to explore the environment. n Staff support children's good health well. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise. For example, they use climbing equipment and ride bicycles in the courtyard. Staff provide further activities, such as yoga sessions, that help children to develop balance and coordination. n There is a strong focus on helping children to be independent. For example, staff encourage them to keep trying when attempting to zip their coat. Older children

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need to do better?

manage their own needs, such as washing their hands and cleaning their face. Younger children collect their nappies and clothes and carry them to the bathroom ready to be changed. They show pride in helping staff and managing tasks by themselves. n Leaders are committed to ongoing improvement. They share ideas from their professional development that build on the quality of education. For instance, they have strengthened the curriculum for literacy by providing more varied opportunities for early writing. However, professional development for the staff team is not yet sharply focused. For example, some staff have not yet taken steps to deepen their understanding of effective care routines to ensure that children's needs are met even more consistently. n Parents' feedback is overwhelmingly positive. They speak of staff's unwavering support for the whole family. Parents value staff's excellent communication. They

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need to do better?

welcome advice and support about how to support their children's 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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should:

n support staff to share more information so that teaching remains highly focused when key staff are not present n sharpen staff's professional development to further improve the good quality of care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550093 Local authority Newcastle upon Tyne Inspection number 10399725 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 79 Number of children on roll 82 Name of registered person Heaton Community Centre CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 2766712 Date of previous inspection 12 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Heaton Community Centre Childcare registered in 2017 and is located in the Heaton area of Newcastle upon Tyne. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas. Opening hours are from 7.30am until 6pm. The setting employs 11 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one who has achieved an early years teacher qualification. The setting offers government funded childcare and receives additional funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the areas of the community centre that are used for childcare. The manager explained how the provision is organised and how she ensures that the premises are safe and secure. n The manager accompanied the inspector on a learning walk. She talked about the aims for 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 The manager and the inspector worked together to observe and evaluate an activity. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager met with the inspector to discuss leadership and management of the setting. She shared relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff. n A number of parents met with the inspector to share 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

4 August 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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