Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Maidstone) Ltd

Inspection of Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Maidstone) Ltd 732 London Road, Larkfield, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6BQ

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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 have positive attitudes and are eager to learn and explore. For example, babies enjoy the opportunity to try and pour their own drinks, with support, at a pretend tea party. Toddlers like to roll balls and mark make using brushes. Older children busily create crowns and show their skills using scissors and glue to make individual pieces. Staff use these opportunities well to have discussions with children about their own safety.

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The provision is good

All children settle well and staff are close by for support and comfort if needed. Staff want the best for children. Children are confident and self-assured. Staff encourage them to begin to solve problems for themselves. Older children are beginning to develop their independence skills. For example, staff guide them to learn how to cut up their own lunch. Children use the garden daily and have the opportunity to spend time with others from different rooms. Toddlers happily explore the sandpit, ride bikes and role play on the pirate ship.

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The provision is good

The managers adapted aspects of the how the setting runs, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to support everyone's safety. They continue to have some safety measures in place, such as cleaning routines and at the door drop offs.

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need to do better?

n The management team support staff well within their role. They have faced significant staffing challenges to maintain a qualified team. Staff said that they feel supported and that the management team have an open-door policy for help and guidance. The managers use a range of methods to support staff to develop their skills. For example, they have one-to-one meetings, staff meetings and focus on specific plans to ensure all staff have a secure knowledge. n Staff have a good overview of children's development and share this with parents. Staff identify where children need additional support and put appropriate plans in place. They work well with other agencies and seek additional specialist support. As as a result, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. n Older children enjoy learning about how to keep their teeth healthy. For example, they colour in pretend teeth and use a toothbrush and toothpaste to

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need to do better?

clean the teeth. They learn a range of new language, such as 'plaque', and what 'oral health' means. They ask questions and explain what they are doing. This helps them to be prepared for their move on to school. n Staff have good relationships with parents. Staff have a detailed knowledge of children's home lives and routines. For example, they know about babies' home sleep and feeding routines and have ongoing discussions about how these might change at the setting. For toddlers and older children, staff know about their

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need to do better?

31 May 2022 interests and what they have been doing in their time away from the nursery. As a result, staff are knowledgeable about the individual needs of each child. n The managers and staff have clear aims of what they want children to achieve in each room. Generally, these are implemented well. However, at times, some of the good practice observed for older children to support children's communication and language is not as consistent for younger children. n Children enjoy a range of learning opportunities at nursery. They like to play with their friends and involve staff in their play. For example, they are keen to show off their drawings. However, at times, changes of routine mean that toddlers have long periods of waiting and they get bored and wander off. n Leaders have clear curriculum aims which show in children's learning and development. For example, parents know about recent themes, such as 'people

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need to do better?

who help us'. At home, they talk about the police and are able to identify their vehicles. Leaders are also aware of the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on children's development. They carefully observe children to assess if any additional support needs to be put in place.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The managers and staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children. They know the signs and symptoms that may show that a child is at risk of harm. This includes wider safeguarding issues. The managers ensure that staff receive regular training, with a recent focus on county lines and witchcraft. Staff are clear on the action to take if they have concerns about children. They know what to do to escalate their concerns if they feel leaders have not taken the appropriate action. Staff are aware of what to do if a child has an accident and paediatric first-aid trained staff are easy to identify.

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should:

n develop ways of providing greater support for younger children's communication and language to ensure that teaching is consistent throughout the nursery n review and take action to support younger children with transitions through the day to ensure that wait times are minimised to help them further engage in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY321463 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10228410 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 76 Number of children on roll 95 Name of registered person Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Maidstone) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01732 848480 Date of previous inspection 5 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Maidstone) Ltd in Larkfield, Kent registered in 2005. It is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm all year round. The nursery operates an after-school club. There are 21 members of staff, 18 of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications. The provider 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 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 setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to staff during the inspection.

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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

31 May 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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