Kittens Day Nursery and Big Cats Out of School Club

Kittens Day Nursery and Big Cats Out of School Club Sussex Downs College, Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, BN21 2UF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 March 2018 17 June 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 are highly qualified and experienced. They create a very nurturing environment where children feel happy and secure. Staff get to know each child closely and build strong bonds early on. Children arrive ready to learn and make good progress from their starting points.  The manager and staff monitor the development of individual and groups of children closely and quickly identify any gaps in their learning. They effectively offer further support for children who need it, such as those who have special educational needs (SEN).  Staff work well with parents to help engage them in their children's learning. Parents regularly access children's detailed development files, and staff give parents ideas to support further learning at home. Parents greatly appreciate the individual support they receive.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not give children enough time to think and respond to questions asked to encourage their thinking skills fully.  Staff occasionally interrupt children's play and do not encourage them to consistently explore at their own pace.

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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

 offer more consistent support to give children the time they need to think and respond to questions  provide consistent opportunities for children to explore at their own pace to support their learning even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching practices and the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, children and parents.  The inspector read some of the nursery's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.  The inspector sampled children's development information and records.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and discussed children's play, learning and progress.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The ambitious manager is dedicated to meeting the needs of all children. She works closely with staff and parents to evaluate the provision and together, they make continual improvements. For example, they have recently introduced 'in the moment' planning, which is more responsive to children's current ideas and interests. The manager leads her enthusiastic team successfully and prioritises staff's continued professional development. She offers effective support and guidance through regular meetings and identifies helpful further training opportunities. For example, after recent training, staff have developed their understanding of children's additional needs and how to manage their feelings more effectively. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of safeguarding issues. They have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of child protection concerns and the actions to take to safeguard children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children very well and accurately assess their development. They provide a stimulating and engaging environment and support children's learning successfully. For example, after children decide they want to draw a spider, staff encourage them to find a book about spiders. Children then excitedly copy pictures from the book as they talk about how many legs and eyes their spiders need. Staff support children's interest in the natural world particularly well. For instance, during a group activity, children enthusiastically discuss what plants need to grow. They then put their knowledge into practise and enjoy planting and watering their own flowers.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are very good role models and consistently remind children of their high expectations. They are calm, positive and sensitive to children's needs and feelings. Children behave well and learn to manage their own emotions. They are kind, considerate and helpful and make positive early friendships. For example, children politely open their role play to others, asking who would like to join and offering them parts to play. Children independently manage their care needs and enjoy preparing their own healthy snacks. They are very active and make good use of the well-resourced garden, such as when competing in races or climbing challenging equipment.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager and motivated learners. Children who have SEN are catching up quickly and funded children benefit from well-tailored support. Children communicate confidently and enthusiastically talk about their home lives and recent experiences. They have a good understanding of numbers and compare sizes skilfully. Children are very creative and pay good attention to detail as they draw and mould dough. They develop the skills needed for early writing and recognise their names with ease. All children learn skills which prepare them well for the next stage in their learning and for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 508948 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1091158 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Sussex Downs College

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 June 2015 Telephone number 030 300 39555 Big Cats

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reference number

Kittens Day Nursery and Big Cats Out of School Club registered in 1989. It is open each weekday from 8.15am to 5.15pm for 40 weeks of the year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years old. There are four members of staff, all of whom hold relevant qualifications between level 6 and level 3.

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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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