Alpha Kindergarten School

Alpha Kindergarten School 66 Fletton Avenue, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 8AU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 May 2017 3 April 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

 Children are confident in the nursery and have formed close bonds with staff. They show good familiarity with daily routines. The eldest children enjoy the responsibility of completing small tasks as they help set the tables for lunch and wash-up together.  Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are quickly identified. Partnership working with other professionals is effective in helping to meet individual children's needs.  Relationships with parents are strong and support a shared approach to children's learning. Parents have daily opportunities to view photographs and observations of their children as they play. Parents are very positive about the nursery.  Managers lead and manage the nursery very well. They consistently evaluate all aspects of the nursery and take into consideration staff's, parents' and children's views. Actions for development are targeted firmly on providing the very best care and

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions some children's ability to develop their communication and language skills in the outdoor area are missed by staff as noise levels are often too elevated.  Although staff encourage children of all ages to access the outdoor area frequently it quickly becomes crowded, which means that there is not always sufficient room to support more rigorous physical activity.

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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

 enhance opportunities for staff to support communication and language development for those children who prefer to learn outside  ensure there is sufficient space and regular opportunities outdoors for children who prefer to explore more vigorous activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspectors spoke to staff and children during the inspection.  The inspectors completed joint observations with both the nursery managers.  The inspectors held a meeting with the nursery managers. They looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate a very good understanding of their responsibility to protect children in their care. They know how to report their concerns. Recruitment of staff is robust and their ongoing suitability is regularly checked. Vigorous monitoring of staff practice helps the managers to analyse the impact of teaching on the progress of both individual and different groups of children. Regular supervision meetings help to support the professional development of staff. They attend training that will improve their knowledge and be beneficial to children in their care. Information about children's development is shared with the many schools they will attend to support the next move in their education.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Teaching is good. Staff make accurate assessments of children as they play. They share their progress with parents and include them in the children's learning. A book lending scheme allows children to read their favourite stories with their parents at home. Children show excitement for a planned trip to a farm. They engage enthusiastically in a range of activities to support their understanding of the animals and the equipment they might see and feel when they are there. They explore the texture of soil and hay with their hands in role play. Older children are encouraged to work together and think imaginatively. For example, they think about what they could make with boxes and pieces of cardboard.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are kind and caring. They speak to babies in calm voices and often sing to soothe and settle them. Staff are very knowledgeable regarding children's family backgrounds and individual needs. The nursery is very busy and mixed ages of children spend lots of time together in play forming close friendships. Behaviour is good and older children quickly learn to solve their own conflicts. For example, when they hurt their friends by accident. Children's health benefits from the variety of healthy, home-cooked meals and snacks made with fresh produce. Through activities and discussions children gain a good understanding of foods that are good for them. Regular risk assessments of the premises help to identify and reduce hazards.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those for whom the setting receives additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children show an interest in learning and are inquisitive. They demonstrate good literacy and mathematic skills in preparation for school. They count well and problem solve in activities, such as how many chairs they need for the amount of spaces around the lunch tables. Older children listen well and are able to follow instructions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY284159 Local authority Peterborough Inspection number 1064569 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 - 5 Total number of places 113 Number of children on roll 192 Name of registered person Alpha Kindergarten Schools Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 3 April 2013 Telephone number 01733 311080

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reference number

Alpha Kindergarten School registered in 2004. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 21 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to 6, including the operations manager who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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