Carousel Nursery School

Inspection of Carousel Nursery School 1 Westmoreland Close, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 9LF

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders have mastered the provision of a stimulating curriculum for all at this fun and exciting nursery. They consider what children already know and can do and enhance children's understanding by supporting them to use their knowledge and skills in their future experiences. For example, children take part in walks to the local environment, where they engage in growing their own food and flowers. Staff then provide activities in the nursery where children learn to further their knowledge of the subject. Staff skilfully extend children's understanding by providing older children with tools to further investigate. They question children about what they are finding out and encourage them to make links with what they already know and can do. Children show that these activities help them to be intensely curious. Staff consistently provide high-quality opportunities to practise what they have learned and to ensure skills are fully consolidated.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour at this nursery is impeccable. As a result of the careful deployment of staff, the environment is calm and children show an awareness of others around them. They are respectful to one another and learn how to take turns and consider the needs of their friends. Staff encourage children to be active learners by providing them with a safe and secure environment, where their emotional and physical well-being are always prioritised.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a clear and ambitious vision for what it wants children to learn at this inviting and engaging nursery. It successfully implements learning experiences that ensure all children make rapid progress from when they first attend. Staff skilfully plan activities that enable children to make links in their learning and extend their existing knowledge. Children show excellent skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. n Staff know their key children exceptionally well and use this knowledge to build activities that engage children for extended periods of time. For example, babies take part in a superbly planned sensory experience exploring ice and silvery metallic objects. They gaze at their reflections and notice the smile of their friend in the shimmering surfaces. Children learn about facial expressions and observing each other's emotions from a very young age. Their personal and

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need to do better?

emotional development is particularly well supported. n Staff show obvious care and nurture for all children and expertly consider what they need to make them at their most comfortable and confident. Staff encourage toddlers to take part in experiences that will stretch and challenge their imagination, such as making their own 'lemonade' in large bowls of water. Children squeeze and pour the scented liquids. They learn complex vocabulary as they explore. At times, toddlers will visit the pre-school children to engage in

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need to do better?

20 September 2024 experiences that provide opportunities to practise and embed the excellent skills they have learned. n Diversity and cultural differences are extensively welcomed and celebrated. Leaders work with parents to share cultural resources with the children. For example, parents are invited to the local town festival, where they wave and encourage their child in the procession. Children grow in confidence as they find out about their friends through shared cultural experiences. n Staff provide highly effective support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and recognise those who may be vulnerable and need further support. Staff are committed to supporting all children who speak English as an additional language. They identify gaps in children's learning and development at an early stage and act promptly to address them. Leaders work very closely with other professionals, such as speech and language therapists, and carefully

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need to do better?

allocate funding to ensure that children achieve to their fullest potential. n Parents value the staff's expert support and guidance for their children and say that they feel completely involved in their children's time at the setting. For example, staff ensure a consistency of approach to complex aspects of development, such as managing children's behaviour. Both staff and parents agree that encouraging positive attitudes to learning enables the most success. n Leaders ensure that staff feel well supported and meticulously monitor and appreciate their ongoing well-being. Staff gratefully embrace the frequent opportunities made available to them to undertake continued professional development that helps them to continually improve in their roles.

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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 508960 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10363525 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 45 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Carousel Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01424 854725 Date of previous inspection 14 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Carousel Nursery School registered in 1999. It is located in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. The nursery operates from 8am to 6pm, each weekday, for 51 weeks a year. There are 13 staff who work at the nursery. Of these, 11 hold relevant childcare qualifications, including two with qualified teacher status and one with early years teacher status. The nursery receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

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 Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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 September 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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