The Blue Door Nursery

Inspection of The Blue Door Nursery St. Johns Church Hall, Wilmington Road, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 2EH

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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 in this busy nursery. The nursery owner and manager work tirelessly to ensure children have an exceptional start to their learning. Teaching across the nursery is outstanding. Staff plan for every child's unique learning needs precisely and meticulously. Each activity is thoughtfully planned to take full account of children's interests, abilities and individual learning styles. This means every child, including those who need some extra help, make rapid progress in their learning and development.

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The provision is outstanding

All staff are exceptionally dedicated to the children they look after. Relationships between children and staff are extremely close. Babies hold out their arms when they want to be picked up. Staff immediately respond, scooping them up for cuddles and comfort. Toddlers develop their individual characters and rapidly grow in confidence. Staff know them so well and allow them to make independent choices. Toddlers quickly become inquisitive learners, keen to explore and eager to develop new skills in a safe, happy and secure environment.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are thoroughly prepared for starting school. They converse easily with their friends and the staff. Children ask thoughtful questions and show concern and respect for others. Their language and communication skills are excellent. Highly effective teaching means older children have the confidence to ask questions and follow instructions easily. These skills support their future learning exceptionally well. Children's behaviour is exemplary.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a relentless approach towards continually improving the nursery and developing the staff team. Less experienced staff benefit greatly from the expertise and experience of more senior staff. The extensive programme of training, staff support and supervision means every staff member frequently reflects on their practice and seeks out further ways to improve. This means the quality of teaching is consistently of the highest quality. n Children are exceptionally happy. They arrive at nursery with excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm. Parents confirm how happy their children are, with many commenting that their children want to come to nursery on days they do not usually attend. Several parents described the nursery as 'a lifesaver' to them. n Funding is used extremely well for children who need extra help. Leaders assess the children's needs precisely. They invest carefully in relevant training and

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need to do better?

support for staff and acquire additional resources to support each child's learning needs. This personalised programme of support means children make rapid progress and any gaps in their learning quickly close.

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need to do better?

30 January 2020 n Extensive improvements have been made to the outside area. Staff have worked hard to re-design the area to extend children's learning and play opportunities. Staff have completed relevant training in helping children to take risks in their play. This means children learn to climb low-level trees confidently and negotiate age-appropriate climbing walls safely. n Children learn about the wider world as part of the extensive curriculum. They confidently respect the similarities and differences between their own families and others, and learn to be respectful and caring towards their friends. Older children are particularly kind and caring towards the younger children in the nursery. For example, a toddler showed real compassion when he reached through the gate to the baby area when he heard a baby crying. He gently stroked her head to calm her as she was being comforted by staff. n The support for children's physical development and well-being is excellent. Staff

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need to do better?

have recently introduced a programme of yoga specifically for younger children. Although in its early stages, staff have reported seeing an immediate change in children's ability to stay calm and manage their feelings better. n The nursery is exceptionally clean and stringent arrangements are in place to promote children's healthy development. Children thoroughly enjoy nutritious, wholesome meals and snacks and are beginning to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Mealtimes are a very sociable time within the nursery. Older children are prepared very well for managing these routines when they start school. For example, learning to use cutlery competently, pouring drinks and preparing snacks. n Staff successfully extend children's learning into the wider community. For example, children enjoy annual visits from the police and fire service to learn about the emergency services. Excellent links have been established with a

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need to do better?

nearby residential care home. Children visit regularly and happily play games and sing songs with their elderly friends. This successfully helps children to learn about the needs of others.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The safety and well-being of children are a shared priority of all staff. Every precaution is taken to minimise risk and help to keep children safe. Pre-school children learn to identify possible hazards. For example, daily checks completed by the 'risk rangers' mean the garden is scrupulously checked by the children before their friends play outside. Staff have an exceptional knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. They know exactly what to do if they have any concerns about a child's safety and well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY284004 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10128590 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 61 Number of children on roll 118 Name of registered person Dellsop Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01323 421821 Date of previous inspection 28 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Blue Door Nursery registered in 2004 and is located in Seaford, East Sussex. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. A team of 20 staff works with the children. Of these, two are qualified teachers, one is qualified to degree level, one has a foundation degree, eight are qualified to level 3 and 4, and three are qualified to level 2. Funding is accepted for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching in all areas of the nursery, both inside and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The nursery owner and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity taking place outside. n A tour of all areas of the nursery was completed to assess how well staff plan the early years curriculum and keep children safe. n Discussions took place with staff, children and parents at convenient times during the day.

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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

30 January 2020 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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