Hedgehogs Chatham Day Nursery

Inspection of Hedgehogs Chatham Day Nursery 1a Hills Terrace, Chatham ME4 6PX

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement

Staff create a positive environment where children can interact with a wide range of natural resources. However, there are inconsistencies in the quality of teaching and learning children receive. The provider has a clear vision for the nursery. They have a strong focus on developing children's curiosity and independence. Children feel safe and are happy to come into the nursery to meet with friends and staff. Staff know the children well and support them to settle, but those working with younger children are not always effectively deployed. As a result, the younger children do not always engage in meaningful play experiences. Children's behaviour is age-appropriate and staff encourage them to share. For instance, the children take turns adding the ingredients to the bowl as they make play dough.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are active learners who enjoy taking on challenges. For example, staff hold on to the older children's hands as they walk across a wooden ladder balanced between two tyres. The younger children practise stepping from one rung to the next with the ladder on the floor. All children gain a sense of achievement as staff make focused use of praise to encourage them. Staff provide the children with a range of opportunities to build their muscles as they practise their physical skills.

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need to do better?

n The provider has recently appointed a new manager, but has failed to notify Ofsted of the change, as required. Ofsted will not be taking any further action on this occasion. The manager has a secure understanding of the strengths and areas for development at the nursery. She has been working hard to bring about improvements and has a clear focus. For instance, she carries out regular supervision of staff to help identify any support and training needs they might have. The manager spends time working alongside staff to model good practice. However, as the quality of teaching is variable, activities do not always successfully build on children's existing skills and extend their learning. This does not support children to make consistently good progress. n Staff support children to develop strong communication and language skills. For example, staff introduce new words as they talk about the noise the cars make

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need to do better?

as they 'splash' into the pot of water. Staff take time to listen to the children's responses and use repetition to ensure children hear the correct pronunciation of words. However, at times, the deployment of staff does not ensure younger children consistently benefit from positive adult interactions. n Staff offer children a variety of activities to engage with outside. The older children are keen to practise using their fine motor skills. They transfer rice from one container to another using different tools. Children develop their problem- solving skills. They investigate how cars travel along a length of guttering. However, staff do not ensure that activities in the outdoor environment are easily

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need to do better?

31 October 2023 accessible to younger children. As a result, younger children are not as interested and focused on learning outside. n Partnerships with parents are a high priority at the nursery. Staff share information through children's online learning records as well as speaking with parents at drop-off and collection times. Parents state that they are very pleased with the support they receive from the manager and staff at the nursery. n The special educational needs coordinator works closely with staff and families. They ensure all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language, are fully supported. The manager has made good use of extra funding. For instance, they have purchased specific resources that help support children to identify and manage their emotions. n Staff place a strong emphasis on giving children a variety of real life experiences.

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need to do better?

The children develop their life skills as they learn about the world around them. For instance, children are eager to help peel the sweet potatoes and mix and knead the bread mixture as they help to prepare their lunchtime meal. Staff help children to learn about the importance of physical health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff team have a good understanding of how to safeguard children. They regularly complete child protection training to ensure they keep their knowledge up to date. Staff are aware of signs that might indicate a child is at risk of harm, including issues such as the 'Prevent' duty and being alert to extreme views and beliefs. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's safety. The manager works with external agencies and professionals to help promote children's well-being. The directors have robust recruitment and vetting systems in place to ensure all staff working with children are suitable.

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Due date

ensure staff provide good-quality learning experiences that effectively extend children's learning 01/01/2024

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Due date

monitor staff to make sure they are more effectively deployed to support younger children's learning and development. 02/11/2023

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should:

n review and improve the organisation of the outdoor environment to enhance younger children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2630754 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10269482 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 45 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Hedgehogs Childcare (Kent and Medway) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01634 953743 Date of previous inspection 29 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Hedgehogs Chatham Day Nursery registered in 2021 and operates in Chatham, Medway, Kent. It is one of four settings owned by Hedgehogs Childcare (Kent and Medway) Ltd. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for most of the year. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. They employ nine members of staff, four of whom have relevant early years qualifications at level 3 and two at level 2.

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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 nursery. n The manager and directors 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 observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and read letters from parents to take account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager and sampled a range of documentation.

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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

31 October 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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