Portland Kindergarten Limited

Inspection of Portland Kindergarten Limited 33 - 35 Tentercroft Street, LINCOLN LN5 7DB

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are excited as they arrive at this warm and caring nursery. They show confidence as they leave their parents with ease. Babies form close relationships with their key person and receive comfort and reassurance. They sit with friends and stack bricks to make a tower, giggling when it falls. Older children make independent choices about their play from a variety of resources that capture their interests. For example, children blow through straws to make bubbles and race toy ducks. They proudly tell their friends, 'look at my big bubbles'.

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The provision is good

Children have daily opportunities to be active and play outdoors. They balance on an obstacle course and bounce on a trampette. Children engage in risky play independently, climbing up a big wooden climbing frame and confidently sliding down. This helps to develop their physical skills. Children show resilience when they try to put on their wellingtons and coats by themselves. They work together with their friends to dig in the soil. Children use magnifying glasses to search for minibeasts in the garden and use books provided by staff to extend their knowledge of insects.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from planned experiences that support their understanding of healthy eating. For example, pre-school children use their senses when they explore and handle a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. This allows children to express their likes and dislikes and to try new tastes.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children well. They use observation and assessment to monitor children's learning and to help them understand what children know and can do. Staff ensure that children take part in a wide range of activities that follow their interests and generally support their development. However, not all staff use what they know about children's development to support and challenge them during activities. n The nursery is highly inclusive. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff identify gaps in children's learning and work closely with external agencies to create targeted support plans. This ensures that staff find the best way to support individual children's needs. n Overall, staff promote children's communication and language development well. They talk to children and introduce new words, such as scoop, to help extend their vocabulary. Children with communication difficulties are supported to use

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need to do better?

visual aids to help them make choices. Staff repeat and model words to further support their language skills. However, occasionally, during group times, staff do not fully support children's understanding or listening skills. For example, staff sing songs quickly, and children do not have the time to hear the words clearly

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need to do better?

23 February 2023 or to join in with the singing. n Children are supported to develop their independence skills. Staff have established routines to support their personal hygiene. For example, children know where to find tissues and independently wipe their noses. They know to pinch their noses as they wipe and celebrate their achievements when they do this successfully. n Children learn about the world they live in and visit places within the community. Staff plan visits to a local park and Lincoln Cathedral, and children benefit from trips to Lincoln Castle. The nursery also works with a local nursing home to share experiences. Children visit the residents to sing songs and create artwork for them. n Parents are happy with the support children receive. They report that their children are making good progress and love attending the nursery. Staff use a variety of methods to communicate with parents. For example, parents receive

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need to do better?

daily updates about their children's day. They complete parent questionnaires and have access to online information about their children's progress. Staff discuss children's development and share the next steps in learning. They arrange stay-and-play sessions, which allows parents the opportunity to join their children in the nursery and gather ideas for activities to support their children's learning at home. n The management team works hard to ensure that staff are well supported. Staff access training courses to promote children's safety. For instance, they complete paediatric first-aid and safeguarding training. Peer observations and regular staff meetings allow staff to share information and further develop their practice. This has a positive impact on the experiences children receive to support their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff show a good awareness of their role in keeping children safe. They understand the signs and symptoms of abuse. Staff know how to identify the signs that a child may be exposed to extremist views or radical ideas. They are aware of the reporting procedures should there be a concern about a child's welfare. Staff carry out regular risk assessments to ensure the equipment and premises are safe and secure. Managers follow robust recruitment procedures and monitor the ongoing suitability of staff working with children.

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should:

n help all staff to understand how best to support children to achieve as much as they can throughout the nursery

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should:

23 February 2023 n develop ways to enhance younger children's communication and language, particularly during group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 253508 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10234433 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 33 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Portland Kindergarten Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01522 528524 Date of previous inspection 28 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

The Portland Kindergarten Limited registered in 1990 and is located in Lincoln. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one holds a qualification at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8.15am until 5.30pm. 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together and discussed the learning intention for children and how the environment is arranged. n The manager and inspector observed and evaluated an activity. n The inspector observed children of all ages throughout the nursery. n The inspector held discussions with staff during the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents. n Relevant documentation were reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks and safeguarding policies and procedures.

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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

23 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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