Clocktower Childcare Ltd

Clocktower Childcare Ltd Snodland CP School, Roberts Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5HL

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Inspection date 20 September 2018 Previous inspection date 6 September 2017

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

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The provision is outstanding

n The highly effective and extremely dedicated management team has explored different approaches to support children's learning better. It recently changed the nursery environment into one which totally captures the curiosity of every child. It has chosen natural, recycled and second-hand resources, rather than items made of plastic to equip the setting. This has proved to be highly successful in capturing children's interest and has allowed them to explore, investigate and extend their learning impressively. n The staff use the new environment highly effectively. They provide exciting and challenging activities based on children's development needs and interests. Children thoroughly enjoy learning and make excellent progress from their starting points. n The quality of teaching is of a high standard and is consistently very strong. For example, the well-qualified staff use skilful questioning to extend children's learning,

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The provision is outstanding

and encourage problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. n Children are happy and settle quickly. They benefit greatly from a rich variety of activities, resources and experiences. Children develop extremely positive attitudes to learning, showing high levels of self-awareness and independence. They make choices in their play very confidently. n All children make excellent progress in their development, including children who receive additional funding, those who have special education needs and those learning English as an additional language. The management team and staff have high expectations for children. The assessment process is excellent and staff provide extensive support, working closely with parents and other agencies, to help narrow any gaps in children's learning. n Both indoor and outdoor environments are exceptionally well organised and have been developed very effectively to cover all areas of learning. Children are inspired to

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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

n review further the organisation of changes in routine to help ensure all children remain purposefully engaged and occupied.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed activities and the impact of teaching on children's learning in the indoor and outdoor areas. n The inspector sampled records. She discussed planning and assessment, and children's welfare with key persons and the management team. n The inspector checked a range of documents, including policies and procedures, staff records and qualification information. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n The inspector discussed self-evaluation and observations of children's play, learning and progress with the management team.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Safeguarding is effective. The staff have an excellent and up-to-date knowledge of how to keep children safe and how to report concerns about their welfare. Staff are meticulous in risk assessing the environments children use, so children can play in safety. The providers have established exceptional partnerships with parents, agencies and other settings, to support all children in their development. The providers support staff extremely well to improve their skills and knowledge. For example, they are acutely aware of the benefits of professional development and continually enable staff to access training. The providers are extremely enthusiastic and continuously strive for further improvements. They use rigorous evaluations, gathering the views of parents, children and staff, to identify and target areas for positive change. For instance, the providers have identified the need to enhance the practice at lunch and collection times, to ensure

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

children all remain meaningfully occupied.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Teaching is consistently of a very high standard. Staff know the children exceptionally well. Home visits before children start have proved invaluable in gaining additional information. Staff use precise observations and assessments to identify and target swiftly any gaps in learning. The variety of exciting and intriguing resources and equipment, indoors and outdoors, motivates children to choose where to explore and investigate further. For example, cupboards and shelves contain real-life items to arouse children's curiosity, and inspire them to explore and discover what is hidden. Children relish the opportunity to make and mould their own play dough. Their mathematical and observational skills are extremely good. For example, as they search for insects in the outdoor area, children discuss their size and shape carefully, before putting them back where they found them. This helps develop their communication skills and understanding

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children have high levels of self-confidence and independence. Staff encourage them to make decisions in their learning, such as how to find out additional information to further their knowledge. Children are taught about healthy eating and living, such as through discussions and looking at books. Every day, the children and staff walk a 'daily mile' together. This provides children with regular exercise and also the opportunity to explore nature in their local community further. The highly effective key-person system is used to support children's emotional development extremely well and sensitively. Staff consistently encourage children to be kind and respect each other. Staff are excellent role models and children's behaviour is exemplary.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children show excellent progress from their starting points and baseline assessments. They are extremely motivated to learn and explore. Children's social skills, communication and exploratory skills are exceptionally good. They display high levels of self-esteem and confidence. Children acquire important skills to prepare them for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY467853 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10078399 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register

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Day care type

Age range of children 2 - 10 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 136 Name of registered person Clocktower Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 September 2017 Telephone number 01634 240530

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reference number

Clocktower Childcare Ltd registered in 2013. It is located in Snodland, Kent. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm during term time, and from 9am until 3pm in school holidays. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 17 members of staff, 13 of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 or above, including two members qualified at level 4.

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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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procedures set out in the guidance Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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