RAFA Kidz Cranwell

Inspection of RAFA Kidz Cranwell 87 Wellesley Way, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8HB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is outstanding

Exceptional leadership and management, and a team of highly motivated, skilled staff, underpin the success of this nursery. Children receive the highest quality of care and early education. Because of this, children are making excellent progress. At lunch, two-year-old children show care for their friends by asking them, 'Would you like some water?'. They then carefully pour from an open jug. Children confidently demonstrate these advanced social communication skills and refined physical development because of staff's ambitious and attentive teaching.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff ignite children's firm love for learning by involving them in designing their own curriculum. Children take turns to share their thoughts and ideas which are stimulated by topical resources that staff take from the 'talking tub'. They suggest that, as spring develops, they would like to learn about the festival of Easter and find out more about new growth outdoors. Staff support children's interest in early mark making as they record their plans on a large mind map.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff swiftly respond to children's cues to maximise the potential for learning. For example, they plan a series of activities to expand children's knowledge after a child shows curiosity in the seeds that they find in a pepper. Children are immersed in staff's interactive retelling of the story 'Jack and the Beanstalk', where they excitedly follow a member of staff to climb through bushes and imagine arriving at the giant's castle. In the nursery's forest school, children plant seeds of their choice and discuss what is needed to help them grow. Children are quick to remember the rules of forest school which are in place to keep them safe. All children remain fully engaged in their learning across the nursery, throughout the day.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff's commitment to their lifelong learning means that they are constantly improving their practice. Managers have provided a resource library of academic texts so staff can continually refresh their knowledge of how children develop. Some staff have completed work experience in a primary school to understand the full extent of a child's development and learning. This helps them to pitch their teaching at the correct level in the nursery. The staff team across the nursery is highly skilled and qualified. n Managers and staff's lived experiences, and their investment in truly understanding the community which they serve, mean they know exactly what to prioritise when designing the curriculum. A focus on supporting children's well-being stems from appreciating what it can be like for a child whose parents work for military services. Staff arrange for a trained therapy dog to come into the nursery to support children's emotional development. A mindfulness

p.2

need to do better?

champion makes sure that staff's teaching is ever evolving to secure maximum

p.2

need to do better?

4 March 2024 impact for children's personal and emotional development. n Staff use an evidence-based approach to their teaching across all ages. The strategies that they use to promote children's communication and language development are highly effective. This has helped children who have sometimes struggled with behaviour to clearly communicate their feelings, reducing their need to communicate with unwanted actions. Staff know from research that, over time, some children show less interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These subjects are celebrated in the nursery and threaded through exciting learning that takes place indoors and outdoors. n Staff make sure that children understand their wider community, through which they promote their healthy lifestyles. Children learn about Lincolnshire's agricultural heritage. Staff take children on outings, such as strawberry picking, to help them understand where their food comes from. Where possible, the cook

p.2

need to do better?

uses local produce from nearby butchers and greengrocers to help children to learn what food items are farmed around them. n Staff skilfully deploy themselves to make sure that every child receives equal attention to their learning and play. Children's involvement in meaningful activity remains high throughout the day. Staff have taught children social skills and self- regulation techniques so that they can continue their play independently with friends. They help children to recognise the internal feeling of frustration and anger by jumping up and down with children and asking them to feel their fast heartbeat. They encourage children to ask for help when they start to feel like this when interacting with peers. n Innovative resources designed by staff have been recognised by the wider organisation and local authority as worthy of sharing with other settings. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has created an early intervention

p.3

need to do better?

crib sheet. This helps staff to quickly identify children's emerging specialist needs and tells them what to do next so children receive swift and relevant support. Staff have created a deployment bag to loan to military families. The contents, such as storybooks, help children to understand what is happening when a parent travels away for work. The positive impact of these resources has placed them at the forefront of good practice.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2723664 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10332818 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 92 Name of registered person Rafa Kidz Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01400 262621 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

RAFA Kidz Cranwell registered in 2023 and is situated in the grounds of RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The nursery employs 35 members of childcare staff. Of these, 27 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including 13 with a degree level qualification. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.45pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 provider. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children confidently communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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 and manager carried out a joint observation of children learning in the nursery's forest school. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection, face to face and over the telephone, and took account of their views. n The inspector read reviews written by parents and took account of their views.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection, including the SENCo and nursery cook. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.5

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.5

Inspection activities

4 March 2024 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.5

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.6

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.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6

Inspection activities

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

p.6