ILM Day Nursery

Inspection of ILM Day Nursery ILM Day Nursery, 60 Snow Hill, Hanley, Staffordshire ST1 4LY

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this welcoming nursery. As children arrive at the nursery, they are greeted warmly by kind and caring staff. Children who speak English as an additional language benefit from targeted support to ensure that they make good progress in their development of English. Most staff are multilingual. They use their knowledge of other languages to support children and their families well. Staff help children to feel safe, to follow directions and behave well. They praise children positively to help reinforce the behaviours they want to see, building children's confidence and self-esteem. This helps children feel proud of their achievements.

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The provision is good

Leaders have developed and implemented a curriculum that is progressive and tailored to what children need to learn at different stages of their development. Staff focus on supporting children to develop positive attitudes towards learning. They plan activities that engage and stimulate children's interests. For example, children enjoy using play dough to create their own face, using their hand-eye coordination and hand muscles. Staff model rolling and pinching the play dough to create mouth and eye shapes. Staff value children's ideas, and when they say we need red because our lips are red, children are offered red glitter to add to their creations.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated leaders, alongside their staff team, are passionate about continuous improvement and strive to provide the best outcomes for children and their families. The leadership team ensures that staff's knowledge is kept up to date on all changes, and they know how to confidently recognise and manage any concerns about children. n Staff know the children well and spend time building strong relationships with all children. Staff complete regular assessments of what children know and can do. They use these assessments to plan activities that allow children to successfully build their learning over time and to identify any gaps in children's knowledge and skills. n Children enjoy singing and dancing activities, both indoors and outdoors. Staff join in dancing activities with children and demonstrate the actions. Staff sing nursery rhymes, which helps children to learn through repetition and gain

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need to do better?

confidence in their communication skills. Outdoors, children move their bodies excitedly to the music, which helps promote their early appreciation of music. n Staff actively promote cultural diversity and celebrate children's unique backgrounds. Children learn about a range of religious and cultural celebrations, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year and the Stoke centenary, through hands-on craft activities. Children take part in fundraising activities to support local causes.

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need to do better?

26 September 2025 These experiences help children to learn about the diverse world and the community in which they live. n Staff interact well with children and play alongside them to support their learning and development. Staff engage in conversations and use these opportunities to widen children's vocabulary. However, occasionally, staff move on too quickly without giving children enough time to think and respond to the questions they pose. This reduces opportunities for children to extend their ideas and deepen their vocabulary. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress. Leaders create achievable targets and ensure that all staff understand how best to support children with SEND. They work closely with specialist services and parents, as a result, children benefit from structured support and a consistent approach to their care. n Staff support children in learning about healthy lifestyles. They ensure children

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need to do better?

spend plenty of time outdoors in the fresh air and are provided with nutritious snacks and meals. However, at times, staff are called away from mealtime routines to deal with other tasks, which results in some children losing interest and their attention being interrupted. n Children develop their independence through everyday tasks and personal care routines. Staff promote children's independence well through curriculum activities, such as handwashing before meals, brushing their teeth after snack and using the mirror to check their faces are clean after lunch. Staff guide older children in developing personal skills, such as recognising when they need to wipe their noses. n Parent partnerships are a key strength. Parents are very happy with the care and support their children receive. Parents are kept well informed about their child's progress through daily conversations and information shared electronically.

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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 provide children sufficient time to gather their thoughts, process new information and respond to questions being asked by adults to further support their communication skills n strengthen the organisation of mealtimes so staff can continue interacting with children and promote their learning without being distracted by other routine tasks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2720729 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10395087 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person EARLY ED MATTERS LIMITED

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reference number

Telephone number 01902 840081 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

ILM Nursery registered in 2023. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, of whom two hold qualified teacher status and seven hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery offers funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received from the provider. n The provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum on offer. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The provider and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector held a management meeting with the provider and reviewed relevant evidence to demonstrate the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector spoke to parents and reviewed written comments, and took account of 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

26 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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