Kingsnorth Little Stars

Kingsnorth Little Stars Kingsnorth Village Hall, Church Hill, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3EF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 May 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff provide a well-resourced, welcoming environment for the children. Children have easy access to a wide range of toys that support them to make informed choices in their play. Staff teach children to be self-reliant and help them to make good progress in their learning.  Children thoroughly enjoy their time at nursery. They arrive eager to join in activities and chat to staff and friends. Children have close relationships with the staff that look after them. Staff are very sensitive in supporting each child's personal needs.  The manager makes effective use of self-evaluation to bring about positive changes. She works in a targeted way to identify areas for development. There is a continuous programme of improvement in place, which helps to provide consistently good quality care and learning experiences for all children.  Management and staff pay close attention to keeping children safe. They are well

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This provision is good

trained and have a good knowledge of what to do if they are concerned about a child's health or welfare.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children have few opportunities to investigate, explore and learn about technology.  Staff do not always provide children, particularly the most able, with sufficient challenge.

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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

 develop opportunities for children to explore and experiment using a variety of technology  continue to support staff to fully extend the learning experiences available so that all children are challenged, particularly the most able.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records in learning and development, accident and incident books and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and learning throughout the nursery.  The inspector spoke to the manager about the services provided and the plans to improve the nursery further.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector spoke to parents and read letters of recommendation to gain parents' views on the service that they receive.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of child protection issues and of how to safeguard children. They carry out thorough risk assessments to ensure children's safety at all times. Staff teach children how to identify and manage risks for themselves. For example, children check that the slide is clear before sliding down. There is a strong team of staff who deploy themselves well and feel supported in their role. The manager uses supervision meetings effectively to help staff develop their knowledge and skills. She encourages them to undertake training to develop their practice and to ensure that the quality of teaching continues to improve. The manager monitors staff assessments of children's development to ensure they quickly address any gaps in learning, so outcomes for all children are good. Staff work closely with parents and professionals to support children's care and learning needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know their children well and have good knowledge of their next steps in learning. They use individual planning effectively to extend children's skills. They plan meaningful activities to motivate children to learn. Regular termly meetings enable parents and staff to share information about children's progress so that parents are able to support further their children's learning at home. Staff make good use of repetition and use gestures alongside spoken language to support children's understanding and help them to develop good communication skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The manager and staff have put in place a strong settling-in procedure to help them to coordinate children's care and liaise with parents. Children are confident, ready to learn, and complete tasks with growing levels of independence. For example, staff teach children how to put on and fasten coats with the effective use of picture cards. Staff support children to interact with friends. They provide opportunities for them to practise social skills. For instance, children shared out an assortment of balls and rolled them down guttering to see which travelled fastest. Children enthusiastically learn about a healthy diet and the need for exercise. They thoroughly enjoy daily opportunities to go outside in the fresh air, to explore and investigate the recently updated outside area.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. They are confident and active learners who are inquisitive and motivated to learn. They persevere with tasks and show pride in their achievements. Children negotiate turn taking well when they explore their ideas; for example when they prepare meals in the mud kitchen. They learn the skills needed for the next stage in their development and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY479948 Local authority Kent Inspection number 985781 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 60 Name of provider Abigail Packham Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07961074829

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Setting details

Kingsnorth Little Stars registered in 2014. The nursery operates from a village hall in Kingsnorth, Kent. The nursery opens Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3pm, during school term times. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 11 members of staff, eight of whom hold childcare qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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

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Setting details

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