Explorers Nursery

Explorers Nursery Priory Children's Centre, Cannon Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9SQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 August 2017 13 April 2015

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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 enhance children's communication and language skills effectively. For example, they clearly emphasise key words throughout their interactions and use clear visual signs to help babies' and children's understanding and speaking skills.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff use various ways to engage and involve parents effectively in the nursery and in their children's learning.  The manager and staff monitor effectively individual children's progress and that of different groups of children, to close any emerging gaps in their learning and development. For example, strategies to engage boys in early writing following their interests have been successfully implemented. All children make good progress in their learning and development.  Staff make the most of opportunities to enhance children's independence skills well. Children enjoy making choices. They prepare and serve up their own snack, as well as

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This provision is good

pouring their own drinks from a jug. Children are also encouraged to prepare themselves effectively for the outdoor environment, such as finding, putting on and fastening their jackets.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, opportunities are missed to challenge and extend children's knowledge to enhance their learning effectively.  Staff do not consistently make good use of opportunities to help all older children practise their early writing skills. ?

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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

 make the most of opportunities to challenge and extend on children's current knowledge to enhance their learning effectively  make the most of opportunities to help older children develop their early handwriting skills even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and children's activities, completed a joint observation with the manager and held discussions about children's progress and learning.  The inspector held conversations with the manager, staff and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability checks and their qualifications, and sampled relevant policies and procedures.  The inspector took into account the views of the parents during the inspection.  The inspector observed staff planning and the children's assessment records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager and senior staff work together and accurately evaluate the nursery. They actively include the views of parents and children to identify areas for further improvement. For example, arrival routines have been adjusted to enhance settling-in procedures, strengthen the partnerships with parents and the quality of information exchanged. The manager continually improves the quality of staff practice, for example, by organising relevant training and individual support to raise standards in teaching. For, instance, staff implemented small-group focused sessions following training to help children improve their communication and language skills. Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. They understand their role in child protection and know the reporting process to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff accurately assess individual children's development and plan effectively for their next steps in learning with parents. They skilfully use a wide range of resources well to engage children and babies at all times during the day. For instance, children enthusiastically and creatively explore bubbles with a range of tools. The experience is adapted well to effectively meet the age and ability range of all children taking part. For example, the younger children explore how the bubbles move through the air and enjoy blowing and popping them. The older children are encouraged to make connections to real-life experiences, such as snow. Mathematics is promoted well. For example, children consider and discuss the differences in size and quantity.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children and babies are happy and settled in their nursery environment, which is welcoming and organised well to enable them to follow their play choices. Staff build on their confidence and sense of belonging well. For example, they constantly praise children for their achievements. Children have a good understanding of routine and are well prepared and enthusiastic about what to expect next throughout the day. They are gaining a growing awareness of healthy lifestyles and are provided with a wide range of nutritious snacks and meals.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for the next stages of their learning and their move on to school. For example, children due to start school access focused group learning times to practise their good listening and attention skills. Children develop a good understanding of diversity beyond their immediate family. They enjoy exploring the environment, which is rich in positive cultural images and dual-language text, including books and role-play resources.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410681 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1094343 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person Thanet Early Years Project

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 April 2015 Telephone number 03000 422900

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reference number

Explorers Nursery is one of four nurseries run by the Thanet Early Years Project. It registered in 2010 and operates from the Priory Children's Centre in Ramsgate, Kent. It is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year. There are eight members of staff, all of whom have relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or above. This includes two staff members with level 4 qualifications and one member of staff who has early years professional status. The nursery receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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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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