Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool

Inspection of Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool Powder Mill Lane, Dartford DA1 1NT

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy warm and stimulating interactions with staff. Younger children watch with fascination as staff show them how to move and shake their pom-poms in different ways. This encourages children to develop their physical skills. Older children participate in group activities where they learn about the life cycle of caterpillars. Staff skilfully extend this activity so that children can hear new vocabulary, such as 'ginormous'. Children are invited to think of their own words to share with their friends. This helps to build on what children already know.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff respond promptly to support children to manage their behaviour. They remind children of the 'golden rules' and this supports children to understand how they are expected to behave at nursery. This has helped staff to reduce the noise levels in each room, which enables children to fully benefit from a quieter and calmer learning environment.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are happy and engaged in their learning environment. They demonstrate friendly behaviour towards their friends as they sit in the book corner and read to each other. Children also enjoy interactions with staff. They listen intently as adults read to them. They point to the pictures in the book and share their ideas with staff. This supports children to develop their communication and language skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, leaders have made significant improvements to the organisation of the nursery. They have addressed the weaknesses identified and continue to evaluate the quality of the provision. This helps them to continually enhance the nursery experience for children and their families. n Leaders effectively monitor staff practice. They observe the teaching in each room and give staff feedback that identifies strengths and areas for improvement. This enables leaders to support staff to continue to develop the quality of their teaching. n Staff develop secure bonds with their key children. They gather information from parents before they start, which helps them to know what children like and where they are in their development. This enables staff to assist children to settle and plan for their learning. However, on occasion, the learning targets that staff identify for children do not precisely match children's age and stage of

p.2

need to do better?

development. This means that, at times, activities do not build on and extend children's learning as effectively. n Staff generally encourage children to be independent in a number of ways. For example, children gradually learn to serve their own food and pour their own drinks during mealtimes. Leaders have installed 'self-care stations' in each room so that children can clean their own faces. However, staff do not consistently

p.2

need to do better?

Preschool 5 July 2023 help children to learn how to complete these simple self-care tasks themselves. For instance, after lunch, some children have dirty faces, or staff wipe children's faces for them. This does not fully support children to develop an understanding of how to take care of their own needs. n Staff supervise children well. They notice when children are not engaged, and support them to find an activity that interests them, such as listening to a story or doing a puzzle. This helps children to benefit from the many learning opportunities available to them so they continue to make good progress in their overall development. n The manager has considered ways to promote home learning. For instance, she has introduced a lending library and home learning packs. Children enjoy choosing what they would like to take home. Parents say that they have benefited from these new initiatives, and this helps to promote consistent

p.2

need to do better?

support for children. n Leaders and staff provide effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They communicate with parents when they identify children's emerging needs. Leaders and staff work with other agencies involved in each child's development so that they can provide consistent support. For instance, they coordinate with other professionals to implement strategies such as 'interest boxes', and this helps to promote children's communication and language skills. n All parents say that they are happy with the nursery. They have noticed huge improvements since the last inspection and their children are benefiting from the changes that have been made. Parents feel that their children are prepared for when they move on to school.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff, including agency and bank staff, have a good safeguarding knowledge. They recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and know the procedures to escalate concerns to the appropriate agencies. They would feel confident raising concerns to leaders. Staff are happy working at the setting and feel supported by leaders. There are robust systems in place to check the continued suitability of staff. Leaders and staff risk assess the resources available to children, and identify anything that could be a choking hazard. This helps to keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n develop staff's understanding of how to identify precise learning targets and plan more effectively for the next stage of children's learning n support staff to more consistently promote children's independence skills, to help

p.3

should:

Preschool 5 July 2023 them carry out self-care tasks for themselves.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY544213 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10279437 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 175 Number of children on roll 196 Name of registered person Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01332 411815 Date of previous inspection 2 February 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Bright Horizons Springfield Lodge Dartford Day Nursery and Preschool re-registered in 2017. It is located in Dartford, Kent. The nursery is open each weekday from 7am to 6.30pm, for 52 weeks of the year, excluding bank holidays. There are 38 members of staff, of whom 33 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspectors viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager completed a learning walk of the nursery with the inspectors and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

Preschool 5 July 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7