St. Nicholas Nursery

St. Nicholas Nursery 18 Wiltie Gardens, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5AX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 December 2017 30 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

 Children thoroughly enjoy their day at nursery. They form close relationships with the staff that look after them. Staff are sensitive in supporting each child's personal needs.  The provider evaluates the nursery and has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement. The nursery has successfully addressed all recommendations set at the last inspection. For example, they have increased opportunities for children to use technology for a purpose.  Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are informed regularly about their children's achievements and receive good guidance to support their learning at home.  Safeguarding is a high priority. The provider and staff fully understand child protection issues and the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding children's welfare.  Children's behaviour is good and appropriate for their age. Staff praise children constantly for their achievements, which helps to support their emotional well-being

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not provide younger children with a sufficiently engaging environment that fully focuses on their interests and need to explore.  Staff do not consistently share information with other early years professionals, to help provide a comprehensive awareness of each child's learning needs.

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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

 review the organisation of the learning environment to help ensure the needs of younger children are fully met and they are able to explore and investigate  strengthen information sharing with other early years professionals and support consistency in children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including the children's assessment information, and safeguarding policies and procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector spoke to the provider about how she plans to develop the nursery to continue to improve outcomes for children.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at suitable times during the inspection.  The inspector observed staff interactions with the children indoors and outside.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider implements good safeguarding procedures that help to keep children safe and meet their care and well-being needs. For example, staff are deployed effectively throughout the day and constantly risk assess the environment and resources used. The thorough recruitment procedures ensure staff are suitably checked before they work with children. The provider accurately monitors and tracks the progress of all children. Any gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate action is taken. All staff are encouraged to develop their already good knowledge and skills. For instance, they have one-to-one support meetings to identify where additional support is needed. The provider has strong connections with local teachers to help ensure children and their families receive any extra assistance they might need when moving on to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make effective use of observations and assessments to help them identify children's next steps in learning and plan activities which encourage them to learn. They support the older children to develop good mathematical skills. For instance, children explore quantity and size as they fill and empty the various containers in the sand. Staff reinforce words with actions and objects, to help introduce new vocabulary, such as naming the stethoscope in the medical set. This positively extends children's communication and language development. Staff provide children with a range of opportunities to explore different media, such as using paints and leaves to decorate hedgehog shapes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are content and feel safe in the nursery. Staff help support children to identify hazards and manage risks for themselves. For example, they talk to them about how to use scissors safely. Children have daily opportunities to exercise, such as riding tricycles and scooters in in the garden and using large equipment at the local play park. They learn how to lead healthy lifestyles. For example, staff talk to them about choosing healthy foods and encourage children's independence as they peel their own fruit. Children have good opportunities to develop their interest in their community, such as walking to the local fire station to meet the fire fighters and learn about the fire engine.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points. They are confident, and kind to their friends. For instance, they take turns to turn the pages of a book. Children learn to respect and value the differences between themselves and others. They develop their physical skills and have opportunities to practise good control and coordination. For example, they enjoy throwing the balls to see how many skittles they can knock over. Children follow good hygiene routines and attend to their own personal care needs, relevant to their age and ability. They are acquiring the skills needed for the next stage in their learning and eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127616 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089366 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 3 Name of registered person Carol Florence Carlile

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 30 April 2015 Telephone number 01303 254578

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reference number

St Nicholas Nursery registered in 1996 and operates in Folkestone, Kent. The nursery is set on two levels with steps to access the main entrance and garden. The nursery is open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 3pm, during term time only. The provider employs two members of staff who hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The provider receives funding to provide free 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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