Kids 1st - Hexham

Kids 1st - Hexham Maidens Walk, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1DR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 May 2016 13 July 2015

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Leaders and managers have a clear vision to work together with parents, other professionals and other settings children attend. Parents are highly valued and integral to the nursery's daily operations. Leaders, managers and staff are passionate about delivering high-quality care and learning for children.  The well qualified and experienced staff team plans and provides a wealth of innovative, exciting and challenging activities. Rigorous assessments and an excellent knowledge of children's interests enable staff to precisely match activities with children's abilities. This contributes to children making excellent progress.  The leaders and managers constantly evaluate the provision, actively seek out fresh challenges and implement new ideas with confidence. They continuously consult with parents, children and staff, using a wide variety of methods in order to obtain feedback.  The managers and staff are highly motivated and welcome all opportunities to improve

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This provision is outstanding

their teaching skills through continuous professional development opportunities. Supervision meetings enable staff to share concerns and identify their training needs. Regular audits help to ensure that staff training is relevant and appropriate so that it has the biggest impact on outcomes for children.  Staff recruitment is extremely robust. Rigorous induction procedures and continuous monitoring of staff practice help to maintain the excellent quality of teaching and care. Safeguarding children takes high priority and is embedded through all policies, procedures and practice.  Staff are excellent role models in helping children to develop good manners, social skills, independence and understanding of healthy practices. Children's emotional well- being is highly prioritised, especially during times of change. They are exceptionally well prepared, both physically and emotionally, for their next stage in learning.

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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

 seek further ways of enhancing the excellent systems for tracking and monitoring children's learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about this provider.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the area manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation, risk assessments, supervision and performance management records and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector held discussions with staff and looked at observations, planning and children's progress files.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders and managers consistently ensure that all policies and procedures are strictly adhered to. They swiftly address any areas that need attending to and performance management is rigorous. Staff have an excellent understanding of what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff ratios are consistently maintained and risk assessments are used exceptionally well to minimise hazards to children. For example, staff assess play areas before and after use to ensure that toys and equipment are in good working order and pose no risk to children. Children's progress in their learning and development is meticulously monitored. Incisive evaluation of the present methods used has led to leaders and managers recognising that monitoring could be even more effective.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff have extremely high expectations of children's abilities, including those with special educational needs. They are motivational and inspire children to learn through exciting and imaginative experiences. Staff observe children closely and consistently adapt activities to suit their emerging needs and interests. Staff respond immediately to babies showing a desire to explore and investigate. They provide a rich homely environment with a range of sensory experiences that are provided to enhance children's learning. Younger children become engrossed in expressing themselves and developing their own ideas through art and craft activities. Older children are transfixed during storytelling sessions. They listen intently as staff use different accents and changes in pitch to excite and inspire them. Highly skilled staff encourage children's creative thinking, communication and language exceptionally well.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children's independence is promoted exceedingly well and children thrive in the nursery. From the outset, staff encourage and support children to do things for themselves. Babies and younger children are encouraged to feed themselves as soon as they are ready. Older children take responsibility for setting tables and clearing away after meals. Children are enormously self-reliant and self-assured. Hygiene standards are exemplary. Children receive freshly cooked, nutritious meals, prepared and served by an experienced chef. Children benefit well from inspiring outdoor experiences that promote imagination, ignite curiosity and extend their learning. Excellent strategies are used to promote positive behaviour and children's behaviour is exceptional.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

All children make excellent progress from where they start in their learning, including those who receive funded early education. They are exceptionally well prepared for school. Children are confident communicators and resourceful and resilient learners. They learn to solve problems and develop new and better ways of doing things. Opportunities to learn French and take part in dance lessons successfully widens the scope of their learning. Children are highly motivated and eager to take part in all activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY337358 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 1052130 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 0 - 4 Total number of places 110 Number of children on roll 132 Name of registered person Kids First Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 July 2015 Telephone number 01434 605629

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reference number

Kids 1st - Hexham was registered in 2006. The nursery employs 27 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs.

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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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