The Rainbow Tree Day Nursery

Inspection of The Rainbow Tree Day Nursery The Old Casino, 85-87 Wellington Street, GRAVESEND, Kent DA12 1JQ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at this welcoming nursery. They form close and trusting relationships with staff, who clearly enjoy caring for them. There is a well- established and effective key-person system and new children settle quickly into nursery routines. This helps support their emotional well-being. Children are developing good levels of independence and know how to keep themselves safe. They listen and follow instructions well. Children know how to put on coats and boots and talk about walking sensibly on the steps that lead to the outdoor play area.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They develop skills in sharing and taking turns and show respect to each other. Children learn about each other's families. They enjoy sharing homemade books that contain photos of their immediate and extended family. This helps children to learn about similarities and value difference. Children have good opportunities to play outside in the developing outdoor areas. Babies explore musical toys on their cosy veranda. Young children enjoy drawing with chalk. They draw faces to express how they are feeling and the reason for this. Older children enjoy the challenges of new climbing equipment. This helps children to develop small- and large-muscle skills. Children are supervised well and supported in their outdoor learning.

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need to do better?

n Managers effectively review the nursery to make improvements. They use additional funding well, such as early years pupil premium. Managers have purchased carefully chosen equipment to support and develop children's physical development in the outdoor learning environments. n Staff receive good guidance and support from management and complete all required training, such as child protection and paediatric first aid. Managers monitor staff performance to help identify their strengths and any areas for development. However, staff are not always given opportunities to participate in training that relates to the improvements currently being made at the nursery. n Staff plan an exciting curriculum that builds on children's learning step-by-step. They adapt and change activities according to the individual needs of those children participating. The activities provided have a clear learning intention. n Staff who support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities

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need to do better?

have a clear understanding of their role. They use their knowledge to great effect and work well with external agencies to support each child. This ensures that each child has the appropriate support and that gaps in learning close as quickly as possible. n Children have good opportunities to take a lead in their learning and concentrate well at their chosen play. They enjoy making snacks in the pretend play area

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need to do better?

17 November 2021 and invite their friends to join them. Other children enjoy exploring foam and giggle as they try to scoop up foam to build a tower. Staff have high expectations of children and extend their learning by offering suggestions on how they might go about this. n Children are developing a good knowledge of literacy. Staff have created a room which includes a tepee, comfy cushions, and a wide range of books for children to read independently or with their friends. Staff read to children in an engaging way and they listen intently. Older children predict what they think might happen next and confidently recall parts of the story line. This supports children's language and communication skills. n Staff effectively incorporate mathematics into children's play in interesting ways. For example, younger children enjoy exploring the colourful raised textured of numbers on pebbles and older children have fun collecting, counting, and sorting

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need to do better?

conkers and leaves on woodland walks. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents speak highly of the nursery and are pleased with their children's progress. Parents were complimentary about the good key-person systems and children's transitions between rooms. They welcome the new online learning journal that informs them of their children's care needs and progress. However, parents do not receive sufficient information on how to support and guide their children's individual learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff demonstrate a good understanding of their roles and responsibility to protect children and keep them safe. They know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff complete regular child protection training, so their knowledge remains current. Managers follow safe recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure staff are suitable for their role. Induction procedures are robust. Staff and apprentices share that they feel valued and supported in their roles. Managers carefully consider staff workloads to ensure they are manageable.

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should:

n strengthen the programme for professional development that staff receive, so that the nursery's vision for children's learning is well understood by the team n provide parents with further information about how they can guide their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496377 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10210673 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 70 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person The Rainbow Tree Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01474 491273 Date of previous inspection 22 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Rainbow Tree Day Nursery registered in 2015. It operates from a large house in Gravesend, Kent. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday, all year round, closing for one week at Christmas and bank holidays. A team of 14 staff work in the nursery. All staff hold relevant childcare qualifications at levels 2 and 3. This includes a member of staff who holds early years professional status. The nursery receives funding to provide 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The provider/manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities both indoors and out and evaluated the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector viewed written procedures, such as behaviour management, accidents and incidents and children's food allergens. n Several parents shared their views about the nursery with the inspector.

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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 November 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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