RAFA Kidz

Inspection of RAFA Kidz RAF Digby, Ashby de la Launde, Lincoln LN4 3LH

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children of all ages in the nursery are happy and they explore independently or alongside an adult. Babies' bonds with staff are exceptionally good. When staff return from a break, they greet babies with a beaming smile and a request for a hug. This shows secure emotional attachments. Babies develop good levels of independence. Staff have high expectations of what they can do for themselves. They encourage them to fetch a tissue and wipe their own nose. Pre-school children share and play well together. They take it in turns to fill a bucket in the sand, waiting patiently for their turn.

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The provision is good

Children are articulate and confident communicators. Toddlers are curious about visitors. They ask their name and what they are doing in the nursery. Pre-school children chat to visitors and tell them, 'I can run 100 metres fast, let me show you.' Children become highly engaged in the interesting range of activities staff plan for them. Babies use their senses to explore different textures such as cocoa powder, child-safe foam and water. They watch in wonder as staff clap their hands and create a mist of cocoa dust. Toddlers learn new concepts such as sinking and floating as staff set them challenges to see what sinks and what floats.

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need to do better?

n The management team has a clear vision for the nursery and how it wants staff to develop. The manager offers regular meetings for staff. There is evidence of some strong practice. However, this is not yet consistent across the nursery. The manager acknowledges that there is scope to help new and inexperienced staff improve their teaching skills. n Staff use every opportunity to develop children's vocabulary. They listen to and value children's contributions. Staff often introduce rhythm and rhyme into children's play. For example, as babies play with boats, staff sing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' to further support their learning. Pre-school children spontaneously sing popular rhymes to staff. As a result, children hear and explore new words, which helps them to develop the skills they need to be confident communicators. n The manager and staff plan a curriculum to meet the emerging needs of children who attend. They consider the sequence in which they teach the children, and

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need to do better?

the skills children will need to make good progress. For example, in the pre- school room there is an emphasis on school readiness. Staff encourage independence and self-care skills, such as children being able to dress themselves. This contributes to children's learning journey into school. n Staff give gentle reminders about taking turns when children choose the same popular toy, such as the pushchair. They remind children that 'sharing is caring' and suggest that if children have a problem, they should approach a member of

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need to do better?

8 June 2022 staff for support. This helps children to learn good social skills. n The staff provide appealing outdoor environments that offer children lots of opportunities for exploration, risk and challenge. For example, babies show confidence and resilience as they try to climb a slope. Staff are on hand to provide encouragement with their last few steps up. Pre-school children thoroughly enjoy a more natural outdoor experience. They use their imagination in the mud kitchen and explore capacity with water and sand. n The nursery offers care for children from military families. Staff go above and beyond to help children cope with parents' deployment away from them. For instance, they prepare 'deployment packs' for children and for the parent who is leaving the family home. These contain items to help with the enforced separation, such as jellybeans for the children. Children are encouraged to eat one each day of the deployment until the parent returns.

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need to do better?

n The manager uses additional funding thoughtfully. For example, resources are purchased, such as games to encourage children to take turns and play harmoniously together. These extra benefits help to further promote children's learning, development and progress. n Parents speak positively about their experience of the nursery. They comment that the manager and staff are committed, not only to the children but also to the wider family. Parents state that staff go to great lengths to meet the needs of their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager is confident in her role in protecting children from harm. She acts promptly and effectively on any concerns she may have. Staff have a secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know where to find contact details for their local safeguarding partnership, should they need to report a concern. Staff are aware of all safeguarding issues, such as extremism and domestic abuse. Staff make good use of the walk to the camp gym to teach children about road safety. When they get to a road, children tell staff, 'You need to look left and right.'

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should:

n continue the support for newer and less-experienced staff to help raise their good level of practice even higher.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2578832 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10238389 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 112 Number of children on roll 132 Name of registered person Rafa Kidz Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01526 327653 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

RAFA Kidz registered in 2020 and is situated on a military base in Digby, Lincolnshire. The nursery employs 26 members of staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two staff with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round except for bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. 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. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The quality assurance manager, nursery manager, deputy manager, staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a selection of parents and took account of written

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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

8 June 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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