Camelot Kids

Inspection of Camelot Kids 35 Lewes Road, EASTBOURNE, East Sussex BN21 2BU

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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

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, learn and develop well in this nurturing nursery. They benefit greatly from the care given by staff, who accept children's differences and value each child as an individual. For example, children who find it difficult to come into the nursery are given time to settle with a member of staff in a calming sensory space. Children make friends and quickly become part of the nursery 'family'. Babies form trusting relationships with the attentive staff and show they feel safe. For example, they practise walking from one member of staff to another and laugh when they succeed. Older children show a strong sense of belonging as they sit happily together to sing 'hello' at group times and enjoy a story.

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The provision is good

Children choose from a range of well-thought-out activities in the inviting environment. This is carefully planned to encourage conversation and independent exploration through activities that spark curiosity and interest. For example, children explore the smell and feel of different herbs. They practise the skill of cutting them and discover what happens when they add herbs to play dough. Children make strong connections between learning as they play. They behave well and develop secure social skills and independence. Children are well prepared for school.

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need to do better?

n Partnership with parents is a real strength of the nursery. The manager and staff know the families well. They consistently give parents advice when needed. For example, staff explain the delay that dummies can cause to speech. They send home 'chef bags' containing new ideas for meals to cook at home with children. Children take home books to encourage reading at home to further their literacy skills. Parents say their children have more confidence and talk more since attending this warm and friendly nursery. n Staff provide a wide range of activities that greatly expand children's experiences and opportunities for learning. For instance, children learn about the world around them as they go on outings or shopping trips. They regularly learn to cook food that they then eat for lunch or tea. Children grow their own vegetables, such as beans and tomatoes. Children talk about healthy food groups and know how to avoid germs by handwashing.

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need to do better?

n The manger and staff know the children well and monitor outcomes carefully. Children who may need additional support are identified quickly. The manager and staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children have the help they need. They use additional funding to give carefully targeted support for disadvantaged children, such as by providing specific resources, additional nursery sessions or meals. All children make good progress.

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need to do better?

28 April 2023 n Staff help children to recognise their feelings and understand their behaviour. They intervene calmly when children need support with this and give positive encouragement when children behave well or show that they are happy. Staff listen carefully and praise effort and achievement. This helps to develop children's self-esteem and lets them know that their feelings and views are important. n Children listen carefully to staff and happily follow their instructions. Staff use prompts, such as photo timetables and picture clues, to help children understand their day and feel secure. However, the morning routine involves several changes when all children are expected to stop what they are doing and sometimes wait too long for the next activity. This takes away time for sustained concentration on their play and learning. n Staff encourage children to be creative and develop their imaginations through

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need to do better?

their own choice of role play and art. Children explore real materials and mix different media. Staff tailor their teaching well to help children think and to add challenge. However, at times, activities planned are too challenging for younger children. As a result, they are not fully engaged and motivated to join in. n The manager is experienced and reflective. She shares her wealth of knowledge and clear ethos with the enthusiastic staff team. She monitors staff practice carefully and prioritises staff training. Staff benefit from very good, on-going opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and qualifications. Children's learning and development are significantly enhanced by the resulting staff expertise and confidence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff treat children's well-being as a priority. They attend training to keep their knowledge of safeguarding and first aid up to date. Staff know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The manager and staff discuss any additional support children or families may need, so that all staff can give the same continuity of care. Safe recruitment processes are used to help assure the suitability of staff to work with children. Children and staff practise emergency evacuation so they know what to do in case of a fire. The resources are well maintained, and the building is secure.

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should:

n review and improve the routines of the day to allow the maximum time for children to focus on their play and develop their learning n strengthen the planning system to help ensure activities for younger children are consistently appropriate and motivating for them.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY494256 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10280460 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 59 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Camelot Kids Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01323 725207 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Camelot Kids registered in 2015 in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The nursery opens from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Nine of the 11 staff are qualified at level 2 or 3. The nursery is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 Several parents spoke to the inspector during the inspection and she took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

28 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.

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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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