RAFA Kidz RAF Leeming

Inspection of RAFA Kidz RAF Leeming RAFA Kidz, RAF Leeming, Northallerton, North Yorkshire DL7 9NJ

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy at this warm and friendly nursery. Staff demonstrate that children's safety, welfare and happiness are at the heart of everything they do. Babies and younger children learn together in a dedicated area of the nursery. Staff form close relationships with children, often sharing a cuddle and giggle together. Children are confident to freely access the wide range of resources on offer. Staff know their key children and family circumstances well. They know about children's sleeping and eating patterns and meet their care needs very well.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are engaged in carefully planned activities that staff extend throughout the day. For instance, children make marks in paint with hard pine cones and twigs. They then find soft leaves to experience the differing challenges this brings. Staff delight in children's achievements and steps in learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff ensure that children experience meaningful teaching across the seven areas of learning. The curriculum for communication and language is very effective. Staff build on the sounds and words that children already know. They use hand signs and actions daily in music and movement sessions. Children join in singing heartily with huge smiles. Staff hold attentive conversations with children and give them enough time to think and respond to their questions. This helps to build children's vocabulary, confidence and social skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children behave very well. Staff help each child to develop a good understanding of the behaviour and routines which they expect in the nursery. For example, they give children warning that they need to wash their hands before snack by singing a lively handwashing song. Older children enjoy being helpful. For instance, they help to wash up and dry dishes after snack. This helps children to feel a valued member of the nursery and supports their self-esteem and independence. n Staff support all children to make good progress. They ensure that children, irrespective of their starting abilities, are fully ready for their next steps in learning and gain the skills they need to be ready for school. Staff carefully adapt the curriculum to ensure that every child can access the high-quality learning opportunities. They demonstrate commitment and dedication when supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff promote children's healthy lifestyles, such as through providing well- balanced meals and daily fresh air and exercise. For instance, children enjoy walks around the base to go birdwatching and enjoy a local soft-play activity. However, the provision for children who prefer to learn outdoors is not as high quality as indoors. Opportunities for children to develop their large-muscle skills

p.2

need to do better?

10 August 2023 in the nursery's garden are sometimes limited. Staff do not routinely use the resources they have to help build on children's physical development. n Staff focus on building children's independence skills. They help children to be proud of their achievements, such as starting to rub in their own sun cream. Children enjoy being able to choose what they play with and casting their vote for the 'book of the week'. At mealtimes, children choose which fruit they want to eat and proudly find their named table mat, cups and bottles. n Most parents live or work on the Royal Air Force (RAF) base and speak very positively about the nursery and the good progress that their children are making. Staff share ideas with them about how they can support their children's learning at home. Additionally, parents can use the lending library to take home exciting storybooks to help to encourage their child's skills in speaking and

p.2

need to do better?

storytelling. n Leadership is strong. Managers are sensitive and respectful in supporting staff's well-being. For example, they value their ideas for improvements. There is a focus on professional development with staff to access training. For instance, managers are supporting several members of staff to gain level 5 qualifications to improve their knowledge and outcomes for children. This is having a positive impact on the quality of education and the continuous improvement of children's learning experiences, in particular for older children. n Overall, the quality of staff's interactions is good. However, although most staff encourage all children, however young, to think, predict and generate ideas, some staff, occasionally, do not extend children's thinking and developing skills so that they make the best possible progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has a deep understanding of safeguarding legislation and frameworks and how to apply this knowledge to keep children safe. A comprehensive range of written policies and procedures underpin the smooth running of the nursery. This ensures that staff understand their roles and responsibilities to protect children from harm. The manager makes sure that all staff understand how to identify the signs and symptoms that could indicate a child is at risk. Staff understand how to report any concerns about a child's welfare or the behaviour of another adult.

p.3

should:

n review the outdoor learning environment to ensure that it is conducive to all children's learning, particularly their large-muscle development n continue to strengthen the monitoring of staff's interactions to identify and address minor inconsistencies in staff's practice to help children to reach their

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2670641 Local authority (select) Inspection number 10303853 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 121 Number of children on roll 166 Name of registered person Rafa Kidz Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01677457592 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

RAFA Kidz RAF Leeming registered in December 2021 and is one of a number of settings owned by RAFA Kidz Limited. The nursery operates from its own building on the base of RAF Leeming, Northallerton. Sessions run from 7.30am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for the week between Christmas and New Year and bank holidays. The nursery cares for children from 0 to 11 years of age during school holidays. It employs 21 staff who work with the children. Of these, 13 staff hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The nursery provides funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 manager, deputy manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together, discussing the learning intentions for children and how the environment is arranged. n The deputy manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an outdoor activity together. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with children, indoors and outdoors, and considered the impact on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with staff, managers and children at appropriate times during the inspector. n The inspector took account of written feedback from parents and several parents spoken to during the inspection. n The inspector held a leadership and management meeting with the managers

p.6

Inspection activities

and a member of the senior management team. A sample of documents were reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks and safeguarding policies and procedures. n A discussion was held online between the inspector and the quality assurance manager of the group to discuss the nursery's evaluation of practice.

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

10 August 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