Bright Horizons Maidstone Day Nursery And Preschool

Inspection of Bright Horizons Maidstone Day Nursery And Preschool North Lodge, Queens Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0JN

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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 arrive happily at the nursery and are welcomed by kind, nurturing staff who know them well. Those who are new to the nursery or who are settling in are comforted by staff with cuddles and reassuring words. Children respond well and are soon immersed in the stimulating activities set out by the staff. Staff deploy themselves well in order to respond to children's needs and wishes.

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The provision is good

Children are provided with lots of opportunities to engage in stories and books from around the world. They freely access books they want from the cosy reading areas both indoors and outdoors. Staff read aloud and tell stories to children in an engaging way that captures their imagination. For example, they discuss what they use their teeth for and how they must not be used for biting. As a result, children listen attentively and engage in meaningful conversation.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and have a positive attitude towards learning. They approach activities with excitement and have prolong engagement in their play. For example, children use selections of buttons to create collages of shapes. They share their collages with each other, expressing pride in their achievements.

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need to do better?

n Staff support and promote children's physical development. The learning environment is well resourced with appropriate equipment that allows children to be active in their play. For example, younger children pull themselves up and cruise safely around the low-level furniture. Children are given the opportunity to take appropriate risks and challenges during play. Older children practise their balancing skills on the low tree trunks. They take turns walking around the trunks and stretch their arms out to maintain balance. n The newly appointed manager has a clear and ambitious vision for providing high-quality, inclusive care and education to all children. She takes into consideration each child's individual needs and backgrounds. For example, she consults and takes account of the children's interest through a 'pre-school councillor' platform. Children can voice their opinion on what they would like in

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need to do better?

their learning environment. As a result, they are engaged and engrossed as they interact with the learning resources and activities. n Staff understand the developmental needs of the children in their care. They monitor the progress children make and identify any gaps in their learning. The manager uses funding from the local authority to help support children's progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well by the knowledgeable staff who meet their needs effectively. Staff work with outside agencies to ensure their assessments of children are accurate and they follow any advice given. As a result, children are making good

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 progress and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning. n Staff seek out opportunities to extend children's learning through quality interactions. For example, at lunchtime, they engage in conversation with older children about food produce. Children learn about how milk can be churned to make butter and the process of how it becomes cheese. However, this is not yet consistently embedded across all ages in the nursery. n Children are confident and independent. They are aware of the structure and routines of the day. For example, on arrival, they self-register and say 'bye' to one another when leaving. At mealtimes, children serve themselves from the pasta tray and pass it to their peers. Children persevere during learning. For example, staff encourage them to identify different letters during an alphabet hunt in the garden. Staff offer prompts and praise to keep children motivated.

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need to do better?

n Parents are generally happy with the nursery and are aware of who their child's key person is. Most parents feel that they are kept well informed about their child's progress via the online platform the nursery uses. However, this is not consistent, which means that not all parents are always aware of ongoing information or how they can support their children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead and staff are aware of the procedures in place to safeguard children. They know how to identify if a child is at risk and understand how to refer any concerns to the local safeguarding partnership. There is a positive culture and ethos where safeguarding is an important part of everyday life. Staff regularly attend training and have access to a range of prompt posters and cards in order to keep them updated. The leadership team regularly assesses the ongoing suitability of staff during supervision. Staff manage the individual dietary requirements of children appropriately and are all aware of any care plans they may have.

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should:

n continue to develop staff interactions with children to ensure that they are consistently embedded across the nursery, particularly when extending children's language n improve how information is shared with parents to ensure all parents are kept informed as to how they can support their children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2558548 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10221654 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 54 Number of children on roll 89 Name of registered person Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01622 235147 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Horizon Maidstone Day Nursery And Preschool registered in 2019. The setting is located on non-domestic premises in Maidstone, Kent. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm all year round. The setting is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are 17 staff working with the children, nine of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager holds a relevant level 3 childcare qualification.

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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 This was the first inspection the provider received since its registration in 2019. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector held discussions with the leaders, staff, children and parents. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

21 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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