Happy Feet Nursery

Inspection of Happy Feet Nursery The Ark Christian Centre, The Hamlets, Noahs Ark Road, Dover CT17 0DD

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is good

The friendly and caring staff team create a family atmosphere, which helps children to settle quickly. Children feel safe and secure and thrive in this nursery. They are confident, self-assured and show high levels of independence. For example, younger children keep themselves busy, independently choosing their learning and asking adults for support when they need it. Older children talk confidently and use a good range of vocabulary in their everyday speech. Children learn a wide range of skills, which prepares them well for school.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages develop a love of reading and enjoy a wide range of books. They select books independently, and listen to staff as they enthusiastically read stories. Children join in with familiar words and phrases, and they enjoy action songs and rhymes.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good and staff act as good role models. They encourage good manners, and children learn how to cooperate with each other and share resources. Children are kind and considerate. Older children in the nursery room are careful as they support their peers, who are learning to balance and coordinate. They help each other, for example when they take their friend's lunch box to the table and find them a chair to sit together.

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need to do better?

n Staff join in with children as they play. They ask good quality questions and engage in conversations with the children. However, on occasions, staff do not fully consider the number of children who would like to take part in activities. For example, during the inspection, children initially show enthusiasm to participate in sand play. However, they had to wait a long time and were unclear when it would be their turn. This results in some children becoming distracted and losing interest. n Overall, staff support children's learning well. They make ongoing assessments of children's achievements and understand what they need to learn next. Staff plan activities which are relevant to children's ages and stages of development and their interests. This helps motivate the children in their learning. However, on occasions, staff do not plan and manage group activities fully effectively. For example, some children become distracted by their friends playing with other

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need to do better?

resources nearby and do not engage as well as they could. n Parents state they are extremely happy with the service they receive. They are impressed by the progress their children make in their development. They value the daily feedback they receive about their child's day and achievements. Parents report they use the information provided to keep up to date about their children's development and to support children's learning at home.

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need to do better?

19 July 2021 n Staff place a clear priority on supporting children's communication and language development, including those who speak English as an additional language. Staff skilfully reinforce new words and concepts during their interactions. The daily routine includes plenty of opportunities for children to talk, listen, sing and enjoy stories. Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well to be fully included in the nursery routines and activities . n Outdoor learning spaces and plentiful resources allow children to play and explore with curious minds. For example, children use the available natural materials to build hotels for the snails they have found. They are excited about putting food out for the birds and then watching and identifying different bird species through binoculars. n Staff understand the importance of promoting children's physical development.

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need to do better?

They provide opportunities outdoors for children to plan and make an obstacle course from planks and tyres. Children develop their physical skills as they learn to balance and negotiate the course. n The manager and staff team use reflection effectively to identify areas for improvement. The manager carries out regular observations of staff and observes their teaching practice. Staff receive regular training to support their ongoing development. Since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began, there has been an emphasis on staff well-being. Staff explain the manager has been very approachable, supportive and perceptive about their well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They receive regular training on safeguarding and know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Staff understand the procedures to follow should an allegation be made against another staff member. There are robust procedures to ensure the suitability of all staff. Children learn about their own safety, for example, they assess the strength and safety of the obstacle course they have created before they use it. The indoor and outdoor environment is safe and secure.

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should:

n support staff to strengthen the management of group play, to ensure that all children can actively join in and have a go n develop staff's planning of group times to fully engage all children who take part and meet their learning needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY556968 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10175199 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person Happy Feet Nursery CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01304 242720 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Happy Feet Pre-School registered in 1994 and re-registered as Happy Feet Nursery in 2018. It operates from the Ark Christian Centre in Dover, Kent. The provider receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two-, three- and four-years-old. The pre-school opens five days a week, term time only, from 8.40am to 3.30pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager to find out about the curriculum in the setting, and held a short meeting with the manager to discuss safeguarding procedures, staff recruitment and nursery development. n At appropriate times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector reviewed documentation relating to the suitability and qualifications of staff working in the nursery, including the number of staff with a current first-aid qualification.

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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

19 July 2021 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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