The Old Station Nursery Whitstable

Inspection of Choochoos Day Nursery Whitstable Railway Station, Railway Avenue, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QS

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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 and babies explore happily at this nursery. They learn to be independent and choose from a selection of interesting activities and resources. Children behave well. Staff are good role models and provide positive praise to help children gain a sense of achievement. Children are encouraged to use good manners. For example, older children thank the nursery cook for their 'lovely dinner'.

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The provision is good

All children make good progress in their physical development. Staff provide a wide range of opportunities to extend children's core strength, balance and coordination both indoors and outside. For instance, babies confidently negotiate the sloped garden and delight as they mount the steps to use the slide. Young children operate bikes, throw and catch balls, and roll hoops in the garden. Older children role play on the large pirate ship climbing frame as they walk the plank and swing from the rope.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages love to listen to staff read. Older children excitedly predict what might happen next as they become immersed in the plot of a familiar story. Babies snuggle on staff's laps as they eagerly anticipate turning the pages. Children access a wide and diverse range of books. They develop important literacy skills that prepare them for their future learning.

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need to do better?

n Children have free choice to decide what they want to play with. Staff deliver activities that cover all areas of learning, one to one and in small groups. However, at times some children move between activities or do not have as much confidence to get involved. Staff do not consistently identify when these children could benefit from further encouragement to maintain their focus and make the most of the learning opportunities. n Staff give the development of children's speaking skills high priority, especially when they are learning English as an additional language. Staff use every opportunity to clearly emphasise keywords within their interactions and model new language. Staff use some Makaton signing with all children to support communication and language skills. Children make good progress. However, staff do not always make the most of their interactions to fully extend children's learning even further.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide effective support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They identify gaps in children's development at an early stage and act promptly to address them. Staff plan precisely to help children to achieve key steps. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure that children receive the specialist help or support that they require. n Children are provided with a wealth of experiences to broaden their

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need to do better?

30 March 2023 understanding of the world around them. Staff regularly plan outings in the local community. They are linked to children's interests and provide them with new experiences, such as visiting the harbour, library and local shops. Staff invite parents into the nursery to share their occupations with the children. Children gain a sense of belonging within their local community. n Children's mathematical knowledge is supported well. Staff help children to notice numbers in the environment and count throughout their activities and routines. Children learn to recognise numerals and use positional language in conversations. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive at this nursery. They highlight the careful care and attentiveness their children receive from staff, and state that they feel their children's needs are met well. Parents praise the continuous communication they

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need to do better?

receive about their children's learning and the support staff give to help children progress at home. n Children's individuality is successfully valued and celebrated. Staff provide an environment that promotes inclusion and equality. For instance, staff display positive images of children's different cultures and languages spoken at home. This helps to encourage discussion about differences and creates a sense of belonging and inclusion. n The manager is motivated and enthusiastic. Regular self-evaluation and effective teamworking contribute to a well-organised provision. There are good opportunities for staff's professional development. For example, staff access a range of training topics and support from the manager.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager is knowledgeable about safeguarding and child protection. She ensures that her staff team are well trained to understand and recognise the signs and symptoms that a child might be at risk of abuse. Staff are aware of how to record and report any concerns they might have about a child or the conduct of adults working with children. Leaders follow effective recruitment and induction procedures. These ensure that staff are safe and suitable to work with children.

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should:

n continue to improve teaching further to enrich children's learning experiences n help staff to identify when less confident children need more support in joining in activities and developing their knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2630365 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10281150 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 87 Number of children on roll 106 Name of registered person The Old Station Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01227280077 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Choochoos Day Nursery re-registered in 2021. It is located in Whitstable, Kent. The nursery is open five days a week from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children age two, three and four years. There are 19 members of staff. Of these, nine staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and a further two hold qualifications at level 6 and one at level 2.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. They discussed what they most enjoy doing at nursery. 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 The inspector viewed written feedback from parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager.

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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

30 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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