AKS Baby & Toddler Room

Inspection of AKS Baby & Toddler Room AKS Nursery & Preparatory School, King Edward Avenue, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire FY8 1DR

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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

Children flourish in this wonderful and engaging environment. Greeted by friendly staff, children separate easily from their parents. They are eager to start the day and explore the vast range of experiences on offer. The passionate staff go above and beyond to ensure the child is at the heart of the learning environment. They interact sensitively, responding to babies' gestures and babbles. Staff encourage young babies to explore their senses using natural materials, such as the smell and feel of spring flowers. Older babies navigate obstacles to support their developing physical skills. They practise climbing over, under and through climbing equipment to gain confidence in their movements.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have high expectations for all children who attend. They promote resilience and perseverance, offering encouragement for children to keep on trying. As such, children become confident, autonomous learners who do not give up easily. They relish the challenge of new activities and delight in their success. Staff model appropriate behavioural expectations, teaching children to be kind and courteous to their friends. They remind children of the rules, such as for using 'kind hands,' when playing with other children. Children enjoy sharing stories and joining in with their favourite rhymes, especially when joined by the head of nursery playing the guitar.

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need to do better?

n Leaders design and implement a high-quality curriculum which continually builds on children's developmental milestones. Leaders focus on small, measurable targets for children to achieve. The curriculum promotes the development of character and resilience through activities and experiences. It feeds into the higher ethos of the school, which helps to bridge transitions exceptionally well. n Leaders and staff have high aspirations for all children. Staff are passionate and knowledgeable. Their interactions are excellent and engage all children in their learning. Leaders scrutinise assessment data to identify where children's development is secure. They swiftly identify and address any gaps in children's learning, or delays in development. Consequently, all children make exceptional progress. n Leaders and staff prioritise for communication and language across the setting. Interaction between staff and children is exemplary. Staff respond to babbles

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need to do better?

and vocalisations in younger babies. They ask questions and narrate their play. As such, children learn the importance of conversation and effective communication. n Leaders and staff meticulously plan for the health and well-being of children. They eat freshly prepared, nutritious meals and follow a specific weaning menu for young babies. Staff manage rest and sleep times safely and agree routines

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need to do better?

21 March 2023 with parents. They plan experiences to ensure that children have opportunities to develop the necessary skills to become movers. This helps children to be healthy, and develop to their full potential. n Staff provide children with a wide range of opportunities to help them become aware of other people, their local community and the wider world. They go on walks with children to the beach and the nearby lake to explore nature and signs of seasonal change. They help children take part in celebrations, such as 'Random Acts of Kindness' week. They give out bunches of flowers to members of the community on their walks. As such, children learn respect and compassion from a very early stage. n Care practices are highly effective. Staff encourage independence from an early age, with children supported to do things for themselves. Staff give verbal encouragement to children to solve problems and find their own solutions. This

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need to do better?

supports children to learn resilience and perseverance. As such, they are already becoming autonomous and confident learners. n Leaders and staff are highly reflective. They strive for excellence and evaluate their practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Leaders value the staff team and place high emphasis on improving their professional development. They support staff to ensure that they are happy and their workload is minimised to support their well-being. n Parents are extremely positive about the setting, commenting that staff go 'above and beyond.' They complement the care and education their children receive from 'nurturing and knowledgeable' staff. Communication with parents is a real strength. Staff share individualised information for each child. They keep parents very well informed of progress and how to further support learning at home. As such, children are secure in their learning and extremely well prepared

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders implement in-depth and highly effective safeguarding procedures and practices. All staff are fully trained and aware of their responsibilities in terms of keeping children safe. They all know the procedures for reporting and who to go to if they are concerned about the well-being of a child. All equipment and resources are risk assessed and are well maintained to reduce risk to children. Children learn how to safely navigate equipment to reduce the risk of accidents. Leaders and staff encourage children to maintain personal hygiene practices to keep them safe from infection and cross-contamination.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2624458 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10276067 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 17 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person United Church Schools Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01253784110 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

AKS Baby and Toddler Room registered in 2021 to provide early years care and education for children under two years. The nursery forms part of an independent school, AKS Lytham, and is located in Lytham St Annes in Lancashire. It is open each weekday, throughout the year, from 8am to 6pm. There are eight members of staff. Of these, six hold recognised early years qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 6.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of 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

21 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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