Smallville Nursery

Inspection of Smallville Nursery 70 High Street, Snodland ME6 5AG

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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 relish their time in this safe and welcoming nursery. They are happy, confident and eager to learn. Staff provide them with a secure and well-organised environment. A wide range of interesting activities are attractively available, which ignite children's curiosity and invite them to play and learn. For example, young children persist at creating a train track that fits together and figure out what way to attach the train carriages with a successful magnetic bond. Older children collaboratively test out their own ideas as they mix colours of paint and build structures with enough strength to hold a jug of water.

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The provision is good

Children develop good communication and language skills. For instance, Staff engage in meaningful conversation with the children and clearly emphasise key words within their interactions to help enhance children's understanding and speaking skills. For example, children learn the words 'extend' and 'blend' during their exploration. Staff also use some sign language to help children make choices, understand routines and express their needs.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Older children learn to regulate their own emotions and behaviours. For instance, staff support children to make links between colours and feelings in relation to a familiar and much-loved story effectively. In addition, children are polite and are learning to share and take turns with their friends.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff team have strong relationships with children and know them incredibly well. They gather information before children start, which helps them tailor the curriculum to meet their individual needs. Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The manager and staff form effective professional relationships with outside agencies. Children are swiftly provided with extra support, where needed, to help them make good progress in their learning and development. n Children are confident and interested in their environment. They ask lots of questions and are eager to learn. Children comfortably communicate their needs and demonstrate impressive independence skills. For example, children serve their own food at lunchtime and get themselves ready to go outside. Even the youngest children are able to choose and pour their own paint ready for their

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need to do better?

craft activities. Children learn a wide range of skills, which prepares them well for school. n Staff make the most of the great outdoor space. Children spend plenty of time outside in the inspiring garden. They learn about nature and are very physically active. Staff are highly vigilant and teach children the importance of managing

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need to do better?

17 November 2022 risks. For example, children safely create challenging obstacles and negotiate their way across, practising their balancing skills. Children have a can-do attitude and understand their own physical capabilities. n Staff provide many opportunities for children to develop their literacy skills. For example, children can access a range of resources, and they enjoy making marks in various ways. However, occasionally, staff do not incorporate mathematics as well as they could. For example, staff do not consistently build on older children's interest in mathematics by using further mathematical language or introducing patterns and numbers into children's play and exploration. n Parents speak very highly of the nursery and comment that their children make good progress and are happy. They mention that the manager and owner go 'above and beyond' so that their children have the best possible start to their

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need to do better?

education. n Regular self-evaluation and effective teamwork contribute to the impressive nursery provision. The manager supports staff and monitors their practice through continuous development. There are good opportunities for staff's professional development, and their well-being is consistently supported. This means that staff feel valued and enjoy their roles. n Staff provide a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities. However, at times, large group activities are not organised well enough. This means that children are not able to benefit fully from adult-led learning with their peers. n Children learn to follow healthy lifestyles. They have a good understanding of effective hand hygiene routines and know the benefits of healthy foods. Staff provide healthy meals and snacks and make sure that drinking water is readily available for children. They cater well for children's individual dietary needs and

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of their responsibility in recognising and reporting any concerns about a child's welfare. Safeguarding is given a high priority, and staff are vigilant to any concerns. Staff carry out daily risk assessments to ensure children are safe in the setting and when outdoors. The manager uses effective systems to recruit staff and to ensure their ongoing suitability. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles and responsibilities. Staff supervise children well throughout the day.

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should:

n enhance the curriculum for mathematics, providing older children with more

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should:

17 November 2022 opportunities to explore mathematical language and numbers or patterns n improve the organisation of group activities further so that children fully benefit from these opportunities and their learning is not interrupted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2620000 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10259705 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Smallville Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07590699582 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Smallville Nursery registered in 2021 and is situated in Snodland, Kent. It operates from 7am to 7pm, for 50 weeks of the year. The nursery employs eleven members of staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and the manager holds qualified teacher status. The nursery provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 during a planned activity. n The inspector gathered the written views of parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum.

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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

17 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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