D-Dee's Day Nursery

Inspection of D-Dee's Day Nursery D Deesday Nursery, The Ridgeway, Boughton-under-blean, Faversham ME13 9BB

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Babies and children flourish in this incredibly calm and nurturing environment. Extremely focused settling-in procedures support them to form really strong bonds with staff. As a result, children feel safe and secure and are very keen to explore and trial new experiences. Babies investigate the magical environment. They stretch up high to grasp the floating balls that suspend from sticky tape above their heads. Babies show their pleasure and excitement to staff as they giggle away when they manage to knock a ball down. Older children commando crawl under ribbons strung between the back of chairs. This helps them to improve strength in the shoulders, which provides stability for the building of fine motor skills, such as writing. Staff provide children with a wealth of innovative opportunities that enable them to develop their core strengths.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are unbelievably resilient and determined to succeed in their chosen tasks. For instance, they practise using trigger spray bottles. Younger children use two hands to squeeze the trigger. Older children try with one hand. There is a sense of pride in their achievements as they cover the windows with coloured water. The children are fascinated by the dripping patterns the water makes. Children develop their muscle strength and problem-solving skills as they engage in an abundance of experiences.

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need to do better?

n The manager is passionate about the nursery. She has extremely high expectations for staff and children. Staff state that they receive tremendous support for their well-being and feel more like they are a family than a team. The manager is aware of the importance of empowering staff. She recognises that, if staff have a thirst for learning, they will pass this on to the children. As a result, the manager has created a very skilled and dedicated staff team. n Children's behaviour is outstanding. Staff are consistent in the messages they give to children to support them to manage their emotions and actions. The manager and staff work extremely closely with families to ensure there is a continuity of care and learning. For example, from a very young age, staff help children to understand how they can manage their feelings and behaviour. n Parents show overwhelming support and praise for the nursery. The manager

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need to do better?

recognised the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on parent partnerships. She has been exceptionally focused on bringing parents back into the nursery community. The special educational needs coordinator, who is also the well- being lead, works very closely with families to provide support. As a result, parents receive exemplary guidance to make sure they are completely involved and engaged in their children's learning. n The commitment the manager shows to improving early years practice is worthy

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need to do better?

21 February 2023 of sharing with others. She is very proactive in helping other professionals and colleagues. For instance, she is instrumental in supporting other nursery managers through her engagement in online social platforms and local collaborations. She visits schools to give career talks on the importance of a highly motivated and skilled early years workforce. n An awe-inspiring curriculum and environment ensures that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make outstanding progress. The devoted staff are highly skilled in supporting children's communication and language skills. They make exceptional use of descriptive language to increase children's vocabulary. For instance, babies explore the soft, squidgy play dough. Older children examine the different ways the cornflour reacts when it is firm or runny. Children are extremely well prepared for future

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need to do better?

learning and are becoming fluent communicators. n Staff embed exploratory play into children's learning. They enable children to investigate and experiment to explore cause and effect. For instance, children delight in weighing ingredients to put into the bread machine, and they programme it. The smell of the bread cooking and the tasty slices of bread for tea are thoroughly appreciated by all. Children are developing skills through scientific inquiry. n Outside play is a high priority. Staff make excellent use of the garden areas to develop children's inquisitive nature and wonder of the world. For example, staff encourage children to predict what will happen when they roll a range of objects down the slide. They encourage the children to think about how to keep themselves and others safe. Staff provide children with amazing opportunities to develop their curiosity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and her staff team have an excellent working knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures. They regularly update their safeguarding knowledge through training and staff meetings. For example, the manager discusses potential safeguarding scenarios with staff to help strengthen their knowledge further. Staff confidently explain a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as county lines and being alert to extreme views and beliefs. They understand and know how to follow the setting's whistle-blowing policy. They are aware of procedures to follow if they have any concerns about colleagues. Staff are effective in supporting children to take managed risks in their play. They are vigilant and always keep children safe and secure.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2613841 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10263030 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 40 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person D-Dee's Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01227 751971 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

D-Dee's Day Nursery registered in 2020. It operates from a building in Boughton- under-Blean, near Faversham, Kent. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8am and 6pm, for most of the year. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 18 staff, of whom nine hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and four at level 2. The provider holds a level 6 qualification.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the setting. n During a learning walk, the manager discussed her aims for the setting and how the curriculum is implemented. n The inspector considered the views of parents through face-to-face discussions and written testimonials. n The manager conducted a joint observation with the inspector of an adult-led activity in the baby room. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children to assess the quality of education and care the children receive. n At appropriate times throughout the day, the inspector spoke to staff and children about their experiences at the nursery.

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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

21 February 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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