Hillside House Nursery

Inspection of Hillside House Nursery The Old School, Hookagate, Shrewsbury SY5 8BE

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

There are inconsistencies in the key-person system. Staffing arrangements mean that babies do not always have their key person or core staff present. Some babies, particularly those who are new to the setting, are at times very unsettled. Although there are enough staff present, they are not always familiar to the children. This means that babies are not supported to build settled relationships with familiar staff to help them to feel secure. Furthermore, recent staff changes mean that some key persons do not know about older children's current stages of development or next steps in their learning. This means that they do not receive tailored learning experiences to support them to make progress in their development.

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The provision requires improvement

Throughout the nursery, the quality of teaching is variable. While staff spend time trying to comfort new children, more settled babies occupy themselves. They are provided with a range of toys and they practise skills, such as climbing and walking. However, babies learning is often incidental. Older children initiate their own play. They use their imaginative skills to pretend to look for animals outdoors with staff. However, there are too few occasions where staff utilise these opportunities to extend children's learning.

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The provision requires improvement

In contrast, toddler-age children thrive. They use crayons to make marks on paper. Staff introduce the names of colours they use and shapes they draw. Children sit down with staff to enthusiastically share stories. Staff model counting language and help children to understand the concept of numbers by counting objects to the same quantity.

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need to do better?

n Recent staff changes have affected the key-person system. There are frequent changes of staff working with babies. This hinders newer children because they struggle to settle and form secure relationships with consistent adults. Changes of staffing for older children mean that key persons do not know what children are able to do, or what the next steps in their learning are. This impacts on the support they receive to make progress in their learning. n Managers have identified some intentions for children's learning. These are sequenced to prepare children for the next stage in their learning. Children access a variety of resources and activities throughout their day. However, staff do not always know why they plan activities or what they want children to learn through these. While children often enjoy activities, such as painting or playing outdoors, they are not well-enough supported to make progress in their

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need to do better?

learning. n Leaders and managers are alert to gaps in children's learning, which may

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need to do better?

15 September 2025 indicate possible special educational needs and/or disabilities. They understand how to provide appropriate intervention to support children. Staff work closely with parents to implement strategies, such as providing picture cards both at the setting and at home, to help children to communicate with adults. n Parents state that they have recognised frequent changes in staffing and management. They do not always receive information about these changes, or changes to their child's key person. Nevertheless, parents consistently comment that staff are kind and caring, and that their children remain happy in the setting. n Children generally behave well throughout the setting. Toddler-age children receive clear messages from staff during their play about how to keep themselves and others safe. That said, babies and older children do not have meaningful or challenging experiences that help them to get deeply engaged in

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need to do better?

their play and learning. Some children flit between activities frequently, meaning they do not develop highly positive attitudes towards their learning. n Staff comment positively about the support they receive from leaders and managers. They access online training opportunities and have regular supervision meetings with managers to discuss their role. However, leaders and managers do not recognise or respond to some weaknesses in staff's teaching and practice. This means that supervision and training opportunities are not yet sharply focused enough on addressing these areas for development to promote the interests of children. n Children are provided with ample opportunities to develop their independence. Younger children make choices about their own play and learning. They collect resources they would like to play with, and staff help them to set activities up. Older children are highly competent in serving their own food and drink. They

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need to do better?

plate up their own meals at lunchtime and use a jug to pour their own water. Children skilfully use cutlery to feed themselves.

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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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Due date

15 September 2025 ensure that the key-person system is effective to support children to build settled relationships and provide care and learning that is tailored to meet their individual needs. 17/10/2025

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should:

n develop the planning for activities so that children receive high-quality experiences that build on their learning n improve the consistency of information shared with parents so that they are fully engaged in their children's care and learning n monitor staff and evaluate their practice more precisely to strengthen their teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489172 Local authority Shropshire Council Inspection number 10420738 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 60 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Hillside House Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01743860456 Date of previous inspection 22 August 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Hillside House Nursery registered in 2015. It is located in Hook-a-Gate, Shrewsbury. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.50am until 6pm. The nursery employs 26 members of staff. Of these, eight hold qualifications at level 3 and eight hold qualifications at level 2. The nursery is in receipt of early education funding for children aged from nine months.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager, supporting manager and inspector completed a learning walk to understand how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation to evaluate to effectiveness of teaching. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents and children spoke to the inspector and gave their views of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a meeting with an area manager and the manager and looked at relevant documentation and evidence of staff suitability.

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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

15 September 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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