Kids 1st - Bowesfield

Inspection of Kids 1st - Bowesfield Cygnet Drive, Stockton On Tees TS18 3DZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence as they explore the wide range of resources that are accessible to them. They have a vast range of opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, babies crawl through tunnels. Older children thoroughly enjoy investigating the snow in the outdoor area. They carefully climb small snowy mounds, expressing their delight as they reach the top. Toddlers develop their understanding of the natural world. They investigate flowers, herbs and radishes. Children use their senses to explore each item. They learn to respect other people's choices. For example, with the support of their parents, older children are encouraged to vote for a class president.

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The provision is good

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, key staff now greet all children and their families warmly at the nursery's main entrance. On arrival, children confidently leave their parents and eagerly seek out enjoyable activities in their rooms. Children, including those who are new to the nursery, settle well on arrival. Children's behaviour is good. Staff teach children about the nursery's rules and boundaries, and what is expected of them. Children are kind and friendly towards each other. Staff regularly praise them for sharing and being kind to others.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the quality of teaching across the setting is good. Staff are highly qualified and have a good knowledge of children's individual needs. They provide children with an exciting range of activities and experiences, which support them to make good progress. However, staff do not consistently link what they want children to learn to the activities that they provide. n Staff gather crucial information from parents about what their children know and can do when they first start at the setting. However, staff do not share precise information about children's development as they move between rooms. This means that staff do not always focus on children's next stage of learning from the very beginning. n Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills. Children foster a love of reading as they spend time looking at books independently and with each other. Older children pretend to be a teacher

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need to do better?

and read familiar stories to their friends. Toddlers excitedly join in action songs, and pre-school children practise initial letter sounds. Staff engage children in conversations and introduce a wide range of vocabulary. For example, children listen with awe as staff discuss the solar system and introduce the planets, Neptune and Jupiter. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the setting. Parents know what their children are learning, through conversations with staff and the use of an online system. Staff share information with parents to help them to understand how

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need to do better?

2 December 2021 their children's learning can be further supported at home. Parents comment that 'staff have positive relationships' and 'communication is extremely effective'. n Staff are very caring, sensitive and nurturing. They quickly respond to children's needs. For instance, when young children wake from their sleep, they are quickly provided with cuddles and reassurance. As a result, children settle quickly and form secure relationships with their key person. This helps to promote children's emotional well-being. n There is very good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The special educational needs coordinator works closely with key staff to develop individual learning plans for children. Staff work in close partnerships with a wide range of professionals to support children to reach their full potential. n Children behave well. They understand the expectations of the setting and listen

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need to do better?

to staff when they need some guidance and support. Older children say please and thank you, without being prompted. Staff give children praise and encouragement for their positive behaviour. n Staff teach children good hygiene practices. Older children show high levels of independence with their self-care skills. They know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Toddlers learn to wipe their own nose and wash their hands afterwards. They talk confidently about using soap to 'wash the germs away'.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management team and staff have a sound knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. They recognise the main types of abuse and know what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff confidently discuss a wide range of safeguarding issues, including children being exposed to extremist views, female genital mutilation and county lines. All staff have completed safeguarding training and understand the local authority's reporting procedures. Staff undertake regular risk assessments of the nursery environment to ensure that it is safe and secure.

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should:

n help staff to build on their understanding of the curriculum, so that they are aware of the skills and knowledge they want children to gain from all experiences n strengthen information sharing with other rooms within the setting to fully enable smooth transitions for children to support their continuity of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY480706 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10117682 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 108 Number of children on roll 163 Name of registered person Kids First Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01642 674672 Date of previous inspection 21 April 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Kids 1st - Bowesfield registered in 2014. The nursery employs 32 members of childcare staff. Of these, 29 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. 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 provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager, manager and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the manager and area manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector through written feedback.

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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

2 December 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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