Star Day Nursery

Inspection of Star Day Nursery 21 East Hill, DARTFORD DA1 1RX

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

There have been significant improvements since the last inspection. The new manager and staff team have worked very effectively together to strengthen educational programmes. Children make very good use of the well-organised and attractively presented resources. They confidently explore the refurbished learning environments, inside and out, and become engrossed in their chosen play.

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The provision is good

Children respond well to the warm, caring interaction of staff. They seek to include staff in their play and confidently share their views and ideas. Children are enthusiastic learners, eagerly joining in with planned activities. For example, they watch as staff show them how to print by painting the feet of toy animals. Children are soon creating pictures, as they happily stomp dinosaurs across their paper. Outdoors, children engage in a broad range of experiences, including role play, reading and drawing. They also develop their physical strength and coordination, for example, as they load and manoeuvre a wheelbarrow in the new construction area.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from the targeted support they receive to help them share and take turns. With gentle reminders from staff, children wait patiently when needed and behave well. This helps them to develop valuable skills for the next stages in their education and later lives.

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need to do better?

n The leadership of the nursery is effective. The new manager and staff team are highly motivated and create a positive and warm atmosphere. They communicate well together as they work to embed the new, ambitious educational programme. The manager provides support and supervision for all staff, who also benefit from ongoing input from the company's training coordinator. n Each staff member has a secure knowledge of the children in their key group. They accurately identify what they want each child to learn next and plan experiences that they are confident they will enjoy. However, staff sometimes plan so many learning intentions for an activity that the aim becomes confused. For example, staff ask a range of questions and pose different ideas while children are engrossed in their play. Much of the time, this is effective in enhancing children's learning and enjoyment. However, there are times when too much adult input distracts from children being able to focus and fully absorb

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need to do better?

a particular idea or skill. n Children's language is promoted well. Staff speak to them as they play and skilfully introduce new vocabulary. Children chat very happily with their friends and with staff. There is a strong focus on supporting children who speak English

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need to do better?

6 January 2023 as an additional language. Staff learn key words in children's home languages. They work closely with parents to promote children's all round communication. n Staff plan a range of experiences that reflect the different backgrounds and cultures of the children attending. For example, they invite parents into the nursery to share stories, food and music enjoyed by their family. Staff also provide opportunities for children to learn about the lives and traditions of people outside of their own experience. n Staff promote children's health and hygiene well. The environment is well maintained and tables are cleaned thoroughly before food is served. Children enjoy nutritious snacks and meals and their individual dietary needs are fully respected. Staff teach children to be independent in their self-care, such as supporting potty training. Children also learn about the importance of washing their hands before eating.

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need to do better?

n The manager has successfully strengthened arrangements to keep parents informed about the day-to-day life of the nursery. In addition, staff effectively communicate with parents about their child's specific progress and next steps in learning. Parents feedback that they are very happy with the service they receive. They state that their children enjoy attending and are progressing well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team have a secure understanding of their responsibilities to protect children. They are aware of safeguarding concerns in the local area and understand how to identify the potential signs that may indicate a child is at risk. Staff have a confident knowledge of the procedures to follow to report concerns about a child and to respond to an allegation against a colleague, should the need arise. Security arrangements have been strengthened within the indoor environment.

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should:

n support staff to develop greater confidence in planning and implementing activities that allow children to focus more precisely on the intended learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456320 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10249548 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 68 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Stand Out Theatre Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01322836090 Date of previous inspection 8 July 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Star Day Nursery registered in 2012 and is one of two settings owned by the provider. It is located in Dartford, Kent, and is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, for most of the year, except public holidays. The nursery employs nine members of staff, who all hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk throughout the nursery and discussed the learning intent behind the educational programme. n The inspector observed the interaction of staff and children during a range of activities, inside and out. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of a planned activity. n The views of parents, gathered during the inspection, were taken into consideration. n The inspector viewed a range of relevant documentation.

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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

6 January 2023 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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