Creative Kids

Inspection of Creative Kids 1 Mount Avenue, Shenfield, Brentwood CM13 2NS

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 and settled in the welcoming nursery environment. Staff gather information from parents about children's interests and plan activities they know children will enjoy. Children enjoy exploring and investigating. Older children use their imagination as they create a 'beach' with shells and toy sea creatures. Toddlers enjoy the sensory feel of shaving foam in messy play. Babies explore the texture of shredded paper.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop strong attachments to staff, helping them to feel safe and secure. Babies receive lots of cuddles and attention and are happy, calm and relaxed. Children become familiar with the daily routines. They play together cooperatively and learn how to share the resources and take turns. Children are confident and friendly. They engage visitors in conversation and confidently approach them asking them for their name. Children's art creations are carefully displayed throughout the nursery, helping them to feel valued and promoting their self- esteem.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have daily opportunities to be active and thoroughly enjoy playing in the extensive outdoor area. They show good coordination as they climb and balance on the large play equipment. Children ride round the track on wheeled toys and learn to kick a football to one another. Older children go on outings to the local area. For example, they travel by bus to nearby shops and show acts of kindness towards others. This helps to broaden their experiences and promote their understanding of their local community.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team and staff work hard to create a happy and engaging environment. Staff comment that their wellbeing is considered, and they feel supported. Staff are encouraged to access additional training. However, systems for monitoring staff practice and providing coaching are not fully embedded. This means staff are not consistently supported to improve their skills and raise the quality of teaching even further. n Children's communication skills are supported well. Staff consistently narrate children's actions and label objects and toys. They interact with babies using clearly spoken single words. Older children confidently talk to staff and each other. Staff support children and families who speak English as an additional language well. They learn how to pronounce some key words to use with children and translate the daily information they share with parents into their home language. n Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to practise their small-muscle

p.2

need to do better?

skills in readiness for early writing. For example, children use their hands to pull

p.2

need to do better?

13 March 2024 dough into pieces and pat and roll it into small balls. Older children manipulate magnetic pens with good control to draw up metal beads to create patterns and shapes. n Staff support children's early literacy skills well. Children enjoy singing and listen attentively as staff read stories. They visit the nursery library each week to choose books to share at home. Staff display a good variety written words in the indoor and outdoor environments, helping older children to become familiar with letters and sounds. n Staff support children's learning through a wide range of experiences reflected in planned activities and children's self-chosen play. They introduce topics and themes, helping to capture children's interest and broaden their learning. However, staff do not always have a clear understanding of what it is each child needs to know or do next. As a result, some staff do not consistently plan the

p.2

need to do better?

most effective ways to optimise children's individual progress. n The nursery chef provides children with healthy, freshly cooked meals and snacks. Children learn good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before eating. They are encouraged from a young age to feed themselves with cutlery, helping to promote their independence. However, lunchtime routines result in children sitting at tables for extended periods of time waiting for their lunch. As a result, children become restless. n Parents are full of praise for the staff and managers. They say that the staff team are friendly, supportive, and approachable. Parents value the regular two- way flow of information about their children's care and experiences. They comment that staff get to know children well and ensure they support their individual needs.

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

should:

n implement a more robust system of staff supervision meetings to raise the quality of teaching even further n further develop staff's understanding of children's next steps to ensure the best possible progress n revise the organisation of mealtime routines to reduce the time children wait for food.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2660635 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10332894 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 116 Number of children on roll 152 Name of registered person Creative Kids Pre-School Day Nursery Limted

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01277 606060 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Creative Kids Pre-School Day Nursery registered in 2021 and is located in Shenfield, Essex. The nursery employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. 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 inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The managers and the inspectors discussed how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager and deputy manager. n The inspectors 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

13 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