Little Oaks - Ashford

Inspection of Little Oaks - Ashford William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, ASHFORD, Kent TN24 0LZ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children enjoy playing and learning in a carefully planned environment which has been well thought out by staff. The layout and content of each room enable children to play independently and select the toys they wish to play with. The outdoor area sparks children's curiosity and allows them to further their understanding of the natural world. For example, children help care for chickens and grow their own flowers and plants in the nursery garden. Babies, toddlers and pre-school children all have the opportunity to progress in their physical development. Staff recognise the importance of strengthening children's core strength through climbing and physical activities. Children can also take part in children's yoga activities that are led by staff.

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The provision is good

Children play well with one another and enjoy asking friends to join in with their games. Staff support children's behaviour by helping them to resolve problems and encouraging turn-taking. Children feel safe and secure and form close bonds with staff members. Staff recognise when children need cuddles and reassurance and settle them to sleep in their cots. Mealtimes are a chance for children to develop their social skills and take part in conversations with staff as they eat. Staff teach children how to take care of their personal hygiene and show them how to wash their hands properly after playing in the garden and before they eat.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff ensure children are ready for each stage of their learning. Managers consult with staff and parents about when they feel children are ready to transition between rooms at the nursery. This is based on children's individual needs and abilities and supported through play visits to the new room with their key person. Staff talk to children in the pre-school room about starting school and communicate well with local schools. This enables schools to be well informed about the children and fully understand their needs. n Overall, staff understand the importance of communication and language and how to develop children's vocabulary. Staff sing nursery rhymes to children from an early age and repeat simple vocabulary which children repeat. However, at times, some staff are less confident in interacting with children in meaningful ways during their play. This does not fully support children to consistently build

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need to do better?

on their language skills. n Managers plan an ambitious and clearly thought-out curriculum. Staff plan for children's starting points and allow children time and practice to embed new skills. For example, children use scissors to make small snips in paper and play dough, then develop this into cutting out as they move through the nursery. Staff understand children's fine motor skills and provide larger chunky chalks for children to mark make and then move on to finer pens and pencils as they get

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need to do better?

20 June 2024 older. n Overall, children are familiar with their routines and understand their daily timetable. Staff sequence and plan activities to capture children's interests and engage them in learning. However, at times, children cannot fully engage with their learning as it is planned during transition times. For instance, children listen to a story while getting ready for lunch and miss part of the story. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator works with outside agencies and parents to provide children with any additional help they may need. They work incredibly hard to ensure children have the correct plans in place and attend meetings to provide evidence that may be needed. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents communicate with staff and share information through an online system or face-to-face conversations. Staff talk to

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need to do better?

parents about their child's day and also share observations and invite them to parent evenings. The nursery welcomes involvement from parents and includes photographs of children at home as part of their displays. This creates a link to home for children and encourages them to talk about their experiences at home. Parents comment on the good progress children make and come home talking about their day.

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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 support staff to develop their confidence in consistently extending children's communication and language skills n review and improve the organisation of transition times to minimise disruption to children's learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127517 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10346924 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 60 Number of children on roll 105 Name of registered person Little Oaks Early Years Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01233 616746 Date of previous inspection 21 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Little Oaks - Ashford registered in 2001. It is one of five nurseries run by Little Oaks Early Years Ltd. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 25 staff, including the two owners who hold relevant early years qualifications at level 6. The manager holds a level 4 qualification and the remaining staff hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or above.

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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 provision. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

20 June 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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