Keep Guard Day Nursery

Inspection of Keep Guard Day Nursery The West Wing, The Keep, Walcourt Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK42 8SJ

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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 arrive happily and eager to start the day. They separate from parents with ease as they are greeted by kind and nurturing staff. Children settle quickly to their chosen activity. They know what is expected at nursery and behave well. For example, older children explain to visitors how to safely cross the car park to play in the outdoor area. When children need support to meet behavioural expectations, they receive clear and consistent messages from staff. Children listen and follow simple instructions, understanding that these will help to keep themselves and their friends safe.

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The provision is good

Children are confident talkers, who are keen to share their ideas. They join in with staff as they sing songs and follow the actions. Children become intrigued as they explore how the paint runs down the brushes and their arms. Staff encourage children to think how they can make it less runny, giving them time to test out their ideas. Older children welcome the involvement of staff in their imaginary play. They pass telephones to staff, telling them who is on the line. Children wait in anticipation and listen intently to the imaginary conversation staff have. They giggle when staff ask if Peppa Pig has a poorly curly tail and respond by booking an appointment to see the veterinary surgeon.

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need to do better?

n Insightful and experienced leaders provide staff with a clear curriculum that helps children build on what they know and can do. Staff implement the curriculum well, following children's lead in play and building on their emerging interests. Over time, children gain the key skills they need to support the next stage in their education and for life in modern Britain. n The manager and staff team effectively consider how to close gaps for children, who start the nursery with less experiences than others. Additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, is used effectively. For example, staff provide children with dedicated time and support each day to become immersed in books and stories. This helps them to establish a broad vocabulary and to strengthen their understanding of the world around them. n Leaders place a high priority on helping children to develop a love of books and build the foundations to support their literacy skills at school. They have

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need to do better?

established a library within the nursery to enable children to continue to borrow books when they could not visit the public library, such as during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. n Parents are very positive about the nursery and staff. They say that they feel involved in their children's learning and feel that support over aspects, such as toilet training, helps to reduce stress at home. n Staff notice and act quickly when children need additional support. The special

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need to do better?

11 October 2022 educational needs coordinator is highly qualified and experienced to support staff to implement targeted interventions that enable children to make progress in their learning and development. n Leaders cascade relevant training they have experienced on local courses to help strengthen the quality of education for all. For example, clarification of sequencing has helped staff develop a deeper understanding of the curriculum. Staff receive regular supervision meetings with senior staff. This helps to maintain a broad overview of staff performance and well-being. Staff comment that their workloads are manageable and that they feel well supported to fulfil their roles and seek additional professional qualifications. n Staff working with babies do not always adapt practice and nursery routines well enough to ensure babies' needs are met promptly. They do not always notice when babies are more tired and hungry and bring forward an earlier lunch.

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need to do better?

Although babies learn the routine to wash their hands before they eat, this sometimes results in them sitting and waiting too long for food. Some babies become unsettled. n Sometimes, children are not able to join some activities, including the play dough table, because staff limit the number of spaces. As a result, children who have enthusiastically chosen to explore and experiment are turned away, with an offer to return later. However, this stifles spontaneous discovery and children's curiosity is diminished, reducing opportunities to extend and inspire children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders ensure all staff receive regular training about child protection and safeguarding. Staff confidently identify the possible indicators of child abuse and know what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. They receive regular updates about safeguarding issues and discuss these at staff meetings to keep their knowledge current to keep children safe from harm. Leaders follow robust recruitment processes that help to assure the suitability of adults working with children. Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of the nursery's whistle-blowing processes and wider safeguarding concerns, such as the risks to children of being exposed to extremist views.

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should:

n help staff working with babies understand how to ensure babies' needs are promptly met n support staff to enable children to follow their spontaneous interests and choices of activity without unnecessary restrictions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219083 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10258080 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 60 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Carmichael, Lynn

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reference number

Telephone number 01234 327955 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Keep Guard Day Nursery registered in 1996. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager holds a degree in early years management. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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 inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspectors on a learning walk and talked to the inspectors about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspectors spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The lead inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspectors. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

11 October 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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