Abacus Nursery

Inspection of Abacus Nursery Abacus, 1-2 Franks Bridge Cottages, Smarden Road, Headcorn, Ashford TN27 9SX

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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

Children are happy and settled in this welcoming nursery. They show confidence as they leave their parents with ease to begin their day. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children's individual needs. For example, children who need extra reassurance from adults when they arrive are offered cuddles and provided with resources that are of interest to them. This helps children feel safe and develop a sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Staff have a clear focus on developing children's communication, independence, and personal, social and emotional development. The curriculum, although in its infancy, is well designed to provide children with experiences to further their learning and development. For instance, children have developed a love of books. They regularly select favourite stories and take these to staff to read. Staff are skilled at introducing new words to children, and they use the pictures to engage children in what they think might happen next. This further supports children's emerging language and communication skills.

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The provision is good

Children generally behave well. Staff act as positive role models and ensure that they are consistent with behaviour techniques. For instance, staff praise the positive behaviour seen by children and correct minor disputes. They remind children of how to play together cooperatively. This is further supported by staff understanding what the current interests are and ensuring that there are enough resources to meet children's needs.

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need to do better?

n As a new setting, the provider is passionate about developing secure relationships with parents and promoting the well-being of staff. Together the staff regularly reflect on the routines and the curriculum to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the children. Furthermore, the provider, takes effective action to address any concerns, in order to promote children's safety. During the inspection, they took immediate steps to ensure that risk assessments are effective. For example, they reflected on the width that windows open on the first floor and rectified this to ensure that children are safe. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff ensure that they gather information from parents to meet children's individual needs. Furthermore, the provider liaises effectively with outside agencies, such as the local authority, and specialist teachers to ensure that the

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need to do better?

strategies they are using in the nursery are effective in progressing children's development. All children are making good levels of progress from their starting points. n Staff begin to promote children's independence and personal hygiene practices.

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need to do better?

17 October 2024 For example, they support children to wash their hands before mealtimes. However, when staff wipe children's noses, they do not always give them the opportunity to have a go themselves or explain the importance of personal hygiene. Furthermore, staff are not consistent with handwashing after seeing to children's personal care needs. n Children enjoy the regular opportunities they have to be physical in their play. Older children show confidence in the garden and play together well. They initiate games that are based on their current interests. For instance, when children are busy making 'dinosaur soup', the staff model writing this on the chalk board, and this then encourages the children to copy the letters making their own marks. Babies are provided with opportunities to develop their emerging physical skills as they climb and move with confidence over and around the soft play. Staff offer babies support and provide encouragement for

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need to do better?

them to try things on their own. Furthermore, they introduce early mathematics as they count the steps that children take. n The provider offers a thorough induction and offers training opportunities for staff to enhance and develop their knowledge and skills. However, the ongoing coaching and mentoring for staff, particularly those who work with the younger children, are not targeted enough to further strengthen their practice and help raise teaching to the highest level. n Staff gather and make good use of information from parents to help children settle, but also to ensure that they are meeting the individual needs of all children. During these initial meetings, staff also gather information regarding children's home lives, their cultures and religions to ensure that all children feel included. Regular information is shared between parents and staff during drop- off and collection times and through electronic communication. This supports

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need to do better?

parents in understanding what their children are doing at the nursery and how to further support their learning at home. n Staff offer a language-rich environment. They pose questions to extend children's thinking. For example, as older children role play being doctors, staff teach children about different treatments, such as medicines and equipment. This allows children to learn new words and develop their social skills as they help to care for one another. Staff working with younger children develop children's speech through regular singing, action songs and sharing books.

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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:

17 October 2024 n develop hygiene practices, so they are consistently followed, and ensure that hygiene standards are of the highest quality n strengthen the ongoing coaching and mentoring of staff to help raise teaching to a consistently high level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2796609 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10365369 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 60 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Abacus Children's Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01622924733 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Abacus Nursery registered in 2024. It is based in Headcorn, Kent. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of whom, four are qualified at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded care and early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

17 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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