Nuffy Bear Day Nursery - Medway

Inspection of Nuffy Bear Day Nursery - Medway Nuffield Health Club, Medway Valley Leisure Park, Chariot Way, Rochester ME2 2SS

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this superb nursery. The skilled and passionate leader, together with her dedicated team, offers the very best for children and their families. Children have a wealth of opportunities to continuously explore, experiment and embed their learning. For instance, the older children excitedly engage with a colour-mixing activity. They show sustained levels of concentration as they explore the volume of water and what happens when various coloured inks are mixed together. Children show great independence during activities, with staff alongside to facilitate and direct their learning. Staff are skilled at asking relevant questions to encourage children to think and speak about what is happening and why, further embedding their knowledge and understanding. Younger children enthusiastically explore. They show they are confident and comfortable in their environment. Babies' early development is supported superbly. They flourish in the care of their

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The provision is outstanding

calm, knowledgeable and nurturing key staff.

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The provision is outstanding

The manager, along with the staff team, has developed an ambitious curriculum. It is planned precisely to align with children's skills and interests. It is fully understood and implemented consistently across the nursery. The staff are skilled educators who understand what they are teaching and why. The curriculum currently has a focus on children learning about healthy lifestyles, building independence skills and secure friendships and being effective communicators. Staff know the children and their individual needs extremely well. They adapt the environment continuously to ensure that children are engaged and provided with a range of experiences to inspire their inquisitiveness.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff act as incredibly positive role models. Children have developed the skills that are needed to play and explore harmoniously together. They solve problems between themselves by using resources, such as sand timers, to support sharing. Children follow the routines of the day with complete ease and confidence.

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need to do better?

n The manager's passion for the care and education that are offered throughout the nursery is clearly visible. This not only applies to the children but also to the staff team. The manager encourages and supports staff to progress in their careers. Regular, meaningful one-on-one time is spent with each staff member to speak about their skills and attributes. Together, they devise clear plans on how to develop their teaching skills further. This is evidenced by the manager's thorough knowledge of the nursery and her observations of the teaching quality. All children are making excellent progress from their starting points. n Children's emotional well-being is supported incredibly well. Children have

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need to do better?

26 April 2024 formed strong attachments to a consistent key person. For example, the youngest children embrace their key person in cuddles, and their key person reads stories with them when they first arrive. The nursery has an effective 'buddy' system in place. This ensures that parents are aware of the specific person to speak to about their children when their primary key person is not available. The transitions between rooms in the nursery are thoughtfully planned alongside parents. The bonds between staff, children and parents are a strength of the nursery. n The provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is incredibly well organised and effective. The passionate special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a wealth of knowledge. She works together with staff in the setting exceptionally well to ensure that any concerns are identified at the earliest opportunity. The SENCo works effectively with

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need to do better?

parents and other professionals to devise targeted strategies and support for children. The environment is inclusive, ensuring that all children have access to activities and learning opportunities that are tailored to their individual needs. n Staff make excellent use of the garden to develop children's physical skills and ignite their awe and wonder of the world. Babies are often fascinated by the sight of trains passing by, and they share their excitement with the staff. Toddlers explore the garden freely, testing their physical capabilities. For example, they show perseverance when learning to climb the small steps to the slide. Staff provide support while allowing children to engage in safe, developmentally suitable risks. n Children are incredibly independent. They have learned and fully embedded the daily routines. For example, at mealtimes, children seamlessly wash their hands, collect their plates and cutlery and serve their own meals. Even the youngest

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need to do better?

children learn to use the hand wash station with assistance, demonstrating that these routines are established from the earliest opportunity. Children relish these moments, engaging in chatter with their peers around the table. n The knowledgeable staff accurately track the progress of the children and communicate this information to parents. Parents have time to speak to managers and key staff daily and during dedicated parents' evenings. Staff provide support and advice for parents to enhance and continue their children's learning at home. Parents enjoy sharing their children's progress with staff. n Staff recognise the importance of children's communication skills. Staff provide a wealth of interactions for all children. Babies bounce and make sounds in enjoyment as they join in with familiar songs. Older children take pleasure in engaging in their own back-and-forth conversations, sharing their ideas and

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need to do better?

thoughts. The staff team recognises the importance of these moments.

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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 2680180 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10336208 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 25 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Nuffield Health

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reference number

Telephone number 01634 292900 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Nuffy Bear Day Nursery registered in 2022 and is situated in Medway, Kent. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. All of whom have childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery 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 manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

26 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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