Activeplay Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Activeplay Nursery and Preschool London House, 10-14 High Street, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne ME10 2AB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are very happy and settled throughout the day. Staff form good relationships with children and get to know their individual personalities. Children enjoy each other's company and make up games as they play in the garden.

p.2

The provision is good

Children engage well in learning and often return to activities throughout the day that spark their interest. For example, children mix a range of herbs and spices with dough for a sensory experience. They roll different shapes and pretend to make pizza and birthday cake. The staff work hard to create an environment that is engaging and interesting, to help children's learning. For example, they review and adapt what is available based on children's interests. Children behave very well. Staff rarely have to give guidance and children understand agreed rules. For instance, they understand how to use the timer when they have a turn with the large tablet, and know when their turn has finished.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy freshly prepared meals together in the dining room. Staff work with parents to understand what children like to eat. Children with allergies are well catered for. Children enjoy the opportunity to be independent, and use their skills well to serve their food and use cutlery.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff value children's opinions and use these well as they plan activities and support children's learning. For example, children discuss their interest in snails, and staff help them explore the garden to find them. They talk about the shells and where the snails may have gone. Children gain confidence to share their thoughts and interests, and know that their views will be valued. n The manager and staff review their practice regularly to help make ongoing improvements to the setting. For example, they have recently rearranged the rooms and combined the ages of children. Children now have the opportunity to flow between rooms and play with a wider age range of children. This has had a positive impact on children's behaviour and overall development. The provider, however, has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event as required, this event being the absence of the nursery owner for an extended period following an

p.2

need to do better?

injury. Following discussion, they now understand their responsibility to do so, and the event did not impact on the running of the setting. n Staff have strong relationships with parents and other settings that children attend. Parents comment that staff are approachable and their children have made good progress since starting. Staff make contact with other settings that children attend. They discuss children's development and share their knowledge of individual children. This helps children to receive continuity in their care and learning.

p.2

need to do better?

26 April 2023 n The manager supports the staff well, and the staff are happy. They comment that they are able to share how they feel during one-to-one supervisions and during staff meetings. Staff value the opportunity to take part in training. For example, they have recently developed their knowledge about online safety and how to support different ages of children. However, although the management team is aware that staff require additional support to help children who show an interest in letters, this is not yet in place. As a result, staff's teaching of early reading skills is not yet consistent. n Staff have a good understanding of children's development and are aware of children's strengths and how to support their progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to meet their needs. The special educational needs coordinator works with staff to help identify

p.2

need to do better?

where children may need support, and puts plans in place to help them succeed. All children gain the skills they need to be ready for the next stage of learning at school. n Children engage in new experiences beyond what they may have encountered already. For example, staff help them learn how to use a spirit level to find if something is balanced. Children use their good communication and language skills to listen to the explanation and try out making it level on different surfaces. n Staff sequence the curriculum to support children's continued development well. They have carefully considered what skills children need to move on to the next room. For example, babies and toddlers in the nursery room have the opportunity to learn to safely climb stairs. This key skill is needed for their move to the pre-school room based upstairs, as well as to support their physical development. However, sometimes, staff do not consistently implement all of

p.3

need to do better?

the curriculum plans to further support children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager places a high emphasis on creating a safeguarding culture. Staff attend regular training to ensure that have up-to-date safeguarding knowledge. They know the signs that show a child may be at risk of harm, including female genital mutilation and radicalisation. Staff know the internal procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. They know what steps to take if they need to escalate their concerns to wider services. Staff maintain a safe and suitable environment for children.

p.3

should:

n support staff to fully implement all curriculum plans, to ensure all children

p.3

should:

26 April 2023 consistently benefit from high-quality experiences and make even more progress in their learning n strengthen staff's knowledge about how to best support children's early reading skills for those who show an interest, to help them benefit from a consistent approach.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY263294 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10280013 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 54 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person Activeplay Nurseries Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01795 410811 Date of previous inspection 21 September 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Activeplay Nursery and Preschool registered in 2003 and is situated in Sittingbourne, Kent. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6.30pm, all year round. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 19 members of staff, including the provider and the cook. Of these, 17 hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 or above. This includes two members of staff who hold a level 4 qualification, one who has a foundation degree and two who hold early years professional status.

p.5

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 Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents to gain their views of the setting. n The manager and the inspector jointly observed an activity and discussed the impact of this on children's learning.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

26 April 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7