Forest Park Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Forest Park Day Nursery & Pre-School Units 3 & 3a, Birchlands Business Centre, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5JH

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this exceptional nursery. Children and families are at the heart of everything the nursery does. Key persons build up strong bonds with children so that they feel safe and secure in their care. Staff have a primary focus of supporting children's emotional health, which begins in the baby room. They recognise the positive impact that children's well-being has on all aspects of children's learning and development.

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The provision is outstanding

All children make outstanding progress from their starting points. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The highly ambitious curriculum greatly benefits children with their communication, independence, and social interactions. For example, babies shake instruments in time with nursery rhymes. They squeal with delight when sitting in trays of water. Staff teach them new vocabulary such as 'splash' and 'clap' as they happily play alongside other babies. Babies receive excellent care during their time in the baby room and, as a result, the transition into the next room is seamless.

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders have very high expectations for children's learning. Older children face exciting challenges, such as making their own story books which include their own ideas and characters. This is highly effective in helping children to feel valued and listened to and consequently has an extremely positive impact on children's self- esteem and confidence.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of independence throughout the nursery. For example, they quickly take responsibility for their own belongings when they arrive. Young children use cutlery to feed themselves and tidy away without being prompted to do so. Babies attempt to put away the toys that they have been playing with. Older children are keen to use the delightful 'animal' toilets that have picture cues to remind children the sequence of using the toilet. As a result, the majority of toddlers are out of nappies by the time they move on to the next room. n Partnerships with parents are exceptionally strong. Staff meet with parents daily to give feedback on their child's day. Parents mention that they are 'thrilled' to be able to enter the nursery at the end of the day to talk to staff and watch their child play. They describe the detail that goes into the 'fantastic' home-learning

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need to do better?

bags. Parents love the recipes books, pictures and games which help to support their child's learning at home. They mention that staff provide an exceptionally loving learning environment for their children, particularly those children with SEND. n Children receive outstanding high-quality interactions from the staff who care for

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need to do better?

7 March 2023 them and are well supported to develop their communication skills. Staff use sign language to aid communication and they patiently explain what it is that they are asking children to do. Babies are sung and read to and enjoy interactive music times where they learn how to count while playing. As a result, throughout the nursery children are very proficient and confident communicators. They go on to use a wide range of vocabulary during their play. n Leaders provide exemplary support for their staff team. Staff mention that the leaders go 'above and beyond' to make them feel valued and listened to. They describe how the leaders continue to support them outside of the nursery and provide treats to say thank you. Leaders encourage staff to undertake training in order to extend their area of interests, such as studying brain development in children and using sign language to help children to communicate.

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need to do better?

n Physical activity is a real strength in the nursery. All children have regular access to a delightful outside area that helps to support muscle development. Children run, jump and climb and throw balls through hoops. They exclaim, 'Yay! Did you see that? I did it!' to the inspector. Babies crawl and walk down steps, under the watchful eye of the staff team. They roll balls across the floor and engage in sensory activities which help build the small muscles in their hands. n Children's behaviour is excellent throughout the nursery. For example, children engaged in a superhero game declare that they all must use 'kind hands'. Children say 'please', 'thank you' and 'may I help you?' They willingly share resources with each other and cuddle children who have become upset. Staff are respectful and exceptionally attentive to the children. As a result, children respect both each other and themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a priority for everyone at the nursery. All staff have a secure knowledge on how to keep children safe from harm and have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding issues such as the dangers of extreme views and behaviours. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a colleague's behaviour. Leaders implement stringent procedures to ensure that all staff are safe to be in the presence of children. They ensure that staff's safeguarding knowledge is updated regularly. The premises both inside and outside are checked regularly for hazards. There is robust collection procedure in place to ensure that children are safe when leaving the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY468185 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10276664 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 82 Number of children on roll 103 Name of registered person Braidwood, Claire

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reference number

Telephone number 01892 512313 Date of previous inspection 26 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Forest Park Day Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2013. It opens five days a week, all year round. Opening times are from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. One of the managers has early years professional status and 16 of the other staff have appropriate qualifications in childcare at level 2 or above. The nursery receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 setting. n The managers and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector considered the written and verbal views of the parents. n The inspector spoke to children throughout the inspection and gathered their views on the nursery and staff.

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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

7 March 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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