The Kids' Academy

Inspection of The Kids' Academy The Kids Academy, Moulsham School, Princes Road, CHELMSFORD CM2 9DE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and settle quickly. They have secure relationships with staff and form positive friendships with each other. Children are helpful and complete tasks without prompting. For example, they tidy up after they complete each activity. Children know the routine and what they will be doing next. They take turns and listen intently to their friends during group times. They have their own pegs with their photo and name to give them a sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Older children are confident communicators. They listen carefully to the phonics song, following the actions and naming the sounds to single words, as they take part in a phonics session. They then listen for the sound of their name to go and wash their hands in preparation for lunch.

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The provision is good

Children go on nature walks to collect natural resources. They look at the leaves, intently describing the different colours and markings. They learn about sustainability, recycling and how to protect the planet. Younger children play with coloured shapes, problem-solving as they skilfully fit the different objects into the right slots on the bus.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are strong. The manager ensures that parents receive regular updates about their children's development and progress. Parents report a high degree of satisfaction with the care and education given to their children. n Staff plan their curriculum around the children's interests and learning needs. They know the children well and know what they need to learn next. Leaders reflect on the effectiveness of the teaching and learning, and support staff to develop their practice. However, this support is not focused enough on ensuring all staff understand the delivery of the curriculum in relation to the different ages of children. n Children are active learners and are eager to become involved in activities. Staff sit closely with children to guide them, while allowing them to make their own choices. Children scope out pumpkins. They discuss the weight and size of the pumpkins, introducing mathematical concepts.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children's communication and language. They engage children in conversation. Staff give clear instructions and extend children's vocabulary. For example, they talk about seeds and growing plants. They discuss what plants need to thrive. Children discuss previous experiences where they have taken part in planting activities. However, there are occasions where staff ask questions but do not give sufficient time for children to answer. n Children are becoming independent and they behave well. Children serve themselves, pour their drinks and wash their hands. They are provided with

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need to do better?

1 November 2022 healthy, nutritious meals and discuss the importance of eating their vegetables. Children are supported well during toilet training. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their social skills. They teach children how to be kind to each other. Staff give children opportunities to work together in small or large groups. However, there are times when staff direct the play, which limits children's opportunities to use their imaginations and be creative. n Young children have access to a range of books. Children point to the pictures in the book and say what the object is on each page. Staff repeat the words back, providing reassurance and building their communication and language development further. n Staff are nurturing and caring. They carry out intimate care duties and provide cuddles and reassurance to children when visitors arrive. Staff stay close to less confident children, helping them feel safe and secure. This further supports their

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need to do better?

well-being. n The manager regularly reflects on the provision, recognising where their strengths and weaknesses are. She has recently updated the nursery's policies and procedures and is in the process of embedding these across the nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have an understanding of safeguarding and how to keep children safe. They are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the local risks in their community. The manager has a good recruitment procedure and ensures all new staff have an induction. Staff are aware of how to report a concern about a colleague's behaviour. Staff attend regular meetings, which help to support their safeguarding knowledge and ensure it is up to date. The manager carries out regular risk assessments of the environment to minimise risks and maintain the children's safety.

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should:

n develop staff practice to enable them to plan and provide activities that support children's imagination and creativity n focus further on children's language development, allowing time for children to respond, and support staff to identify opportunities where language can be extended n improve the monitoring of staff practice to develop their knowledge and understanding of how children learn, so that all children benefit from a consistently high-quality learning experience.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY365137 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10233717 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 66 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person TKA Management Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01245 345599 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Kids' Academy registered in 2008. It is situated in Chelmsford, Essex. It operates from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The provider employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. 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 setting 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 Leaders 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 observed the quality of education being provided, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity.

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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

1 November 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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