Curious Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool Crookham Village

Inspection of Curious Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool Crookham Village Curious Explorers Day Nursery & Preschool Crookham Village, The Street, Crookham Village, Crookham Village GU51 5SG

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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 are extremely happy to enter the nursery. They feel safe and secure and separate from their parents with ease. Children gravitate towards the friendly and kind staff. They build strong and positive relationships with their key persons, who are extremely responsive to children's individual needs. Children experience an inspirational indoor and outdoor environment. They enjoy daily physical play, fresh air and exercise. For example, they relish using the resources outside in a variety of challenging ways and share their enjoyment of the forest school activities, which are a walk away. This helps to build up their stamina, strength and coordination. Children are extremely engaged in play and display high levels of self-motivation and commitment to learning. They behave exceptionally well, act on instructions and show respect for their peers and staff alike.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff prioritise preparing children for their future learning and school readiness. This focus is given a high priority throughout the nursery, from babies to pre- school. Staff expertly implement strategies that are age-appropriate to prepare children for their next stage in life. For example, they successfully encourage babies to separate from parents and settle in, challenge toddlers' communication and language skills and extend pre-schoolers' independent skills. All children make excellent progress, including children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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need to do better?

n Staff have an exceptional understanding of the overall curriculum within each room. They know children extremely well and plan around their interests. Staff focus on encouraging children's communication, language and social skills, as precisely identified as an area for development for children following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They engage children in deep and meaningful conversations at every opportunity. For example, staff enthusiastically interact with children during play and ask questions to build on their understanding of the stories they read together. n Staff know children exceptionally well. They plan an environment for all children of every age to thrive and achieve the most they can. The manager and management team expertly continue to improve outcomes for children. For example, they closely monitor how staff implement the curriculum to ensure it is robust and they give high priority to staff's professional development, such as by

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need to do better?

offering regular training. During regular meetings, staff discuss how they can enhance the learning outcomes for children to challenge them further in their development. For example, a range of extra-curricular activities are available, such as yoga and language sessions, to further support learning. n Staff are extremely happy, kind and incredibly passionate about the children in

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need to do better?

11 May 2023 their care. They are eager to discuss children's progress and show genuine pride in their achievements. Parents compliment staff on their dedication. They say that staff are 'caring and nurturing' and that their children are 'always happy to go to nursery'. Parents state how they are always kept up to date with children's progress and development. They say that interventions are quickly put in place if needed, for example to support children with speech delay effectively. Parents say that they can see huge progress in their children's development as a result. n Children have a great understanding of how to care for themselves from as early as babies. For example, babies are aware of the daily routine and attempt to wipe their faces with wipes after snack time. Staff slowly and sensitively introduce children in the toddler room to toilet training. They fully support this process through to the pre-school rooms. They work in partnership with parents

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need to do better?

to implement strategies to help children in this next stage of their learning. Children's independence skills and readiness for school are consistently supported exceptionally well by staff, who continually encourage children to build on their existing skills. n The manager and management team have high aspirations and fully support staff. They go above and beyond to ensure staff's well-being is a priority, for example by engaging extra support and well-being help from outside professionals, if needed. Staff say how they can approach any member of the management team at any time. They are clearly happy in their roles, form a strong bond with each other and are a close-knit team. Staff interact seamlessly and share ideas and thoughts about the children in their care. The manager and management team respect the staff and their wealth of knowledge. This is clear to see in the exceptional good behaviour from the children in this wonderfully

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need to do better?

happy, nurturing and inspirational learning environment.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an extremely secure understanding of how to safeguard children and the importance of their role in this process. They confidently identify the varied signs and symptoms of abuse and where to refer concerns about adults to. Staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the process to follow if they have a concern about a child's welfare. Staff can confidently explain where to find the safeguarding policies and procedures and contact details for other agencies if they need to refer to these or refresh their memory. The manager is the designated safeguarding lead and demonstrates an excellent knowledge of her role. Staff are all aware of her role. Robust safer recruitment processes are implemented. Staff strive to ensure children receive care in an extremely safe and secure environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2625167 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10280934 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 73 Number of children on roll 109 Name of registered person Curious Explorers Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01252 988 040 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Curious Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool Crookham Village registered in 2021. It is located in Crookham Village, near Fleet, Hampshire. The nursery is open each weekday from 7am to 6pm. The nursery employs 11 members of staff, all of whom hold recognised early years qualifications. The nursery also employs a number of apprentices. The nursery receives funding to provide free 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed what they want children to learn. n Children and staff spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their verbal and written views on the setting with the inspector. 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 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

11 May 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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