Snowden Hill Nursery

Snowden Hill Nursery Snowden Hill, Gravesend, DA11 9AE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 September 2016 9 November 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Leaders and managers have made significant improvements to the provision since the last inspection. For example, additional well-qualified staff are now in place and the monitoring of staff practice and educational programmes is working effectively.  The management team encourages staff to continue to develop their skills. For example, staff complete training on how to manage children's behaviour, and they use individual and team meetings to help develop a consistent approach. Children behave well.  Staff form strong partnerships with parents and keep them well informed about their children's progress. For example, staff give parents daily feedback about their children's day and offer them support to help them continue their learning at home.  Partnerships with other professionals, such as local organisations, specialists and staff at schools, are good. They all work very well together to help meet children's individual

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not yet consistently use the information from their observations and assessments to help them more precisely identify and plan for children's next steps in learning.  Staff do not always fully encourage children's awareness and understanding of number recognition, weight and quantity during activities, to help consistently build on their understanding of mathematical ideas.

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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 further the use of ongoing observation and assessment to gain the most precise picture of children's individual learning and development  make greater use of opportunities to build on children's awareness of mathematical ideas during activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact of this on children's learning.  The inspector completed joint observations with the provider and discussed the outcomes for children with her.  The inspector held a meeting with the managers. She looked at relevant documentation, such as children's records, self-evaluation, policies and procedures, and evidence of the suitability of staff working at the nursery.  The inspector talked with a few members of staff about some of the procedures at the setting, for example, those relating to safeguarding and behaviour management.  The inspector took account of the views of a selection of parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team gives good attention to safeguarding children and child protection. For example, suitability checks are completed to help ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. All staff keep their skills up to date, such as through attending training sessions, including those relating to safeguarding and behaviour management. This knowledge helps them identify and support children who may be at risk from harm. Management coaches staff effectively and all required records and documents, such as accident records, are completed as required and kept readily available. Staff identify and minimise potential risks to help ensure that the premises are safe and secure for children to use. Managers, staff, children and parents all contribute their views to the self-evaluation process. This helps to identify where improvements to the setting and staff practice can be made.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Parents contribute to the initial assessments as their children start at the nursery. This helps staff to plan activities and experiences that include children's interests and needs. Management and staff identify gaps in children's learning and implement plans to help them close these. Staff interact effectively with children as they play. They talk about what is happening during activities and listen patiently to children's responses. There are good opportunities for children of all ages to bake simple dishes, such as pizza. They learn how to mix and shape dough and explore the different tastes, before and after cooking. Staff provide a wide range of opportunities for children to extend their early literacy skills, such as practising their writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff work tirelessly to help ensure all children are included. They provide a wide range of resources and activities outdoors for children. For example, children can take risks as they climb up the slide or use the mud kitchen, and use tools to gather natural materials to mix together. Staff help children learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy fresh air, physical exercise and healthy, balanced meals and snacks. Children, even younger ones, serve their own food and know how to use the 'Tidy Station' when clearing away. Staff respond in a positive and sensitive manner and children grow in confidence.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are making good progress in their learning. Children learn to be independent, capable and self-assured. They listen to instructions and respond appropriately. They show a strong sense of belonging and learn to make friends with others. Children enjoy singing and stories, and staff use these activities to help develop their language and communication skills well. Children gain the skills they need for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484166 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1032872 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 - 8 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Educatio Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 November 2015 Telephone number 01322624301

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reference number

Snowden Hill Nursery, known formerly as Meadows Nursery, registered in 2014. It is owned by a limited company, Educatio Ltd. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round with the exception of bank holidays. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 18 staff; of these, one holds a qualification at level 5, one is qualified to level 4, 10 hold a qualification at level 3, and three hold a qualification at level 2.

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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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