Kindred St Neots Nursery and Pre-School

Inspection of The Orchards Day Nursery 117 Great North Road, Eaton Socon, ST. NEOTS, Cambridgeshire PE19 8GT

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children attending this fun and exciting nursery receive the very best start to their education. They learn techniques that help them understand and regulate their emotions in different situations. For example, children openly talk about how they are feeling, and staff support them to be able to acknowledge their emotions. They practise mindfulness techniques, such as 'blowing candles' and 'smelling flowers', to encourage taking breaths. As a result of this, children are extremely self-assured and confident.

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The provision is outstanding

Children actively explore the well-resourced environment and eagerly share their learning experiences with members of staff. For example, children excitedly recall when they found a frog in the nursery garden and rehomed it in the nature reserve. Children demonstrate excellent skills in forming close friendships with their peers. For example, children take turns playing with dough. They make sure that others have as much as they do without prompt from an adult.

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The provision is outstanding

The fantastic garden space provides children with a range of rich experiences. They play enthusiastically with superhero capes on, while they build in the sandpit. Children ring a bell when they finish, to let their friends know it is their turn. They eagerly tell visitors about different fruits and vegetables that they grow in the garden. Staff support this learning through carefully planned outings to food markets and allotments.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate an outstanding level of independence. They understand hygiene procedures; for example, babies wipe their own noses and know how to dispose of their tissues. Children take pride in helping to tidy up. They eagerly use a dustpan and brush to clear spills on the floor. Older children wear 'helper' tabards and prepare the tables for mealtimes. Children learn how to dress themselves and to express their wants and needs. This ensures that children are ready for the next step in their education. n Staff provide a language-rich environment that builds on children's vocabulary and understanding. They introduce new words into children's play. For example, staff discuss how to 'divide' dough during an activity and explain what the word means. Children then repeat this language back to their friends while playing. Staff use simple sign language and visual prompts to communicate with children

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need to do better?

from an early age. This promotes an inclusive environment where all children are highly valued. n Children understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They have discussions about what they are eating along with a visual menu of what is being served. Children talk about how much sugar is in certain foods and staff

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need to do better?

19 October 2022 support them to make healthy choices by taking them to buy their own snacks. Children take part in daily song-and-dance sessions to support their physical development and mental well-being. n Staff value parents' thoughts and opinions. For example, parents are consulted on how to extend experiences for children by adding more garden space in the car park area. Parents are involved in their children's nursery life through initiatives, such as home-learning packs and 'cook and chat' boxes. Parents speak very highly of the staff team at the nursery. They say that they feel it is a wonderful environment, where their children are loved and well cared for. Parents also note that they feel extremely supported. n All children have excellent opportunities to explore the world around them. The nursery staff carefully plan experiences and ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience new things. For example, children visit the nature

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need to do better?

reserve, parks and food markets. Children who are interested in fire engines visit the fire station and learn about fire safety. n The management team demonstrates a high-quality vision for the ongoing future of the nursery. They share this vision with the team and share their practice with other settings in the local area. Staff morale is very high, and they work consistently well as a team to do the very best for the children they care for. The management has undertaken mental health first-aid training to ensure that the well-being of everyone within the nursery is carefully considered.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The setting has a strong culture of safeguarding. All staff are highly trained and have an impressive understanding of their role in protecting children. They know to refer any concerns they may have about a child to the appropriate safeguarding team without hesitation. Staff receive high-quality training to ensure they can recognise and respond to signs of abuse. This includes radical and extreme views and behaviours. Children are taught to safeguard themselves and understand about different campaigns that promote this. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to assure the suitability of all staff and committee members.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456700 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10236026 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Orchard Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01480477998 Date of previous inspection 13 December 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Orchards Day Nursery was registered in 2012. It is one of three nurseries owned by a private provider. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. The manager holds a qualification at level 4. The nursery is open each weekday for 51 weeks of the year from 7.30am to 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 nursery 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, deputy and director 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observation of a group activity with the manager and deputy. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector in the form of written feedback. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

19 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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