Kids Planet Stone

Inspection of Kids Planet Stone Mount Industrial Estate, Mount Road, STONE, Staffordshire ST15 8LL

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children receive a warm welcome from staff when they arrive to start their day. Staff have established good bonds with children. This helps children to feel safe, secure, and settled in their care. Children show they know the routines of the day. For example, younger children excitedly move over to the table when the chairs are put out in preparation for snack time. Pre-school children respond instantly when staff clap their hands indicating they want the children's attention. Children behave well because staff act as good role models. Staff have a good knowledge of children's individual needs. They use this knowledge well to support children's emotional well-being. For example, when children are shy when visitors are present, staff offer them cuddles comfort and reassurance.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide a rich and varied curriculum. They engage well with children as they play and explore. This helps children to develop a positive attitude to learning. For example, staff encourage toddlers to add different flowers to the water as they are making different 'potions'. Staff talk to the children about the different smells and encourage them to smell them before adding to the water and then once again when they are in the water. Children are engaged in purposeful play opportunities throughout the day. This helps all children to make good progress in their learning and development.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff have a very good understanding of how young children learn and develop. They use their observations and assessments of children to plan what they need to learn next. Children readily join in with the exciting learning opportunities staff provide. However, staff could focus more precisely on children's next steps during some activities to help them make even more progress in their learning. n Children's communication and language skills are very well supported throughout the nursery. Staff working with babies and toddlers encourage them to join in with songs and rhymes. Pre-school children enjoy listening to well read stories. Staff introduce new words and carefully explain their meaning. For example, staff lead interesting discussions with children explaining how a moat is something that surrounds a fortress. Children become confident communicators and happily engage in conversations with visitors.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children's health is promoted well. Meal and snack times are social occasions. Staff sit with children in small groups and engage children in discussions. Older children confidently serve themselves their food. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day. Their individual dietary needs are well catered for by the on-site cook. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise. n Staff promote children's physical skills well. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring

p.2

need to do better?

25 July 2024 the outdoor environment where they can practise running, climbing, and balancing. Indoors children develop their small muscles skills as they learn to use tools when playing with dough. n Staff report that they feel extremely well supported by leaders and managers. They express how they feel valued as staff members and enjoy working within the friendly and happy team. Staff benefit from ongoing supervision sessions and have opportunities to attend further training. However, leaders and managers could focus more on the support apprentices within the team receive to help them to build further on their existing knowledge and skills. n Partnership with parents and carers are effective. Staff take time before children start at the nursery to ensure they have gathered the information they need to help support the children's individual needs from the very start. Staff share regular information to ensure they are kept up to date about their children's time

p.2

need to do better?

at the nursery. Carers spoken to on the day of inspection, say that staff are 'kind and caring'. n Staff manage children's behaviour well. Staff use gentle, age-appropriate reminders to help children understand what is expected from them. Children show pride as they follow requests to help tidy up before going outside to play. Staff talk to children about their emotions. This helps children to begin to understand and regulate their own feelings. n Leaders and managers are committed to ensuring the required standards are continually met. They ensure the staff are deployed effectively to meet the needs of the children and ensure the required staff to child ratios are maintained.

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 use children's planned next steps for learning more frequently to help them make even more progress n build on staff's professional development for apprentices to help raise the quality of teaching even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY293756 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10356846 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 75 Number of children on roll 134 Name of registered person Giggles & Wiggles Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01785 813528 Date of previous inspection 22 November 2022

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Giggles & Wiggles registered in 2004. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 11 hold level 3, two hold level 4, two hold level 6 and one holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.15am until 6pm. 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 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 inspector completed a learning walk with the area manager and deputy to understand how the setting operates and how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the area manager. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Grandparents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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

25 July 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