Pennies at Newnham Court

Inspection of Pennies at Newnham Court Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted Road, Weavering, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5LH

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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 of all ages are happy and settled at the warm and inviting nursery. They are confident and independent. For example, children choose their own play and complete their own tasks. They are eager to tell their friends, 'Look I done it' after successfully zipping up their own coat. Children excitedly engage in challenging activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, older children learn about still life drawings as they draw a vase of daffodils. Younger children are keen to explore their senses. For instance, they investigate bottles that smell of different items, such as salted caramel and garlic cloves.

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The provision is good

Children gain good social skills. They are polite and behave well. Even the youngest children sign 'please' and 'thank you'. Children build positive friendships and happily play together. Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they brush their teeth after lunch and talk about the importance of doing so. Older children learn about healthy eating, as they make fruit juice from fresh oranges. Children of all ages gain good physical skills. For example, they confidently use slides, crawl through tunnels, climb up climbing walls and balance on large tyres. Children in receipt of additional funding are supported through carefully considered equipment that matches their individual learning needs. For example, sensory equipment has been purchased for children to use.

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need to do better?

n All staff, including the managers, establish secure and trusting relationships with children. Children have a good sense of belonging and positive levels of well- being. Staff get to know their individual personalities, likes and dislikes well. This helps staff to plan activities for children that they know will interest and motivate them. This helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to make good progress. Staff are very knowledgeable about how to support all children to reach their full potential. n The managers and staff build and maintain positive partnerships with parents. They communicate with them regularly and keep them well involved and informed in their child's day and achievements. Staff share regular photographs of what children have enjoyed learning. They are dedicated to getting to know families well. For example, staff offer to visit children's homes to make a

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need to do better?

connection between home and the setting, in order to help children settle quickly. n The managers closely monitor the good quality of education and care that staff provide. They routinely observe staff teaching children and provide them with helpful feedback to support their future performance. n All staff work together to evaluate their practice. Staff include the children's views and thoughts on the activities. They use the feedback to enhance their

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need to do better?

10 March 2022 future activity plans. All staff attend regular training. They have made good use of recent training to support children of all ages to become curious to explore and investigate as they play. n All staff support children to develop a good understanding of the similarities and differences of people within the setting, and the wider community outside of their own experiences. This includes other countries. For example, children learn about the carnivals and food delicacies traditional to Italy and listen to Italian music. n Some staff use effective ways to communicate with other settings that children attend. For example, they contact them to share children's learning and achievements. However, this is not consistent and some staff do not have a clear understanding of where their children also attend and how to communicate directly with their key persons. Therefore, staff do not yet provide the highest

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need to do better?

level of consistency to all children's shared care and learning experiences. n Overall, babies are happy and well cared for. However, staff do not organise and manage the lead up to lunch as effectively as other parts of the routine. Therefore, babies wait some time for their meals. They lose some interest in their learning experiences and are not fully engaged during this period of time. n Staff support all children to develop good communication skills. They use simple singing with all children. Older children are confident to share their ideas and thoughts with confidence. For instance, they are keen to share their unique songs with their friends. Older children lead by good example and enjoy singing songs with the babies, who thoroughly enjoy their company.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. This includes knowing how to deal with any allegations made against staff. All staff keep their training up to date and discuss safeguarding in regular meetings. Staff are confident in their knowledge of who they would contact to seek advice and how to follow up any potential concerns. They complete detailed risk assessments to help keep children safe. This includes reviewing all learning environments, equipment and practice to minimise the risk of COVID-19. For example, staff and children follow thorough handwashing routines. All staff are first-aid trained and know how to provide children with swift and effective medical treatment if required.

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should:

n review and improve the organisation of the lunchtime routine for babies to ensure that they are happy and engaged during this time

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should:

10 March 2022 n develop a more consistent approach to the sharing of information with other settings children attend.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY284697 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10149815 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 131 Number of children on roll 202 Name of registered person Pennies Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01622 737733 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Pennies at Newnham Court registered in 2005. It is located in Maidstone, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 7am until 6.30pm, all year around. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs 63 members of staff, 38 of whom hold relevant early years qualification at level 3 and above. This includes four who hold level 4, two who hold level 5 and one who holds early years teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with both of the managers. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the managers, children, parents and staff at convenient times and considered their views. n Both managers and the inspector carried out a joint observation on an outdoor communication activity involving both babies and older children.

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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

10 March 2022 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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