2nd Home Childcare Ltd@Barley Mow

Inspection of 2nd Home Childcare Ltd@Barley Mow The Birtley Centre, Pembroke Avenue, Chester Le Street DH3 2DJ

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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

At this setting, children thrive in a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where they feel happy and secure. This atmosphere is built on staff's commitment to creating strong attachments. Familiar adults are consistently available throughout the day to join children in their play and learning, encouraging them to share their experiences and ideas with their peers. For example, staff consistently get down to the children's level during interactions. These nurturing practices directly support the ambitious curriculum that leaders have created, which encourages all children to be independent, confident and resilient.

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The provision is good

On arrival, children confidently leave their parents at the door, hang up their coats and bags, and settle into their room routines. This smooth start to the day is a result of staff knowing all children well and implementing sensitive, targeted strategies to support new starters and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is good

Children display positive attitudes to their learning and actively engage in the nursery day and activities available. The setting promotes a genuine love of learning and a strong sense of responsibility. For example, older children are given ownership by participating in risk assessing the garden with clipboards and pens, looking for potential hazards. They are becoming capable individuals who are well- prepared for their next stages of learning.

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need to do better?

n Learning is well sequenced. For instance, younger children attempt to put on their own coats, while older children confidently self-serve at lunchtime. To support this developmental journey, staff create meaningful activities that directly link to children's interests. For example, a seasonal interest prompted a perfume making activity using natural resources, which developed skills such as handling scissors and promoted child-led investigation. n Staff use observations and assessments, including the two-year progress check, to track children's development. This approach ensures they know what children can do and what they need to learn next, allowing staff to swiftly identify gaps and create clear next steps. n Communication and language are a priority. Children are introduced to new vocabulary during play, such as 'pollen' and 'absorb'. Staff promote sustained shared thinking and prediction during conversations. To support babies in

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need to do better?

understanding and learning their first words, staff use gestures alongside spoken language. Staff create a love of reading through engaging story times and the use of a lending library, which encourages families to engage in joint reading at home.

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need to do better?

30 September 2025 n Daily routines serve as key learning opportunities. Children mostly follow these routines with happiness and confidence. For example, staff and children manage transitions between activities or rooms well by singing a song and forming a line, which makes the movement a positive and fun learning experience. However, the organisation of the transition into planned group time for older children is not as effectively managed. As a result, some children become unsettled when staff do not provide consistent emotional support in a timely manner. n Children have frequent opportunities to develop their physical skills. The well- resourced outdoor area offers a challenging, hilly terrain with elements including balancing on crates and tyres, which helps children develop coordination and gross motor movements. Staff ensure children exercise energetically and explore in all weather. They carefully sequence the development of fine motor skills

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need to do better?

across the setting. For example, babies make marks in sand while older children use thin pencils to create artwork. n Staff build strong partnerships with parents, creating a second home for families. Parents report that staff are caring and approachable and that they feel involved in children's development. Staff use face-to-face communication to update parents on children's progress and remain flexible to individual family needs. n The leadership team is strong. Leaders have created a culture of reflection and continuous improvement. They place a high priority on staff well-being, leading to a confident, settled and motivated team. Leaders ensure secure and consistent practice across the team through regular supervision and targeted training for staff. n Healthy lifestyles are promoted through activities such as brushing large toy teeth and handwashing practices. Children benefit from nutritious meals and

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need to do better?

have constant access to fresh water throughout the day.

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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 the organisation of routine transitions for older children, particularly those leading into group times, to better support all children's emotional needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY475614 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 10399459 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person 2nd Home Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0191 447 7877 Date of previous inspection 3 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

2nd Home Childcare Ltd@Barley Mow registered in 2014. The nursery employs 11 members of staff, seven of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one who holds a level 7. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The nursery receives funding to provide subsidised early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The nursery director and deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection about what they enjoy doing at the setting. n Staff discussed with the inspector how they support children with SEND. n The inspector and manager completed a joint observation of a planned group activity. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided for all children. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector discussed with staff how they deal with and record accidents and incidents. n The nursery manager, director and area manager spoke with the inspector about

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Inspection activities

the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

30 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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