Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Achievement verified
Expected standard
- Behaviour, attitudes and routines verified
Strong standard
- Children's welfare and wellbeing verified
Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching verified
Expected standard
- Inclusion verified
Strong standard
- Leadership and governance verified
Strong standard
- Framework verified
Report card
- Group verified
The Early Learning Partnership Limited
- Inspection datesingle source
5 Jun 2026
- Postcode verified
SR7 0BN
- Name on report verified
Harbour View Kindergarten
- Safeguarding verified
Met
- URN verified
2808232
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- AchievementExpected
- Behaviour, attitudes and routinesStrong
- Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong
- Curriculum and teachingExpected
- InclusionStrong
- Leadership and governanceStrong
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Leaders and staff provide a warm, safe, welcoming space where children enjoy play and learning. p.2
- Those with responsibility for SEND are extremely knowledgeable and experienced. p.3
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those who may face barriers to learning are extremely well supported. p.6
- Leaders have embedded a warm, harmonious and respectful culture in which children can increasingly manage their own feelings and behaviours. p.2
- For instance, leaders and staff work very closely with families and other agencies to ensure those who are known to children's social care and those who face barriers to learning are very well supported. p.2
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. p.5
- This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register. p.5
- Leaders should build on the arrangements for mentoring, coaching and training to ensure that all teaching is of a consistently high standard. p.6
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Teaching & assessment6
“Staff who work with babies provide warm and caring interactions.” p.6
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 9
- Words of findings
- 1,828
- about usual (typical 1698)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 48, typical 43
- Average sentence
- 13 words
- Next steps
- 3
- typical 3
- Hedged sentences
- 3%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Harbour View Kindergarten
Unique reference number (URN): 2808232 Address: Station Road, Seaham, SR7 0BN Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises Registered with Ofsted: 30/08/2024 Registers: EYR, CCR, VCR Registered person: The Early Learning Partnership Limited
p.1
Safeguarding standards met
The safeguarding standards are met. This means that leaders and/or those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed. As a result, children are made safer and feel safe.
p.1
How we evaluate safeguarding
When we inspect settings for safeguarding, they can have the following outcomes:
p.1
How we evaluate safeguarding
Met: The setting has an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not met: The setting has not created an open and positive culture of safeguarding. Not all legal requirements are met.
p.1
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard
Staff have very high expectations of children's behaviour. Relationships between staff and children are warm and trusting. They take a genuine interest in every child who attends the setting. Leaders have embedded a warm, harmonious and respectful culture in which children can increasingly manage their own feelings and behaviours. Unwanted behaviours are dealt with by calm staff in a sensitive manner. Staff work closely with parents to ensure consistency at the setting and at home. Children are kind and learn how to collaborate and play alongside their peers. Staff praise children explicitly. For example, they say 'well done for sharing'. This helps children to understand why they are being praised and helps to develop self-esteem.
p.2
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard
Children's attitudes towards their play are positive. For example, they are excited to explore whisking and making marks in 'gloop'. Children understand daily routines and anticipate what will happen next. Well-established routines promote children's independence. For instance, staff communicate with children and encourage them to use a sand timer to know when it is time to tidy up. Children respond very positively to reminders and move calmly between play and handwashing routines.
p.2
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Strong standard
Leaders promote children's regular attendance through conversations with parents and monitoring attendance. Staff and leaders act swiftly regarding any non-attendance.
p.2
Children's welfare and wellbeing Strong standard
Leaders and staff provide a warm, safe, welcoming space where children enjoy play and learning. Children have regular access to outdoor learning, where they enjoy opportunities to be active and explore with their friends. For instance, older children enjoy making tea in the mud kitchen. Children are physically active as they wave bubble wands and jump to pop the bubbles. Babies learn to climb up the steps and manoeuvre down the small slide.
p.2
Children's welfare and wellbeing Strong standard
Staff adapt their approach to each child's age and stage of development and their individual needs. Staff support children well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those who may face other barriers to learning. They support children to recognise and understand their emotions. For example, older children use coloured symbols to demonstrate how they are feeling.
