Discovery Day Nursery

Discovery Day Nursery The Meadow Childrens Centre, Furfield Close, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9JR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 February 2017 15 March 2013

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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 have a secure understanding of their roles and responsibilities. For example, they ensure that there are appropriate staff-to-child ratios and that staff are deployed effectively across the nursery.  Children are happy and enjoy their time at nursery. They make good progress and any gaps in development are consistently closing.  The quality of teaching is strong. Staff extend children's learning further. For example, they use a wide range of questions to help children think for themselves. Staff use the information from their observations and assessments well to support children's next stage in development.  Staff provide children with clear guidance and explanations to help them manage their behaviour. For example, they encourage children to take turns, share and consider each other's feelings. Staff praise children's positive behaviour, such as for good listening.  Leaders and staff complete thorough risk assessments of their environment, which

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This provision is good

helps to identify and minimise any hazards to children's safety.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not make the most of opportunities to help children learn the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet.  Staff do not consistently provide children with opportunities to explore a wide range of technology during their play.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to fully develop their understanding of the importance of a healthy diet  build further opportunities for children to explore a wide range of technology.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a meeting with the manager.  The inspector observed the quality of staff's teaching and the impact this has on children's learning and development.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents and children during the inspection.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including staff suitability checks and qualifications.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Leaders successfully oversee their staff. For example, they provide regular meetings, observe their practice and identify relevant training. This helps to develop staff's knowledge and skills further. Leaders successfully monitor children's progress, including individual and groups of children. This assists them to identify any gaps in development early and provide appropriate support, including from professionals when needed. Leaders use additional funding effectively. For example, they provide resources and training to support children's specific needs. Leaders evaluate the nursery well. They use the views of parents and staff to help identify and target areas for improvement. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a sound understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They record any accidents or incidents that children have while in their care and share the information with parents.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide regular opportunities to involve parents in their children's progress. For example, they have daily discussions and share children's development folders. This helps parents to continue their children's learning at home. Staff successfully support children's learning and adapt activities to follow children's emerging ideas. For example, they pretended to make a birthday cake out of dough and then sang 'Happy Birthday' together. This helps to keep children's motivation and interest in their learning. Staff provide a wide range of materials, such as leaves, sticks, spaghetti and lentils, to help children develop their confidence in handling different textures. Staff successfully support children's communication and language skills. For example, staff use sign language, introduce new vocabulary, and talk to children about their wider experiences.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff get to know children and their families well before they start. For example, they complete home visits. This helps children form secure emotional attachments and positive relationships with staff. Children have opportunities to use and develop their home languages during their play. For example, staff use words and phrases in their home languages and dual language books. Staff provide daily opportunities for children to be physically active, such as using climbing and balancing equipment outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident to talk to adults and gain the skills they need to prepare them for their move to school. Children successfully develop their independence. For example, they cut fruits and vegetables and pour their drinks at snack time. Children build their literacy development well. For instance, they start to write their names and look at books. Children use their imagination, such as developing their ideas for role play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY335427 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1062002 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 93 Name of registered person Kent County Council

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 March 2013 Telephone number 01622 699900

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reference number

Discovery Day Nursery registered in 2006 and is located in Maidstone, Kent. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, term time only. It is run by the local authority and operates from The Meadow Children's Centre. The nursery employs nine members of staff, of whom eight hold appropriate childcare qualifications, including two who have early years professional status. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, 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

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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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