Meadow Nursery

Inspection of Meadow Nursery Dane Valley Road, Margate, Kent CT9 3RU

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

All children are settled, confident and very happy in the friendly and inviting nursery. Staff fully understand how to implement the curriculum to support children to develop their knowledge and learn new skills. This includes teaching children to independently carry out their own tasks, such as pouring their drinks at snack time. Children are eager to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, staff help children to learn about different ways to transport water, such as using pipettes during water play. Children enjoy exploring art. For instance, they investigate different ways to make marks, such as using toy animals to create patterns.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models and all children know what is expected of them. Children are polite and behave well. They are kind and understanding towards each other's differing needs and abilities. All children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They discuss healthy food choices at snack time. They squeeze oranges to make fresh juice to drink and talk about the benefits of vitamin C. Children develop good physical skills. For example, they confidently learn about the different ways they can move their bodies during yoga activities. Staff teach them how to use challenging equipment safely, such as climbing walls.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff establish very secure and trusting relationships with all children. They get to know their individual personalities and what makes them unique. Staff fully understand all children's interests, needs and abilities. This helps children to feel valued and have a good sense of belonging. n Staff support all children to make good progress and children have a positive attitude towards their learning. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff liaise closely with other agencies, such as speech and language therapists. They observe children together and implement helpful strategies that support children, such as visual prompts. n Overall, children are engaged in their learning experiences. However, staff do not always organise large-group activities to ensure that all children can focus. For example, story time is a little chaotic and some children become distracting

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need to do better?

to those who wish to concentrate and listen to the story. Therefore, at times, some children do not get the most out of their large-group learning experiences. n Overall, staff support children to communicate with confidence. They demonstrate this as they provide meaningful running commentary for children as they play. However, at times, staff ask good questions and do not give children time to think and respond. Staff answer themselves or rapidly move on to the next question. Therefore, children do not have consistent opportunities to build on their good communication skills even further.

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need to do better?

6 June 2023 n All staff, including the manager, establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak very highly of them. Staff keep parents well involved and informed in their children's learning and achievements. They share helpful ideas and resources with parents to help them to support their children's learning at home. This includes books and puppets. Staff support families very well. For example, they share information and offer advice, such as how to promote children's mental health and well-being. n The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide. She routinely observes staff teaching children and provides them with constructive and helpful feedback. Staff evaluate their practice daily and discuss how well they have engaged children. They use their findings to support their future practice. n All staff attend regular training. They have learned about how to manage any

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need to do better?

unwanted behaviour. This includes specific aspects of children's development, such as helping them to self-regulate their emotions. This has supported staff to know how to manage behaviour in a safe and appropriate way. n Staff help children to develop a good understanding of other people and traditions from around the world. For example, children learn about different festivals, such as Diwali. n The manager and staff use additional funding well to support the children's individual needs. They have purchased resources to build on children's interests and develop their skills. This includes physical play equipment, such as steps to encourage children to climb safely.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure and confident knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection. This includes knowing what signs and symptoms of abuse to be aware of that may highlight a potential concern. Staff know who they would contact to seek advice and how to raise and follow up any issues. This includes knowing how to manage any allegations raised against staff. Staff carry out thorough risk assessments to help to minimise any potential risks. All staff know how to swiftly and appropriately manage any accidents that may occur. Staff deploy themselves effectively and supervise children well.

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should:

n review the organisation of large-group activities to ensure that all children remain fully engaged n ensure that staff give children enough time to think and then respond to questions to build on their developing communication skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY330525 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10288800 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 25 Number of children on roll 60

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Name of registered person

Millmead Children's Centre Partnership Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01843282247 Date of previous inspection 1 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Meadow Nursery registered in 2006. It is part of the Millmead Children's Centre in Margate, Kent. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 4pm. The nursery employs nine members of staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or above. This includes six members of staff who have an early years qualification at level 3, one member of staff who has an early years qualification at level 4 and one member of staff who holds a qualification at level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The inspector had a learning walk with the manager and the deputy manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n The inspector reviewed written documentation, including safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the manager, children, parents and staff at convenient times and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned outdoor activity, focusing on the quality of communication.

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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

6 June 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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