The Birches Nursery

Inspection of Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery 18 The Birches Swanley Park, The Birches, Swanley, Kent BR8 7YL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff provide warm and nurturing care for children. This is particularly beneficial for children who need emotional support when they are feeling upset. Staff work closely with parents to find out how they can best support children during their time at nursery. They build on this information by spending time getting to know children and developing secure bonds with them. This helps children, including those who are new to the setting, to settle quickly.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour, and this is successfully embedded in their daily practice. They promote positive behaviour throughout the nursery, so that children learn from a young age how they are expected to behave. For instance, staff praise children when they follow instructions, such as sitting nicely at the table during mealtimes. This enables children to recognise what good behaviour looks like.

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The provision is good

Staff recognise how to respond to children's emerging interests. For example, toddlers enjoy the sensory experience of using their whole bodies to play with flour on the ground. Staff show them how to sprinkle the flour between their fingers. Toddlers watch with fascination before attempting to copy the action for themselves, which helps to strengthen their small muscles.

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need to do better?

n Leaders work with staff to implement a curriculum that supports children to learn new skills and knowledge. Staff observe children effectively, which enables them to have a good understanding of children's interests and stages of development. They successfully use this information to plan for what they want children to learn next. This helps children to achieve their next steps and continue to make good progress. n Leaders implement effective strategies to support staff to strengthen their practice. This includes ensuring that staff receive regular feedback on their planning, activities and interactions with children. This helps staff to build on the quality of their teaching in order to enhance children's experiences at nursery. n Staff have good knowledge of their key children. This enables them to quickly identify and respond promptly when children are not making the progress they are capable of. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator

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need to do better?

(SENDCo) works closely with parents, staff and external agencies to implement effective support for children. This helps children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to gain valuable skills and knowledge. n Staff communicate effectively with each other to ensure that they are deployed well in order to supervise children. For instance, during mealtimes in the toddler room, the room leader reminds staff to sit with children while they eat. This

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need to do better?

5 April 2024 promotes the safety of children and enables staff to respond promptly when they need support. n Children of all ages receive effective support to build on their ability to do things for themselves. For example, young children develop the skills they need to begin to feed themselves using cutlery. Staff help them to scoop yoghurt onto their spoons, and children enjoy completing this task independently. This enables children to learn to manage their own needs. n Overall, all staff provide good support to enhance children's progress. For instance, children enjoy experiencing the world around them as they take part in a bug hunt in the park. Staff capture children's interests by showing them things such as snail shells and different insects. Staff use clear and simple language, which helps children with SEND to develop their range of vocabulary. However, sometimes, staff do not recognise when older children need support to extend

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need to do better?

their learning even further or engage in activities. n Leaders and staff have established strong parent partnerships to promote children's development. For instance, they work together to support children to be prepared for when they start school. Parents appreciate that staff adapt the daily experiences and activities so that all children are included and are able to take part.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n strengthen staff skills in recognising when to interact with children to support and extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2750810 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10334607 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 125 Number of children on roll 137 Name of registered person Dawn To Dusk Nursery (Swanley) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01322660330 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery registered in 2023. It is located in Swanley, Kent. The setting is open from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. It employs 25 members of staff, one of which holds a qualification in childcare at level 6, 12 at level 3 and four at level 2. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENDCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

5 April 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.

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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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