Little Explorers Kindergarten The Hive

Inspection of Little Explorers Kindergarten The Hive Unit 2 & 3 The Hive, Northfleet, GRAVESEND, Kent DA11 9DE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are safe, confident and incredibly happy at this inspiring kindergarten setting. They receive the utmost care and attention from the passionate staff. Children form extremely warm and loving relationships with their key members of staff. This supports children to feel safe and emotionally secure, and enable them to engage well and benefit from all of the many experiences on offer.

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The provision is outstanding

Children gain an excellent awareness of their local community and are fully involved in community life, which helps them to develop a strong sense of belonging. For example, they help to plant and maintain the flowers in the community flower beds.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff have the highest expectations of what all children can achieve. They use their knowledge of the children to keep them focused on their learning, both inside and outside the building. Staff never miss an opportunity to model good manners.

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The provision is outstanding

Children show resilience and are very adventurous in their physical play. Staff are always close by to support children, if necessary. They provide guidance to help children to consider the safety of themselves and others, such as when using the steps in and out of the gardens. Children are extremely confident in their own abilities. They take and manage calculated risks. They carefully consider the space available and the whereabouts of their friends as they explore different ways and speeds to move their whole bodies.

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need to do better?

n The manager and deputy manager are highly ambitious for the achievements of all children. They have carefully considered the content and structure of the educational programme. Staff demonstrate a passion and determination to achieve excellent outcomes for all children. Their holistic approach to teaching is highly engaging and gives children rich and meaningful learning opportunities. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive outstanding support and flourish in their development. The manager and staff go above and beyond to ensure that children get every possible resource available to them. For instance, staff ensure that other professionals support children on site. This means that all children get the support they need to reach their full potential. n Staff provide an abundance of opportunities for children to master skills and be

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need to do better?

confident learners. For example, older children confidently negotiate their ideas as they precisely create large structures. Staff commentate to introduce key words and expand children's vocabulary. They ask thought-provoking questions

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need to do better?

18 May 2023 as children create with a range of vegetables that originate from different parts of the world, such as cassava from Africa. As a result, children are inquisitive learners, who have high levels of focus and concentration during activities. n High priority is given to the development of children's small-muscle movements, as part of a sequenced curriculum towards excellent early writing skills. Children enjoy manipulating play dough, which they push into different herbs to make its smell. They later move on to using pasta shapes pushed into potatoes and other vegetables to create their much loved story characters from their favourite books. Children include intricate details during their creations, demonstrating precision and strength in using their hands and finger tips. n Staff are highly skilled in developing children's communication and language. Children's excellent vocabulary grows rapidly. Staff teach children new words,

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need to do better?

then create reasons to use them during planned and spontaneous activities. For example, children apply the newly introduced words 'amazingly smooth' when exploring and describing ice cubes. n Partnership working with parents is exceptional. Parents say that staff go 'above and beyond' and their children thrive and make excellent progress. They are well informed about their children's progress and appreciate the opportunities to attend the setting themselves. Staff provide parents with home learning suggestions, such as learning resources and story bags, including audio stories, to further enhance children's love of reading at home. n Staff feel extremely well supported and genuinely cared for by the manager. She understands and accommodates their professional and personal needs to ensure that they are supported to manage a healthy work/life balance. In addition, staff are celebrated and rewarded. The manager recognises and encourages their

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need to do better?

contribution to ever-increasing quality and standards.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are fully committed to ensuring that all children are safe and secure. Staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and maintain this, such as by undertaking regular training that increases their awareness of a wide range of safeguarding topics and concerns. They know the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation against a member of staff. The provider carries our extremely robust recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are fully vetted and suitable to work with children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489888 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10285521 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Little Explorers Kindergarten Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07932 061 880 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Explorers Kindergarten The Hive registered in 2015 and is in Northfleet, Kent. It is one of two settings owned by the same provider. The setting offers care from 9am to midday, Monday to Friday, during term time only. There are six members of staff, five of whom have relevant childcare qualifications from level 2 to level 5. The provider 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 pre-school 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 The inspector spent time talking with the manager, parents, staff and children. n The manager and inspector conducted a joint observation to evaluate the quality of teaching. n The inspector observed children participating in activities inside and outside. n The manager conducted a learning walk with the inspector to discuss the curriculum and how they organise the provision.

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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

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.

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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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