St Aidans Nursery School

Inspection of St Aidans Nursery School St. Aidens Nursery School, The Christopher Centre, The Alma, Leander Drive, GRAVESEND, Kent DA12 4NG

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 arrive happily and are eager to engage in their learning at this community nursery. For example, enthusiastic staff greet children on arrival and they quickly separate from their parents at the door. Children self-register using their 'I am here' cards, place their belongings in the cloakroom and sanitise their hands. The friendly staff team are well deployed around the setting to support all children to become increasingly independent. This quickly settles children into the daily routine. Children are curious as they explore what is on offer and quickly engage in their play and learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well across the nursery. For instance, staff remind children at the beginning of the session what is expected of them as they discuss their 'golden rules'. Staff explain changes that have been made to the environment, such as rows of chairs in the garden ready for sports day and give children clear boundaries to follow. Children respond well to adult requests and conduct themselves in a positive manner.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The SENCO regularly monitors children's progress and holds regular discussions with the staff team to ensure that any gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate support plans are put in place. This ensures that all children make continued progress across the seven areas of learning and development

p.2

need to do better?

n The curriculum is well planned to meet the needs of the children that attend, staff understand what they are teaching and why. For example, staff know the children well and plan effectively around their current interests and next steps in learning. Children are highly engaged in their learning as they role play in the 'football stadium'. Staff join them in their play and extend their knowledge further as they introduce math's language as children role play with a till. Children enjoy making marks as staff introduce note pads to support their learning further. Meaningful discussions take place between the staff and children. Children become confident learners, who are more than ready for their next stage of learning, especially school. n Teaching is good at this nursery, and staff generally support children's early language and communication skills well. For instance, older children are confident talkers who readily share their ideas with the staff and their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

Children thoroughly enjoy story time as staff read in a highly engaging way. Nonetheless, at times staff do not consistently support all children to share their views, thoughts and feelings. For example, on occasion, some children do not

p.2

need to do better?

12 July 2024 receive all of the targeted help they need with their language skills, so they can fully engage with the learning on offer. n Staff are consistent in their approach to behaviour management across the nursery. Children have positive attitudes to their learning and play and behave well. For example, children enjoy playing team games such as tennis in the garden. They work together in collaboration and share and take turns with equipment so all their friends can join in. Children respond well when there is a change in routine and follow the request of adults. However, there are occasions when staff do not fully explain what is happening next. They do not always organise routines effectively and sometimes children wait for prolonged periods without understanding why. Some children become confused and bored at these times and this impacts on their behaviour. n Children have lots of opportunities to develop good physical health. For instance,

p.2

need to do better?

they spend large amounts of time playing in the fresh air in the garden. Children take part in obstacle courses, and demonstrate good gross motor skills as they run, jump and climb. Staff support children well to understand how physical activity impacts on their bodies. They encourage children to drink lots of water that they independently access from a water urn in the garden. This has a positive impact on their development as they learn to live healthy lives. n Leadership and management at the nursery is good. For example, the manager follows safe recruitment guidelines when employing new staff and holds regular meetings with existing staff to ensure that they continue to be suitable to work with children. The manager values her staff and involves them in the day to running of the setting, such as the curriculum planning and implementation, so they feel valued as a part of a team. This helps to foster a positive culture

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 review and improve the organisation of daily routines to avoid long waiting periods and help children understand what is happening next n strengthen staff's skills in consistently supporting children's early communication and language development, to help all children fully benefit from any planned learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 127570 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10351174 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person St Aidans Nursery School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07715 337816 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

St Aidans Nursery School registered in 1992. It operates from The Christopher Centre in Gravesend, Kent. St Aidens Nursery School is one of two nurseries run by the same provider. The nursery is open each weekday, from 9am to midday, for 38 weeks of the year. The manager and seven members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. 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 viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

12 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