Barbies Footsteps

Inspection of Barbies Footsteps The L E A D Centre, Dane Valley Road, St. Peters, BROADSTAIRS, Kent CT10 3JJ

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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 incredibly happy and settled at this exemplary nursery. Friendly and nurturing staff greet every family and child warmly at drop-off time. The children eagerly rush off to their room or forest school to start their day. Staff go above and beyond to ensure that they know each family and child well. These close relationships are evident in every room. Children thrive from the personalised one- to-one support they receive from their key person. These relationships help children to feel safe and emotionally secure.

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The provision is outstanding

The manager and staff are highly ambitious for all children to develop a love of learning and achieve well. This is consistent across the nursery. Staff are proud of each child's progress and achievements. They celebrate every milestone, big and small, with the child and their family. Children are very friendly and behave well as they seek adventures in the wonderful outside learning space. For example, a large bucket turns into a boat travelling to London to visit the zoo. Children talk about the animals that they are going to see and how long it will take to get there. Staff sensitively support children to engage deeply in their learning for long periods.

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need to do better?

n The manager and leadership team are inspirational. Their passion for making sure every child receives the best quality education is infectious and is shared by staff. Staff say that they love working at the nursery. They have highly effective supervisions that focus on their well-being and professional development. The passion and enthusiasm shown by staff benefit children's experiences greatly. n Parents and carers report that staff go 'above and beyond' in everything that they do. They organise parent support groups on subjects such as starting school and behaviour management. Staff build excellent relationships with families. This provides children with a consistent approach to their care and education. n Staff provide children with rich experiences to learn about their own culture and explore different families and communities. For example, they explore how to care for different hair types and try on head scarfs and saris. This develops

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need to do better?

children's character and their understanding of what makes them unique. They are ready for life in modern Britain. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is excellent. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) swiftly intervenes if children need further help. Small daily intervention groups focus on building key skills, for example listening and attention. Funding is used effectively to ensure that children who need support achieve the best possible outcomes. n Older children use a registration board to sign themselves into their room. They place their name under an image of how they are feeling. Staff then use books

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need to do better?

15 June 2023 and puppets to talk to the children about their well-being. Children are confident to manage their own feelings and behaviours, supported by staff. n Staff expertly create a well-sequenced curriculum that successfully builds on what children know and can do. For example, children in the baby room have fun as they explore jelly using spoons and scoops. Staff encourage toddlers to engage in more complex and precise activities, such as using tweezers to pick up cereals. By the time children move into the pre-school room they are confident in using knives safely to cut up vegetables. The excellent support that children receive on their journey through the nursery equips them with the control and coordination they need in preparation for writing. n Staff's interactions with children are excellent. Staff expose children to a wide breath of vocabulary. In forest school, children talk about the vegetables that

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need to do better?

they are growing. They learn new words such as 'seed pod', 'mange tout' and 'runner bean'. They taste peas and describe them as 'small' and 'sweet tasting'. Children use new language in their conversations. Their language and communication skills develop rapidly. n There is a consistent, high standard of teaching across the nursery. Children are incredibly independent in all aspects of their play and self-care. Babies feed themselves and older children pour their own drinks. Children tidy up the garden as they leave so that it is ready for another group to enjoy. The independent skills developed make sure that children are ready for school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The leadership team has created a culture of safeguarding throughout the nursery. This places children's safety and well-being at the highest priority. All staff have undertaken safeguarding training, including specialist training for those working with babies. They can recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report concerns. The designated safeguarding lead works closely with other professionals to ensure that children and families quickly access support that they need. Children learn to assess and manage risks during their adventures in the outdoor play area and forest school. There is a strict recruitment process that checks the suitability of all staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY469690 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10289593 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 80 Number of children on roll 122 Name of registered person Pilcher, Barbara

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reference number

Telephone number 01843602189 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Barbies Footsteps registered in 2013 and is situated in the Broadstairs area of Kent. It is one of two nurseries owned by the same provider. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for most of the year. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are 25 staff, including the provider. Of these, 15 hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and three hold a qualification at level 2. One member of staff holds an early years qualification at level 5 and the deputy manager has achieved early years teacher status.

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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 their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy 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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation outside with a group of children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting.

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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

15 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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