Kensington Nursery

Inspection of Kensington Nursery Kensington Nursery School, 44-46 Kensington Avenue, Penwortham, PRESTON PR1 0EE

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children eagerly enter this homely nursery and are welcomed by staff who motivate their learning. Babies watch staff blow bubbles, then have a go. Older children use dough to make 'cakes' for the staff. They carefully put them in the role play oven and then count the candles. Children paint their hands and then enjoy seeing the mark it makes on paper. Children are inquisitive learners and demonstrate high levels of engagement.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop loving bonds with the professional staff team. Children who have not attended nursery for a while excitedly hug staff as they return. As children wake from a sleep, they are met with cuddles and reassurance. Nappy changing procedures are respectful. Staff considerately show children a nappy to prepare them for having their nappy changed soon. Children are supported to feel safe and relaxed.

p.2

The provision is good

Children follow the established routines and children of all ages are encouraged to be independent. Younger children find their own belongings and attempt to take off their own coats. Older children serve their own food and fill up their own water bottles. They show pride as they manage to put on their own socks and shoes independently. Children are confident in their own abilities and make good progress in all areas of their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children have many opportunities to develop their communication and language skills. Children laugh as staff name animals and make the animal sound. Staff listen with interest to children's ideas and ask questions to extend their thinking. Joyful singing can be heard throughout the nursery, and staff introduce puppets and instruments to enthuse children further. Children make good progress with their communication and language skills. n Staff are confident in how to develop children's physical skills. Babies have space to crawl and to take their first steps. Older children make obstacle courses for their friends. They challenge them to climb to the top and throw a beanbag into a box that they have placed on the floor. As children get out of breath, staff encourage them to feel their heart and discuss the impact on their bodies. Children benefit from spending a lot of time in the fresh air and engaging in

p.2

need to do better?

daily physical exercise. n Babies flock around staff as they see them pick up a book. Staff read with enthusiasm and children eagerly turn the pages and lift the flaps to reveal the pictures. Children giggle as they see their favourite animal on the page. Older children have access to non-fiction texts that they use to find out information. As children plant seeds, they look in a book about flowers to see what they will look

p.2

need to do better?

18 May 2023 like when they grow. Children retell familiar stories as they play. As they explore seeds, they talk about wanting to throw them so they will grow and they can climb the beanstalk 'like Jack and the beanstalk'. Children show an interest in books. n Staff enrich children's knowledge and sense of the world. As staff talk to children about minibeasts and where they live, children eagerly turn over logs to hunt for them. Children remind staff that they have not watered their plants and quickly go to collect water. They look with interest and notice that the seeds have 'sprouted'. Children show care and concern for living things. n Staff support children's health well. The nursery provides healthy and nutritious meals and children add lots of vegetables to their plates at mealtimes. Children talk about how these will help them to be 'strong'. Staff discuss the importance of keeping hydrated. Children regularly stop to have a drink and remind their

p.2

need to do better?

friends to drink after they finish a running game outside. n The manager ensures staff have access to training and support and feel valued by leaders. She has systems in place to monitor the quality of teaching. However, due to recent staff absences, she is working directly with the children to help to meet the required ratios. She is less able to observe staff regularly and provide feedback on their performance. There are minor weaknesses in practice and teaching that have not been identified and addressed. n Parental partnerships are strong. Parents state that the nursery is 'like an extended family'. They receive regular updates about their children's time at the nursery and their developmental progress. Parents state that their children settled quickly when they started at the nursery and feel that this is because of the supportive staff. They have noticed lots of progress with their children's social and communication development since they have been attending.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders provide staff with regular training and support to ensure they have a secure awareness of safeguarding. Staff are aware of the steps to take if they have any concerns about children or about the conduct of a colleague. Staff assess risk for all areas of the nursery to ensure the spaces are safe for the children. Older children learn how to assess risk for their own environment as they check for hazards before they go outside to play. Staff continuously monitor children who are sleeping and effectively implement safe sleeping procedures.

p.3

should:

n monitor the effectiveness of staff's professional development to raise the quality of teaching and practice to the highest level.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2691126 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10291172 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Townley House Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01772 749888 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Kensington Nursery registered in 2022. It is situated in Penwortham, Preston. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 leaders and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

18 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.

p.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6