Kids 1st - Darlington

Inspection of Kids 1st - Darlington Alderman Leach Drive, Darlington, County Durham DL2 2GF

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this exceptional setting. They are provided with a rich, stimulating learning environment which excites and motivates them. Children behave extremely well as they play alongside each other. Older children know and understand the rules of the setting. For example, they remind each other to wear safety helmets when riding on bicycles. Staff have very high expectations of children and support their development by encouraging them to always attempt new things and develop a 'can-do' attitude to learning. For example, staff challenge children to move water from one area to another. Children relish the opportunity to use their thinking skills as they work out how to complete the task. Children delight in sharing their experiences from home. This is demonstrated as young children act out a bus journey they have experienced. Staff enthuse and motivate children by encouraging their imaginative skills. Children relish sitting on the seats and singing

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The provision is outstanding

'The wheels on the bus'. Staff expertly ask questions and weave in new vocabulary such as 'conductor'. This helps to develop children's communication skills. Staff place a very high priority on children's emotional development. Babies develop incredibly close and trusting relationships with the extremely caring and attentive staff.

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need to do better?

n Partnership working with parents is outstanding and a key strength of the setting. The open-door policy operated for parents works extremely well. Parents are involved in children's initial assessments with the key person, ensuring starting points for the child's learning are accurate. Furthermore, detailed information about children's achievements is shared regularly with parents, ensuring they are fully informed and involved in their child's learning. Parents speak extremely highly of the staff team and the superb service they receive. n Children's understanding of diversity and difference is superbly promoted as they paint and draw self-portraits. Staff discuss what makes them special and unique. Furthermore, they celebrate festivals and special events from around the world and access resources that reflect positive images of people from different cultures. This ensures that children learn to value aspects of their own lives and

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need to do better?

the diverse society in which they live. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely well. Staff have established highly effective partnership working with other professionals, such as health visitors and local schools. They share a wealth of invaluable information, which helps to provide a highly consistent approach to children's care and learning. Additional funding is used well to support vulnerable children. n The quality of teaching is exceptional. The well-qualified staff have a superb

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need to do better?

17 September 2019 understanding of how young children learn. They plan highly stimulating activities in a safe, vibrant and highly challenging learning environment. Staff use every opportunity to extend and support children's language skills. For example, children talk enthusiastically as they explore vegetables and discuss growth and decay. n The members of the leadership team are inspirational. They are passionate and committed in their drive to continuously improve the setting. The manager has an exceptional knowledge of her role and individual responsibilities. A high emphasis is placed on staff well-being. Regular supervisions, high-quality coaching and access to counselling services ensure that the staff are supported extraordinarily well. n Children benefit from superbly planned adult-led activities that encourage physical development. For example, children develop their small-muscle skills as they dig for potatoes and use their large muscles as they play hopscotch in the

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need to do better?

garden. Young children have incredible fun while enjoying sensory experiences with paint or making marks in the sand and flour. n Children behaviour is exemplary. They demonstrate positive behaviour at all times and show exceptionally high levels of cooperation and respect for one another. Children thrive on the positive praise and encouragement from staff. Older children are able to resolve their own conflicts and negotiate a solution to their problems. Children are keen to have a go and understand when to take risks and when to stand back. They embrace challenge and are thrilled by their efforts.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

As the designated lead for safeguarding, the manager has a first-rate understanding of her role. She is confident of procedures to follow in the event an allegation being made against herself or a member of her team. All staff have an exemplary understanding of safeguarding procedures and in-depth knowledge of how to report concerns about children's welfare. Staff also demonstrate an excellent knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, including the 'Prevent' duty legislation. Superb recruitment and vetting procedures are in place. New staff and students complete a robust induction process to help ensure that they are suitable to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY364039 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10117652 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 108 Number of children on roll 170 Name of registered person Kids First Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01325 380199 Date of previous inspection 2 March 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Kids 1st - Darlington registered in 2007. The nursery employs 32 members of childcare staff. Of these, 31 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including two with early years professional status and one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views through written feedback. n The inspectors held a meeting with the nursery manager. They looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspectors observed and evaluated a number of activities with the nursery manager. n The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out a learning walk with the manager. They discussed the learning environment and how the curriculum is organised.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

17 September 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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