Pink Elephants Nursery

Inspection of Pink Elephants Nursery Howard de Walden Centre, Bluett Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2UG

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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

Children are happy, confident and self-assured in this nursery. Staff provide them with a secure and well-organised environment. A wide range of interesting activities are attractively laid out, which ignite children's curiosity and invite them to play and learn. Children move freely around the room to explore and develop their own ideas. They delight in creating ramps and programming small robots to travel up the track. Children have lots of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They ride on wheeled toys and explore climbing equipment.

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The provision is good

Children have very close relationships with the caring staff team. Staff are positive role models and provide children with warm praise for their achievements. Children remember to say please and thank you and are kind to each other. For example, children hold out their arms, inviting their friends for a hug when they need one. They take their friends by the hand to include them in their chosen activities and games.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children behave well. They listen attentively to stories and join in with action songs and rhymes. Young children receive reassurance from their key person if they become tired or upset. This helps them to feel emotionally secure.

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need to do better?

n The nursery remained open during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. However, many children did not attend during this time. Staff kept in regular contact with children and their families. They shared recordings of 'story time' so children could watch them at home. Consequently, children returned to the nursery feeling relaxed and settled. n The manager has a clear vision for the nursery. She works closely with her staff team to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the setting. The system for staff supervision and performance monitoring supports staff in their professional development. Staff benefit from regular meetings with the manager to reflect on their practice and identify training needs to develop their knowledge and skills. n Leaders have high expectations of the staff, who provide an inclusive environment and value every child's uniqueness. Staff work in partnership with external agencies to make sure all children are well supported. Adaptations are

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need to do better?

made to benefit children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. As a result, children are making good progress to move on to the next stage in their learning. n Additional funding, such as the early years pupil premium, is used appropriately to meet children's needs. For example, the outside area has been significantly enhanced. Outdoor learning spaces and plentiful resources allow children to play

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need to do better?

18 August 2021 and explore. For example, children can now use the available 'natural garden' to explore their senses, hunt for insects and create with natural materials. n Staff understand what they want children to learn. They follow children's interests and support them in a way that is appropriate to their level of development. For example, children enjoy playing in the sand with a range of tools and resources. Staff provide children with water to add to the sand and help the children to identify how the sand has changed. Staff encourage children to develop their communication skills. For example, they clearly emphasise key words within their interactions, such as 'water, in' and 'mix' to enhance children's understanding and speaking skills. n Staff engage well with children, generally, and support children's language development well, overall. However, they do not always give children time to answer fully and express their reasoning.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan opportunities for children to develop good independence skills and manage their personal care. Children carefully cut fruit for their snacks, pour their own drinks and use the bathroom independently. They understand the importance of good handwashing. n Parents praise the quality of care their children receive. They appreciate how happy and confident their children are at the nursery. Staff use social media and private messaging to keep parents informed about what is happening at the nursery. However, they do not share information about children's assessments and next steps in learning with them effectively to help them understand how their children are developing. n Children have a positive attitude towards learning. For example, they enjoy playing with foam and show excitement as they find the hidden letters and show their friends.

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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 about 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 as they carefully climb the steps one by one to access the garden area. Children know to wait their turn and hold the handrail. The indoor and outdoor environment is safe and secure.

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should:

n support staff to develop their questioning skills to ensure they give children time

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should:

18 August 2021 and opportunity to answer their questions fully and express their reasoning n build on the information shared with parents to help them support children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2507597 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10198655 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

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inspection

Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Pink Elephants Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07801550649 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Pink Elephants Nursery registered in 2019 and is situated in Maidstone, Kent. The nursery opens on Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs eight members of staff. Of these, seven hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. 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

18 August 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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