Young Friends Kindergarten

Inspection of Young Friends Kindergarten 89 Holland Road, HOVE, East Sussex BN3 1JP

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Staff implement the highly ambitious curriculum with creativity and passion. They provide a calm environment in which all children flourish both academically and emotionally. Children are extremely capable and motivated to learn through a range of exciting and engaging experiences. Staff ensure that all children feel welcomed by promoting a strong sense of belonging in the home-from-home environment. Babies are cuddled and soothed by the highly skilled staff who understand everything about them. Staff respond to babies' every need and communicate to them through sign and simple language. They support babies to develop strong independence skills by encouraging them to keep trying. This is demonstrated as the babies beam with pride as they attempt to dress and feed themselves.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff have a thorough understanding of children's starting points. They expertly plan learning experiences based upon children's existing knowledge and interests. As a result, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress in their learning. Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff model respectful language and actions. They teach children how to care for each other and the environment. Staff have developed an effective programme to support children to recognise and manage their emotions. As a result, children have rapidly learned how to recognise their feelings and regulate them in a remarkably mature manner.

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need to do better?

n A key strength of the kindergarten is the passion in the way both the ethos and curriculum are delivered. Staff teach children how to care for the local environment and the world around them. Children have an impressive understanding of why food and water should not be wasted. They compost vegetable peelings and grow their own food in their kitchen garden. Staff encourage children to recycle and repair items rather than discarding them. Children describe the fun ways in which they do this, explaining that they use real tools and make their own dinner every day. n The owner and managers provide excellent support for staff. They strive to create a positive working environment where staff feel valued and listened to. Staff comment that the kindergarten is an incredible place to work and that their well-being is very well supported. Parents mention that the strong values that their children experience have a positive impact on their home life. They say that

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need to do better?

their children are gaining valuable skills that will be used for their whole lives. Parents comment that they feel reassured that their children are in a safe environment and that the staff provide 'an education and love'. n Children respond very well to interesting ways of teaching. For example, staff use puppets to discuss a trip to the dentist and how that makes them feel.

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need to do better?

25 April 2024 Children enthusiastically talk about their own experiences of going to the dentist. They are keen to show the inspector how they brush their teeth. Children say, 'You have to do the ones at the back and don't leave the tap running.' Children demonstrate their understanding of how they can keep their teeth healthy. n Children have daily opportunities for outside experiences that help them to learn about life beyond the kindergarten. For example, they forage for wild garlic to add to the dinner they will be making. Children take a trip on a bus to go to the library and staff walk them down to the nearby beach to do a 'litter pick'. Children play outside in the delightful garden. They feed the rabbits and fill up feeders for the birds. n Staff have a thorough understanding of how to keep children safe. They are confident that they know what they should do if they have concerns about the welfare of a child or the behaviour of a colleague. Leaders ensure that staff

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need to do better?

safeguarding knowledge is continuously updated in line with local procedures. The kindergarten is secure, and any potential hazards are removed to help minimise the risk of accidents. n The staff team expertly nourishes children's love of books and stories, and children develop excellent communication skills and understanding. This has a positive impact on how they engage with each other and their future learning. Children develop their mathematical skills as they count out seedlings in the garden. They measure out volumes of water and cut and share out equal parts of clay. They show a sense of achievement when they say, 'I have counted out seven which are all the same size.'

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY455240 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10335213 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person Young Friends Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01273735100 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Young Friends Kindergarten registered in 2012 and is situated in Hove, East Sussex. It is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The kindergarten receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. It employs 13 members of staff. Of these, nine have appropriate early years qualifications.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the kindergarten 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 setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke with the staff team and children at 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 Parents shared their views of the kindergarten with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the owner, the manager and deputy manager about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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

25 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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