p.2
Children's welfare and wellbeing Strong standard
Staff implement high-quality settling-in sessions, gathering a wealth of information from parents and carers. For instance, staff gather dietary requirements, allergies, weaning and sleeping information. This enables staff to know children's individual needs from the very beginning. For instance, leaders and staff work very closely with families and other agencies to ensure those who are known to children's social care and those who face barriers to learning are very well supported.
p.2
Children's welfare and wellbeing Strong standard
Children are sensitively supported to manage their personal needs. They understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and can do this independently. Staff teach children about eating healthily as they encourage them to try vegetables at lunchtime. They discuss the importance of a well-balanced diet.
p.2
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders and staff are highly committed to ensuring inclusive practice for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who may have barriers to learning receive effective, swift and targeted support from staff. Staff are proactive in making referrals to other professionals so that children receive support as quickly as possible. Those with responsibility for SEND are extremely knowledgeable and experienced. They have completed specific training to support other staff and perform their role effectively.
p.3
Inclusion Strong standard
Staff work in collaboration with parents and professionals to ensure children who may need additional support receive the right interventions at the right time. For instance, staff work closely with the local authority, speech and language therapists and health visitors. Individual plans are developed and consistently reviewed and adapted. This helps to ensure that children with SEND continue to make progress from their starting points. Children with SEND are supported through adapted approaches that reflect their individual circumstances. Staff use strategies such as simple language, visual objects and adaptations to the environment to support children's development.
p.3
Inclusion Strong standard
Leaders think carefully about how to support children further using additional funding to support children's learning. For example, they have purchased resources to develop calm spaces within the setting for those children who need them. Leaders regularly monitor the impact that the use of additional funding is having on children's progress. Staff are ambitious for all children.
p.3
Leadership and governance Strong standard
Leaders, the leadership team and staff are extremely passionate about their roles. Leaders identify strengths and some areas for development. They have high aspirations for the setting. Leaders regularly monitor and observe staff practice. They have identified further ways to improve staff practice to ensure teaching is consistently of a high standard. However, these are in the early stages of implementation. Staff feel well supported with their workload, welfare and wellbeing.
p.3
Leadership and governance Strong standard
Leaders have a secure understanding of their local area and the needs of the families that attend. For example, leaders have developed positive partnerships with external agencies, such as local family hub support, to provide families with advice and guidance where needed. Leaders work closely with other professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need. They coordinate with occupational therapists, portage, the local authority and health visitors to ensure that any strategies are implemented consistently. This helps children with SEND to make progress. Parents comment positively about the setting and how supportive the staff team is to them.
p.3
Leadership and governance Strong standard
Leaders ensure any additional funding, including early years pupil premium, is used effectively to support children's learning experiences. Additionally, leaders have highly
p.3
Expected standard
effective relationships with parents and carers, which has a positive impact on children's wellbeing. Parents comment that the staff team 'go above and beyond'.
p.4
Achievement Expected standard
Children typically make expected progress in their learning and development. There is an abundance of sensory experiences for children to explore with textures and sensations in their play. For instance, children giggle as they play with bubbles. They develop their speaking skills as they shout 'pop' when they catch bubbles. Children delight in squeezing dough and using rolling pins to make their own creations. Children are developing good communication and language skills. Children are given time to answer questions asked of them to build on their increasing vocabulary. They delight in story time with staff when they point and look at pictures in their favourite books. They show their increasing memory and recall skills as they competently sing all the words to the songs they remember.
p.4
Achievement Expected standard
Children are curious and enthusiastic about learning. They notice changes in colours as they spray coloured water and enjoy spraying at targets. Babies show resilience as they pull to stand and develop their walking skills.
p.4
Achievement Expected standard
Disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who face barriers to learning make their needs known. For instance, they communicate through sounds and visual prompts. All children, including those with SEND, make typical progress from their individual starting points. Children are well prepared and ready for the next stage in learning.
