St Michaels Day Nursery Ltd

St Michaels Day Nursery Ltd 1a Hills Terrace, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6PU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 May 2016 7 January 2016

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Staff do not consistently use their knowledge of what children know and can do, to build on their learning. They do not ensure that the planned activities that children participate in help them to make the best possible progress from their starting points. Staff do not always support children's freely chosen play well enough to help them extend their learning.  Managers have not established fully effective partnerships with other settings that children attend, to share information and provide a consistent approach to supporting children's learning.  Children's play is regularly interrupted, such as when they are asked to take part in activities organised by staff. This disrupts the flow of children's play and learning.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff have a good understanding of child protection issues. They know how to refer any concerns relating to children's welfare, including who to contact. This helps them to take appropriate action in the event of concerns arising about children's welfare.  Supportive relationships with caring staff help children to develop positive self-esteem and confidence. Staff are good role models and give praise and encouragement to children. Children show kindness towards others, such as sharing toys and taking turns.  Staff help children to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals and participate in regular physical activity.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 improve staff's understanding of how to use their knowledge of what children know and can do, to consistently interact with children and support their learning effectively during their self- chosen play and planned activities, to help them make good progress. 16/07/2016

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 strengthen partnerships with other settings that children attend to promote a shared approach to each child's learning and development  minimise interruptions to children's play to support their continuous learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors.  The inspector had discussions with managers, staff, parents and children.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers.  The inspector and manager completed a joint observation together.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records and evidence of staff suitability checks.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. Children play in a safe environment where staff minimise possible risks. For example, to ensure children have regular fresh air and outdoor activities, there are thorough procedures to keep them safe on outings. Managers follow effective procedures to check and monitor staff's suitability to protect children's welfare securely. A newly implemented system helps the manager and staff to monitor children's progress to help identify gaps in their learning. The manager observes staff practice and provides some support to help them develop their teaching skills. However, this is not fully effective to ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to support children's learning consistently. Staff complete relevant training and this is beginning to influence their practice positively. The managers and staff show a commitment to improving, and have taken some suitable steps to develop the quality of the provision. For example, they have

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

visited other settings to help them target improvements.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff organise and lead a large proportion of activities for children. However, these activities sometimes lack focus and do not always support children's learning. Children lose interest and do not engage in their learning well enough. They have opportunities to make choices about their play, such as from toys that reflect the different areas of learning. However, staff do not always support children's self-chosen play to extend their learning. Staff support children's mathematical development. For example, they introduce some mathematical language when children play with building bricks, which they sort according to size, colour and amount. Parents are informed about their children's learning and encouraged to participate, such as sharing items from home linked to topics. Children with specific learning needs are supported well overall. For example, staff work closely with professionals involved in their care to provide a consistent approach.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children take care of their personal needs, such as washing their hands and helping themselves to drinks of water. Key persons work closely with parents to agree strategies that help children to manage their behaviour and develop an understanding of how their actions affect others. Staff build children's awareness of safety. For example, they give clear explanations about potential hazards, such as tripping over toys.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Not all children make the best possible progress from their starting points. Children are not always motivated to learn and at times lose concentration and interest. However, they develop some skills ready for the next stage in their learning, including school. For example, children link sounds to letters successfully and learn to recognise their names.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365876 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1036540 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person St. Michael's Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 January 2016 Telephone number 01634 409 883

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reference number

St Michael's Day Nursery Limited registered in 2008. It is privately owned and operates from a former school building in Chatham, Kent. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year. It also offers care before and after school and during school holidays for children of school age. There are nine members of staff. Of these, seven hold recognised early years qualifications. The nursery provides free early education for children aged three and four years.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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reference number

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

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