Kirkley Nursery

Inspection of Kirkley Nursery Kirkley Children's Centre, Kirkley Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0LU

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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 arrive happy and excited to start their day at this friendly nursery. They find their coat pegs and separate from their parents with ease. Pre-school children look through windows to find their friends. They wave as they enter the nursery and announce, 'I am here'. Children immediately settle to play. They show confidence in selecting activities of their choosing. Babies enjoy water play. They investigate blocks of ice and play with toy penguins. Toddlers become engrossed in rolling cars down ramps. They notice tyre tracks forming as cars roll through paint. They name the colours they see and clap when their car reaches the ground.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical exercise. This helps to promote their good health. They initiate chasing games, use bats and balls and fill buckets of sand. Pre-school children set out their own obstacle courses using cones. They balance on beams and tell staff, 'look at me'. Children develop their physical strength as they carry tyres and containers of water. Staff have planned the outside spaces to ensure that activities are varied and stimulating. Children benefit from access to quiet activities. For example, they spend long periods of time looking at books and painting egg cartons.

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need to do better?

n Children show that they feel safe and secure. They approach staff for cuddles and sit on their laps to share books and complete puzzles. When children become frustrated, staff are quick to offer reassurance. They cuddle children closely and sing soothing songs. Children enjoy spending time with staff. They laugh when staff join in with games such as 'What's the Time Mr Wolf?'. n Children behave well and understand what is expected of them. For example, they line up at the door to go outside. Children share toys and sit quietly on the carpet during 'good morning' routines. Toddlers tell each other 'it is tidy-up time' when staff shake tambourines. Staff reinforce behavioural expectations. They remind children to have 'walking feet' and 'kind hands'. n Staff support children well to develop their fine motor skills. Toddlers use paints and chalks to create their own pictures. Pre-school children participate in 'disco

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need to do better?

dough' sessions. They roll, pat and poke their play dough as they sing songs. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good levels of care. Staff complete timely referrals and engage with a range of other professionals. Children enjoy opportunities to play in dedicated sensory rooms. They smile as they notice their reflection in mirror balls. n Children demonstrate a good level of independence. Babies stack their bowls after eating healthy snacks. Toddlers peel bananas and pour their own drinks. Pre-school children manage their own self-care routines. They show competence in dressing in and out of waterproof clothing.

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need to do better?

24 January 2023 n Staff support children's communication and language. They give clear narration of what children are doing and engage children in frequent story times. Staff read sensory books to toddlers. They introduce the words 'fuzzy' and 'rough' as they read. Babies point to pictures in books. Pre-school children delight in games such as 'Mr Bear'. They enthusiastically sing songs and clap when they find pretend jars of honey. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment that communication is thorough, and they feel very well informed. They say the nursery is a 'safe haven' and that their children are 'thriving'. Parents say staff are 'incredible and always willing to listen'. n The leadership team and staff work closely together. They evaluate the nursery and strive to provide the best possible environment for children to learn and develop. The new manager nurtures an ethos of professional development and

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need to do better?

well-being for staff. For example, she monitors staff's workload and evaluates when any changes need to be put in place. n Staff play closely with children and show an interest in what they are doing. However, staff do not always recognise when children who are less confident would benefit from their interaction, to further support their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff understand their roles to safeguard children. They know the different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff know how to identify and report concerns regarding the behaviour of an adult. The manager ensures that all staff complete regular training to keep their knowledge of safeguarding up to date. She tests their knowledge using regular quizzes and questions. The manager provides robust induction procedures to support newly appointed staff. Daily checks are effective to ensure that the premises remain suitable and safe.

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should:

n support staff to provide higher levels of teaching and interactions with quieter, less-confident children to further extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2600502 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10251561 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 52 Number of children on roll 78 Name of registered person The Consortium Multi-Academy Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01502 273118 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Kirkley Nursery registered in 2020 and is located in Lowestoft, Suffolk. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, seven at level 3, one at level 2 and three at level 1. The nursery opens all year round, except for staff training days, bank holidays and Christmas. Sessions are from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. 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 inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views of the nursery. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documents on request.

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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

24 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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