Busy Bees at Sevenoaks

Positive Steps Sevenoaks Positive Steps Childrens Day Nursery, 1 St. Johns Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3LR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 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 use a wide range of ways to provide parents with information and promote strong partnerships with them. This includes working successfully with them to promote learning at home, close any gaps in children's learning and meet individual care needs.  The management team and staff provide an extremely welcoming, safe and well- planned environment. There is an excellent range of stimulating resources and activities. Children have inspiring opportunities to explore and willingly try new things.  Children behave well and are kind towards one another. They are confident and independent. They learn from staff who are good role models and who effectively promote their physical and emotional well-being.  Children make good progress. Staff obtain important information from parents about what their children can already do when they start and use this information, alongside effective observations and assessments, to plan their learning well.

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This provision is good

 The management team uses accurate self-evaluation to make effective changes to improve the quality of the provision and children's experiences and outcomes.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always provide consistent opportunities for children to think for themselves and develop their communication skills even further during their play.  Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to encourage children to use their own ideas and imagination to develop their learning further.

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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

 provide more opportunities for children to think for themselves and develop their communication skills even further during their play  make better use of opportunities for children to use their own ideas and imagination to develop their play and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities throughout the nursery.  The inspector held discussions with the management team and spoke to children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of records and regulatory documentation, including attendance records, staff records and suitability checks, self-assessment information, risk assessments, policies and procedures, and children's progress records.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the nursery manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The management team and staff implement robust policies and procedures to safeguard children's welfare and know what to do if any concerns arise. They routinely complete effective risk assessments to identify and minimise possible hazards. For example, children wear helmets when using the bikes in the garden and staff supervise them effectively. Parents, children and staff contribute their views and are fully involved in evaluating activities and the provision. The management team monitors staff practices well, providing them with regular training, support and coaching to help improve outcomes for children. For example, training helped staff to complete and use high-quality observations to promote children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are knowledgeable about their roles and have high expectations for all children. They provide a good range of learning experiences that capture children's interests and curiosity, motivating them to learn. For example, toddlers sustain a high level of engagement as they mix paint and make marks on paper using natural objects. Likewise, older children show increasing concentration when cutting up different vegetables. Staff effectively monitor children's achievements and quickly address any gaps in learning to help all children make good progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have good relationships with staff, particularly their key persons who know them well. For example, babies enjoy warm, comforting cuddles, while older children eagerly share their thoughts and ideas. Children behave well. Staff are consistent in how they manage children's behaviour. For example, they use a tambourine and sand timer in the garden and in-between activities. This helps children to become familiar with the expectation that activities will be changing soon. Staff make the most of the outside play area. They provide a range of opportunities to engage, motivate and challenge children and support them well. For example, children develop their physical skills when using the climbing frame and learn more about the world around them when growing flowers and vegetables in the garden.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children achieve well from their starting points, preparing them well for the next stage of their learning, including school. Children speak confidently and eagerly contribute ideas about their play and the nursery. For instance, children take part in a children's meeting where they talk about their interests and provide suggestions for future activities. Children are inquisitive and eager to learn.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477986 Local authority Kent Inspection number 974921 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 1 - 5 Total number of places 92 Number of children on roll 130 Name of registered person Positive Steps Childrens Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01732 450466

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reference number

Positive Steps registered in 2014. It is situated in Sevenoaks, Kent. The nursery is registered for 92 children. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. It operates all year round, except on bank holidays, between the hours of 7.30am and 6.15pm from Monday to Friday. There are 27 staff and, of these, 19 hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. This includes one staff member who holds qualified teacher status, one who holds a qualification at level 6 and one who holds a qualification at level 4.

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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

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reference number

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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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