Alphabets Nursery

Alphabets Nursery 2 Hillary Road, Penenden Heath, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2JP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 July 2015 12 August 2014

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 The quality of teaching is outstanding across the nursery. As a result, all children make exceptional progress in their learning and development and are extremely well prepared for starting school.  The nursery manager and her deputy are an inspirational team. They accurately identify what needs to improve in the nursery and make the necessary changes.  Concerted action has been taken since the last inspection to improve the quality of teaching. Staff should be commended for the dedication they have shown in accessing training and external support to improve their practice so quickly.  Children thoroughly enjoy their day at nursery. They form exceptional relationships with the staff who look after them and the other children. Throughout the nursery, there is an extremely relaxed, homely and calm atmosphere.  Meticulous attention is given towards keeping children safe. Staff thoroughly understand their role in protecting children and clearly know what to do if they have

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This provision is outstanding

any concerns.  Parents are extremely happy with the nursery and have supported its improvement over the last year. One parent expressed the view of many by telling the inspector, 'The staff are brilliant. I would not change a thing.'  The attention to detail in supporting children's well-being is exceptional. Staff are extremely caring; they know the children so well and are extremely responsive to each child's individual needs. Consequently, each child settles very quickly.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 continue to develop ways to help staff monitor their own practice and identify their own areas to improve.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching, both inside the nursery and outside.  The inspector talked to staff about how they plan for each child's learning needs and how they monitor all children's progress.  The inspector talked to children and asked them about what they enjoy at nursery.  The inspector carried out two joint observations with the nursery manager to evaluate the quality of teaching.  The inspector talked to parents who were available on the day of inspection to seek their views.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager to evaluate how well leaders and managers make improvements within the nursery and monitor staff practice.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff are highly skilled and access extensive training to help them plan activities which really engage children and capture their interests. Across the nursery, staff have developed their skills in supporting children's language and communication. This has had an outstanding impact on the quality of teaching. Babies confidently use 'signs' to convey their needs and staff respond positively to these. Teaching has significantly improved as staff now use more in-depth questioning to encourage children to think things through and build on their knowledge. As a result, all children are extremely curious, inquisitive and keen to learn. For example, as part of a group activity observing the weather and talking about summer, one child asked the staff member, 'Can you tell me about the seasons?', which the staff member did. Extensive planning has significantly improved how accurately staff monitor how well all children are learning. Any early indications that a

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who attend. This is outstanding

child may not be making as much progress as the others, are quickly responded to and any potential delays are stopped. Meticulous attention has been given towards helping boys to develop an interest in writing and recognising that print carries meaning. An excellent selection of activities and resources has successfully addressed this and boys now make good progress with their early writing skills.

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outstanding

The care provided for every child is exceptional. Throughout the nursery, children are extremely happy and thoroughly relaxed in the staff's care. The safety and welfare of all children is paramount to the staff. Children develop an excellent range of skills to support their future learning. For example, they are extremely independent and their behaviour is exemplary. Staff support children's self-esteem and confidence by continually praising children and celebrating their individual achievements. Staff motivate children to ask questions, to develop curiosity and to try things for themselves. As a result, children show deep levels of interest and concentrate for long periods of time.

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provision is outstanding

The leadership and management of the nursery are exemplary. The manager's in-depth knowledge of early years has been extremely influential in the rapid pace of improvement. Highly effective support from the local authority has contributed towards the nursery's swift improvement. Comprehensive action plans have been drawn up to address improvement areas and these are monitored closely. Regular meetings ensure time is given for staff to reflect on their own practice and identify future training needs. Opportunities for staff to observe one another are starting. However, the manager frequently observes practice and highlights areas to improve. Safeguarding arrangements are given the highest priority. Partnerships with local schools, early years settings and parents are all excellent and contribute to the outstanding provision and the exemplary support for children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY263151 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1006077 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 66 Name of provider Alphabets Nursery Ltd Date of previous inspection 12 August 2014 Telephone number 01622 762045

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Setting details

Alphabets Nursery opened under new management in April 2003 and is registered on the Early Years Register. It is situated in the residential area of Penenden Heath, to the north of Maidstone, Kent. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round from 8am until 6pm. There are currently 66 children on roll. The nursery is in receipt of funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. A team of 11 staff work with the children. Of these, nine hold relevant early years qualifications. The nursery manager holds Early Years Professional Status.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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