Kings Castle Lodge

Inspection of Kings Castle Lodge Iford Scout Hut, Iford Lane, Bournemouth BH6 5NE

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happy and very keen to attend. They move around freely and make their own activity choices in the safe and secure play areas. Children create their own imaginative games, such as acting out their home experiences and excavating with construction vehicles in sand and stones. Staff provide good role models who help children develop extremely positive attitudes. Children share, include one another kindly in play and make friends. They learn to take responsibility for their actions and to look after their environment. Staff celebrate children's achievements, such as reading out kindness cards to acknowledge their positive behaviour, which children receive with pride.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from good-quality experiences with a focus on nature-based learning. They go for local walks to explore the environment through the seasons and explore the life cycle of plants and animals. Children learn how to care for the environment, such as keeping the oceans clean and actively recycling waste. They grow and harvest fruit, vegetables and herbs to cook with and to share in the community. For example, they baked a blackberry pie from fruits picked on a walk to share with local care home residents. This helps children to develop a good understanding of their world and to become responsible individuals.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff plan and deliver a broad curriculum to support children's development. They monitor and assess their progress accurately from the start to identify next steps for their learning. Staff are clear about what they intend children to learn and provide activities to help them in achieving these learning goals. n Staff allow children time and space to complete the activities they choose, as well as joining in at appropriate times to motivate them to learn more. For example, they encourage younger children to solve practical problems and extend challenges for older children to sequence numbers and make calculations. However, on occasion, staff organise group activities when the indoor playroom is very noisy. This distracts some children who lose concentration and interest. n Children gain the skills they need to help prepare them well for school and their future learning. They are motivated learners who develop very good

p.2

need to do better?

independence and practical skills from a young age. They learn to change their shoes, manage their own personal hygiene, serve themselves at meals and to tidy up after themselves. n Children learn new words regularly to build their vocabulary. For example, they rub ingredients together when making bread to understand what 'crumbly' means and learn the names of many different animals. Staff model language well in their play with children. However, on occasion, some staff provide a lot of

p.2

need to do better?

5 August 2024 narrative and questions without allowing younger children time to think and talk themselves. n Staff help children to develop healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy continuous access to outdoor play, go for walks and join in physical activities to develop their strength, balance and coordination. For example, staff provide ocean-themed yoga in which children move in different ways, reflecting sea life. Children learn about healthy eating and how to care for their bodies. n Leaders have a good oversight of the setting and ensure all staff are suitable to care for children. They nurture staff's well-being and provide opportunities to celebrate their achievements. Staff continually build on their knowledge and skills through training and development. This helps them to develop a good understanding of how to safeguard children's welfare and to support their learning. n Staff quickly identify when a child is not making expected progress. They work

p.2

need to do better?

effectively with parents and external professionals to provide targeted support for the children. Leaders ensure any additional funding for children is used responsibly in order to have the most impact on their learning. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Key persons communicate well with parents and other settings children attend to meet their care and developmental needs consistently. Parents speak highly of the setting, stating, for example, how much their children enjoy exploring the natural environment and how they have grown in confidence.

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 improve the organisation of planned group activities in the playroom to help maintain all children's engagement and interest n develop staff interactions with children to allow younger children more time to think and talk to develop their communication skills even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2680243 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10350635 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 113 Name of registered person Saxonbury Road Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01202422235 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Kings Castle Lodge registered in 2022. The group operates from Bournemouth, Dorset. It follows the Montessori philosophy of education. It opens each weekday, from 8am to 5pm, all year round. The group receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The group employs five staff to work with children, two of whom hold qualified teacher status and two of whom hold appropriate qualifications at levels 3 and 4.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend children to learn. n The inspector observed activities and the quality of staff's interactions with the children. She discussed the effectiveness of an activity with the manager. n The inspector sampled the documentation and discussed the manager's knowledge of the requirements of the early years foundation stage. n The inspector took account of parents' 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

5 August 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