Curious Explorers Nursery and Preschool @ Bromstone

Inspection of Curious Explorers Nursery and Preschool @ Bromstone Bromstone Cp School, Rumfields Road, Broadstairs CT10 2PW

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

The leaders have made significant improvements to safeguarding, the quality of teaching and the organisation at the nursery since the last inspection. All staff play a part to ensure that children's protection and well-being are paramount. Leaders and staff are dedicated to providing an engaging and exciting environment for children to learn and progress.

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The provision is good

Children enter the nursery and seek out the warm and welcoming staff. They settle almost immediately as they are greeted with offers of appealing games and social interactions with friends. There are now vast opportunities to develop across all areas of learning. The environment has been adapted to create more purposeful learning spaces. For example, children love to visit the play dough creation station and the inviting home corner. The quiet spaces provided offer children the chance to calmly share a story with a friend. Due to the commitment of staff and the improvements made, children now remain at, and engage well in, activities for longer periods of time. They make independent choices in their play and enjoy the friendly interactions provided.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have made an extensive effort and show a genuine commitment to improving their standards since the last inspection. They have engaged very well with the support of the local authority. For example, they are now more thorough in ensuring they have a secure oversight of safeguarding and how they organise the provision to ensure that they best consider the needs of all children. This has had a genuine impact on the quality of care and education. Staff share that there have been significant improvements in the morale of all staff. n Overall, children behave well. Children are encouraged to use manners and are reminded that their actions have consequences. However, this is not always consistent among the staff team. At times during independent play, some children are not always given clear rules and boundaries to follow. n Independence has been made a clear development area for children of all ages.

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need to do better?

For example, children have access to their own plates, cups and cutlery. They make good attempts to chop and slice their own fruit and vegetables during snack time. Children learn to count the number of spaces available before seating themselves at the table. They learn the independence and decision- making skills they need for their future lives. n Staff plan appealing activities for children to enjoy. For example, an interest in dinosaurs leads to exciting imaginary play. Real leaves and sticks, as well as chia seeds, provide resources for children to imagine stomping their chosen dinosaur through swamps and forests. They learn new vocabulary as they explore the

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need to do better?

13 July 2023 different textures, such as 'squishy' and 'sludgy'. Children show fascination at the facts read out by adults during their interactions and sharing of associated books. Children develop their imaginations, creativity and a love of literacy from an early age. n Children of all ages enjoy the adult-led group time. For example, they sing songs, discuss the weather and learn simple sign language for communication. However, occasionally, the intent for the group activity is not always clear, and planning is less focused to ensure the best possible learning opportunities. However, this does not detract from the overall good quality of teaching from which children benefit. n Parents share that the setting has made partnerships stronger. Staff ensure that they offer flexible arrangements for discussions and feedback about children's needs and progress. Parents comment that children have been notably more

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need to do better?

willing and excited to arrive at the nursery for their session. They notice the progress made by children, particularly with their speech and language and improved confidence. n Leaders are dedicated to continually improving the setting. They ensure the well-being of staff and make sure that they have opportunities to evolve in their continuing professional development. For example, they have assigned a newly appointed special educational needs coordinator to oversee the arrangements for those children who need additional support. Leaders give staff well-being high priority, which means that they can give children and families the best possible care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff access a range of child protection training opportunities and make sure their knowledge and understanding are secure and up to date. They demonstrate a thorough knowledge of how to keep children safe from harm and know the children and families well. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. Staff check the environment regularly to ensure it is a safe place for children to play. They assess the environment effectively for potential risks and minimise any possible hazards.

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should:

n improve consistency in how staff support children's understanding of the rules and boundaries that help to keep them and their friends safe during their play n review and improve group time activities to ensure that children receive the best possible learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY501759 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10283037 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 26 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Antoniou-Gkikas, Lucia Michelle

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reference number

Telephone number 07789071320 Date of previous inspection 27 February 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Curious Explorers Nursery and Preschool @ Bromstone registered in 2016 and is one of two pre-schools owned by the provider. It operates from a separate building in the grounds of Bromstone School, in Broadstairs, Kent. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 3pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are nine members of staff staff, seven of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The manager has achieved early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. 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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector carried out observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

13 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.

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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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