Ickle Pickles Nursery School

Inspection of Ickle Pickles Nursery School 1 School Mews, School Lane, Iwade, SITTINGBOURNE, Kent ME9 8UW

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff create a warm and welcoming environment for children and their parents and children demonstrate that they feel happy and secure. Staff know the children well. They find out key information about children, from when they first start attending. Settling in sessions are arranged and staff ensure that children transition successfully when they move on to the next stage of their educational journey.

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The provision is good

The nursery implements an ambitious and sequential curriculum. Leaders consult with staff in each room to decide what is important for the children to learn. Staff have a clear knowledge about child development and how to meet each child's needs. Staff are reflective in their practice and ensure that children's learning continues at home by giving parents useful advice and guidance.

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The provision is good

Staff promote children's positive behaviour and support their individual needs. For example, they recognise that young children need time to calm down and regulate their emotions. Staff support children to recognise the impact of their actions on others and learn how to keep safe, as they play and enjoy each other's company.

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need to do better?

n Babies enjoy a stimulating environment that appeals to their senses and allows them to be actively curious in their learning. For example, staff provide real herbs and lemons for children to smell. Children rustle real crispy leaves and enjoy the feeling of soft carpet tiles on their toes. Staff know children's learning styles well and actively promote the importance of play and exploration, for the youngest age range. n Children enjoy an engaging outdoor space, as well as taking part in outings in the local environment. For example, toddlers practise their running and balancing skills and enjoy the ride-on toys available. Staff present physical challenges to all children to promote their large-muscle skills and encourage them to take managed risks. n Leaders and staff are very reflective of their practice and of the ever-evolving learning environment. Staff regularly rotate the resources available, to keep the

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need to do better?

provision fresh and appealing. For example, staff review topics with older children and give them the opportunity to be involved in planning new aspects of their learning. They work hard to encourage children's thoughts and ideas, to enhance their creativity and imagination. n Young children speak confidently and fluently, and conversations with children are meaningful. Children of all ages use sign language confidently to communicate their needs. However, at times staff do not manage the noise levels effectively. They have not considered how this may affect children's communication and language development, particularly during adult-led

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need to do better?

24 October 2024 activities. n Children behave well. They learn about the importance of sharing and taking turns. Staff include all children and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make good relationships with their peers. Staff intervene when necessary and praise children for their achievements. However, some staff do not consistently deliver clear instructions to children or remind them of rules, particularly around transition times. This means that some children do not always understand what is expected of them. n Parents speak very highly about this exceptional nursery and the dedicated staff team. They comment on the regular communication and how they feel a part of their child's learning. Staff include parents from day one and offer support to parents for all aspects of their child's learning and development. n Leaders provide staff with opportunities to extend and develop their own

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need to do better?

continuing professional development. Staff feel very well supported and feel they have a strong and friendly team. Leaders have recently reviewed some of their policies and procedures and extended this to upskill all staff. This means that staff are more confident, and fully understand their roles and responsibilities to provide the best possible care.

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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 reduce the noise levels in the setting, to fully enable children's communication and language development n provide children with clear and consistent instructions that support their understanding of the routines and expectations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2776386 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10369712 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 61 Number of children on roll 97 Name of registered person Storal Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01795 474551 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ickle Pickles Nursery registered in 2024. It is located in Sittingbourne, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 7.15am to 6pm, all year around. It receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs 25 members of staff, 16 of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 2 and above.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector the premises and spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during adult- directed time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

24 October 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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