p.4
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching in the setting. The curriculum is designed with a focus on children's personal and social development and communication. Overall, the curriculum is typically taught well. Generally, staff understand the importance of sequencing children's learning. For example, babies move on to using open-topped cups prior to moving to the toddler room. However, there are some inconsistencies in the teaching of the curriculum. For example, staff do not always use spontaneous opportunities to enhance and extend children's learning. This means that opportunities to develop children's next steps in learning are not always maximised. That said, children are making typical progress from their starting points.
p.4
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Staff carefully assess children's learning and development. Group activities are typically well planned and support children's learning. For example, babies enjoy early counting as they stack bricks, and older children count the sticks they add to their dough birthday cake. Staff model mathematical language for children to hear. For example, when children fill containers with water, they are encouraged to use words such as 'full' and 'empty'.
p.4
Curriculum and teaching Expected standard
Disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may face barriers to learning receive individual support plans that help them to succeed. For instance, staff adapt activities and the environment to ensure inclusivity for all children.
p.4
Compulsory Childcare Register requirements
This setting has met the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.
p.5
Register
When we check if settings meet the Compulsory Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:
p.5
Voluntary Childcare Register requirements
This setting has met the requirements of the voluntary part of Childcare Register.
p.5
Register
When we check if settings meet the Voluntary Childcare Register requirements, they can have the following outcomes:
p.5
What it's like to be a child at this setting
Children and their families are at the heart of this inclusive setting. Children are pleased to be greeted warmly by caring, attentive staff and leave their parents with ease. Positive, nurturing attachments are developed with their key person. Children demonstrate that they
p.5
Inspector:
feel safe, secure and valued. They show a clear sense of belonging. Children independently choose from a wide range of equipment and resources. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy water play. They quickly learn how to use cups and pots to transport water from one tray to another. Children have access to outdoors, which further supports their development. They ride trikes, paint and investigate the mud kitchen.
p.6
Inspector:
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or those who may face barriers to learning are extremely well supported. Leaders and staff ensure they adapt the provision to meet the individual needs of all children and their families. Leaders and staff know the families well. They know and understand the area in which the families live. Staff develop positive and effective relationships with parents and significant carers. Staff work well with parents to ensure they understand the importance of attendance on children's learning and development.
p.6
Inspector:
Children demonstrate a love of books. They sit individually or share stories with their peers. They recall previous learning and predict what will happen next. For instance, older children eagerly act out parts of the story 'Going on a Bear Hunt'. Children work well together. They concentrate as they make a home for the bear from large wooden blocks. Children are familiar with the routines and expectations. They develop independence as they wash their hands and pour their drinks at mealtimes. This supports their growing confidence and self- care skills.
p.6
Inspector:
Staff who work with babies provide warm and caring interactions. Where babies are unsettled, staff provide reassurance and cuddles, helping babies to feel secure and comforted. Babies thoroughly enjoy singing their favourite songs and nursery rhymes with puppets. They happily join in with the actions to 'Twinkle, Twinkle', extending their vocabulary and confidence.
p.6
Next steps
Leaders should build on the arrangements for mentoring, coaching and training to ensure that all teaching is of a consistently high standard.
p.6
About this inspection
The inspector spoke with staff, leaders, parents and children during the inspection
p.6
About this inspection
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. Julie Campbell
p.6
Address:
Type: Childcare on non-domestic premises
p.7
Address:
Registered person: The Early Learning Partnership Limited
p.7
Address:
Operating hours: Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 17:45
p.7
Facts and figures used on inspection
This data was available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.
p.7
Exceptional
Practice is exceptional: of the highest standard nationally. Other settings can learn from it.
p.8
Strong standard
The setting reaches a strong standard. Leaders are working above the standard expected of them.
p.8
Expected standard
The setting is fulfilling the expected standard of education and/or care. This means they are following the standard set out in statutory and non ‑ statutory legislation and the professional standards expected of them.
p.8
Needs attention
The expected standards are not met but leaders are likely able to make the necessary improvements.
p.8
Urgent improvement
The setting needs to make urgent improvements to provide the expected standard of education and/or care.
p.8
Urgent improvement
services providing education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
p.8
Urgent improvement
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p.8
Urgent improvement
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p.8
Urgent improvement
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p.8
Urgent improvement
Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
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