Little Chestnuts Day Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Little Chestnuts Day Nursery and Preschool Chestnuts Combined School, St. Georges Road, Bletchley, MILTON KEYNES MK3 5EN

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

There is an excellent, highly well-thought-out curriculum in place for children. Children learn through experiencing the natural environment. All staff know the intentions of the curriculum and, as a result, their teaching continually builds on what children already know and can do. Staff demonstrate to children, helping them to gain the skills that they need to do things for themselves. Babies enjoy an enticing and inspiring curriculum that ignites their senses. Staff provide edible messy play, where children immerse themselves in exploring activities that are safe for them to investigate using their mouths. Communication between staff and children is considerate and respectful. Children display high levels of emotional security. All children are welcome and included in the nursery, and staff ensure that all opportunities are available for all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make particularly excellent progress. They flourish in the

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The provision is outstanding

care of the nursery where children interact with them with respect and understanding.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. They demonstrate that they can regulate their behaviour to show awareness and consideration for others. For example, while waiting for their turn, children hop on one leg as they distract themselves during the wait. Children take responsibility. Staff involve them in being garden spies, where they look for any potential hazards in the garden. This helps children to learn to identify risks for themselves.

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need to do better?

n Teaching is consistently of high quality throughout the nursery. All staff share the vision for children to learn through the natural world. They plan activities with this in mind, ensuring even the youngest children learn through natural resources and playing outdoors. Staff have a depth of knowledge about all children they care for. Through accurate assessments, staff identify precisely how they can support children to make the very best progress. n Staff know children are capable communicators and ensure that they speak with children in a mature and fluent manner. They introduce children to new words, explaining any terms children are unfamiliar with. Staff pause, giving children chance to think and respond. These unhurried and meaningful conversations help children to become highly confident in talking as they busily play and learn. n Key-person relationships are exceptionally strong. Staff greet children in the

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need to do better?

morning as they arrive and spend time talking with parents. This valuable interaction at the beginning of the day helps staff to find out about children's sleep and well-being, so they can expertly meet children's needs. n Staff are alert to the risk of tooth decay in young children. There are extensive programmes in place to help to promote children's good oral hygiene. Children

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need to do better?

13 October 2021 enjoy healthy and nutritious meals. Staff support children to learn about healthy lifestyles, for example through taking part in yoga sessions, having fresh air and exercise and making healthy eating choices. n In the home corner, children use real-life foods. They explore these in the role play area as they imaginatively cook. To ensure that food is not wasted and to promote children's learning further, used food is given feed pigs at a local sanctuary. n Partnerships with parents are highly effective. Parents know what their children are learning and how they can support their rapid progress at home. Children bring their learning home, for example by borrowing books from the lending library and by making play dough to take home. n The manager leads the nursery with a strong sense of direction and motivates the staff to continually improve their knowledge and skills. Student staff are

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need to do better?

given extensive training and encouragement to enable them to successfully support children's learning. n Staff are truly valued as the most important asset of the nursery. They receive extensive recognition for their hard work and are valued and respected by the senior leadership. Leaders ensure that staff have a manageable workload and superb support in their roles. Leaders monitor, review and improve the ongoing quality of the provision. Their excellent oversight of the nursery has ensured that the standards continually rise and the nursery provides children with superb care and education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Robust systems are in place for safeguarding children. Every member of staff takes responsibility and is swift to act on any concerns about children's welfare. Close partnerships with the local safeguarding partners are in place. Staff have regular safeguarding training to ensure that they know how to refer any concerns about children's safety. Staff have extensive knowledge of the local area and relevant child protection concerns. Leaders put in-depth recruitment and induction arrangements into place to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. There are thorough risk assessments in place and staff are vigilant in supervising children and maintaining the safety and security of the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY447163 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10207508 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 44 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Kids Play Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01908643539 Date of previous inspection 15 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Little Chestnuts Day Nursery and Preschool registered in 2012 and operates from the grounds of Chestnuts School in Bletchley. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the manager who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection, and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

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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

13 October 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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