Snowden Hill Nursery

Inspection of Snowden Hill Nursery Snowden Hill, Gravesend DA11 9AE

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are very happy and settle extremely well at this warm and welcoming nursery. They show that they feel safe and secure and establish close bonds with their key person. Staff work closely with other professionals involved in children's care and development. This helps to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities promptly receive the targeted support they need to support them to reach their full potential. Staff use additional funding effectively, such as early years pupil premium, to support children's needs. Children benefit from a wide range of exciting experiences. They enjoy activities that staff tailor to their current likes and interests. Older children listen to stories and learn about the life cycle of a butterfly. Younger children enjoy exploring different textures and learn new words such as 'soft', 'smooth' and 'squashy'. Communication and language development

p.2

The provision is good

are a clear focus throughout the nursery. Children learn how to express their needs and wishes. For example, younger children learn to sign key words, and older children confidently talk about their personal interests and engage in purposeful conversation.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is good. They learn about the nursery rules and what is expected of them. Children are kind and caring and establish close friendships where they help and support each other. Staff regularly praise children for sharing and taking turns, which helps to build children's self-esteem and confidence. Children receive effective support to develop independence skills in readiness for the next stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Managers and staff provide a broad and balanced curriculum that follows children's interests and supports their development. A good range of activities build on what children know and can do. This helps them to develop the skills they need for their future learning. Children are motivated to learn and show high levels of concentration and perseverance to complete self-chosen activities. For example, older children enjoy practising to write the letters in their name. n Staff place children's emotional well-being at the heart of their practice. They help children to grow in confidence and develop strong relationships with staff and other children. Staff take time to get to know the children well. For example, they gain detailed information about children's interests and specific needs on entering the nursery and effectively plan opportunities to help build on their current skills. n Staff provide children with enjoyable opportunities to develop their physical

p.2

need to do better?

skills. Children develop the small muscles in their hands as they use tools, build with small objects and explore with sensory materials. Children have regular access to outdoor play where they can practise their large muscle skills and

p.2

need to do better?

24 March 2022 coordination. For example, they enjoy running, climbing up and over objects, balancing along wooden planks and jumping to catch bubbles. n The manager is aware of staff's strengths and aspects of their practice that can be developed further. However, recent monitoring of teaching has not been precise enough to identify where some staff need further support to develop their skills. At times, some staff do not ask children further questions and encourage them to attempt tasks for themselves to help extend and challenge learning. n Parents comment they are very happy with the service the nursery provides. They feel their children are happy, safe and progressing well in their development. However, some parents feel they do not receive detailed information about what their children are learning at nursery and how they can support children's learning at home. n Staff promote consistent care routines throughout the day. They teach children

p.2

need to do better?

good hygiene practices. For example, children understand why it is important to wash hands frequently during the day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff team demonstrate a secure understanding of the procedures to follow to keep children safe from harm. They benefit from regular training to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Staff supervise children effectively as they play indoors and outdoors, at mealtimes and while they are sleeping to ensure their safety. Staff maintain a safe environment for children. They complete thorough risk assessments to help ensure that areas of the nursery are safe and suitable. Recruitment procedures are robust. Background checks are carried out to ensure the suitability of staff.

p.3

should:

n use information more precisely from monitoring staff's practice to build staff's skills to help extend children's learning further n strengthen the partnerships with parents to ensure that all parents receive detailed information about their children's learning at the nursery, and ways to support learning at home.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484166 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10228979 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 98 Name of registered person Educatio Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01322624301 Date of previous inspection 5 September 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Snowden Hill Nursery, known formerly as Meadows Nursery, registered in 2014. It is owned by a limited company, Educatio Ltd. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round with the exception of bank holidays. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider has received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what the want children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6