Thorncliffe Barn

Inspection of Thorncliffe Barn Thorncliffe, Hollingworth, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 8JJ

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

Children eagerly enter this nursery. They are welcomed by the kind and nurturing staff, who spend time listening to children and parents. This helps them provide appropriate and safe care. For example, staff check if children have any new health needs. They learn about any events that children have enjoyed at home. Staff use this information as they plan the curriculum. For example, children are excited to show staff leaves and insects they found on their way to nursery. Staff give children bags to collect natural items outdoors. They use the items they collect in art activities. Staff support children by offering new words to describe the items, such as 'spiky' and 'crunchy'. This helps children to develop a good and varied vocabulary.

p.2

The provision is good

Overall, behaviour is good. Children demonstrate good manners, using 'please' and 'thank you' regularly. Staff supervise children well and they are on hand to support children when small disputes arise. They help children to express their feelings and demonstrate ways to resolve conflicts. Children learn to consider their friends' needs alongside their own. The nursery makes good use of its location. Children benefit from large open spaces to run, climb and balance. Staff plan these experiences to support children's physical skills. Children make good progress in readiness for their eventual move to school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers have implemented vetting processes that include Disclosure and Barring Service checks in a timely manner. This helps to ensure that staff are safe and suitable to work with children. All staff have up-to-date safeguarding training and demonstrate appropriate knowledge that would support them in identifying the signs of possible abuse. This helps to keep children safe. n Staff encourage children to consider safety as they play. For example, when playing with natural resources, staff remind children to keep smaller objects, such as acorns, where the youngest children cannot access them. Staff supervise this carefully. Children are supported to carefully explore spikes on conker shells, so they do not hurt themselves. Children begin to learn ways to keep themselves and their friends safe. n The curriculum is sequenced to help children's continued progress. For example, tummy time supports babies' core strength. Older babies have opportunities to

p.2

need to do better?

pull themselves to standing. Pre-school children become proficient in handling and manipulating resources. In addition, the nursery works closely with outside agencies, such as the local authority early years quality team. This helps it to have a continued focus on improving learning for children. Children make good progress in their development. n Staff join children as they play, offering resources and ideas to extend learning.

p.2

need to do better?

15 September 2025 Children generally welcome this involvement. However, on occasion, staff do not consider the timing of their interactions effectively, and they join children's play before children are ready. For example, staff interrupt children's thinking when they are exploring resources. As a result, children lose interest, move away and flit between activities. On these occasions, children are not supported to develop their concentration. They do not become deeply engaged in learning. n Staff support children to develop their independence skills. For example, under close supervision, babies learn to feed themselves. They progress to using a spoon and toddlers start to use an open cup. By pre-school, children are learning to set the table and serve their own food. Children become increasingly able to manage their own needs. n Behaviour is generally good. Staff consistently model positive behaviour. They

p.2

need to do better?

remind children to use their 'kind hands' and to follow rules, such as walking when inside. Staff give children regular praise, using phrases such as 'amazing' and 'well done'. Children respond with smiles. However, this praise is not specific enough for children to know the precise behaviour that is being celebrated. As a result, they are not sure of the behaviours that should be repeated. n Managers and staff are proud of their commitment to supporting children's good health. Their consideration of ways to include healthy foods has received recent recognition through a healthy eating and good oral health award. For example, the cook includes carrots and swede when mashing potatoes. This simple change encourages children to increase their intake of vegetables. In addition, staff talk to children about foods that help to keep their bodies and teeth healthy. Children learn healthy food habits.

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 carefully consider the timing of their interactions with children, to allow children time to develop their concentration and to help children to become deeply engaged in learning n offer children specific labelled praise when celebrating good behaviour, to help children know the precise behaviours that are good and should be repeated.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 312316 Local authority Tameside Inspection number 10410669 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 37 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Savage, Maureen

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01457 763 412 Date of previous inspection 4 June 2025

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Thorncliffe Barn registered in 1992 and is located in Mottram, Tameside. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualifications at level 4, five at level 3 and two at level 2. The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and Christmas. The nursery provides government funded places.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the premises and discussed their safety and suitability. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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

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.

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