Hand in Hand Nursery

Inspection of Hand in Hand Nursery Newlands Children's Centre, Dumpton Lane, RAMSGATE, Kent CT11 7AJ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and very well supported by staff at the nursery. Staff place great importance on getting to know every child and family well. This enables staff to tailor activities that promote children's emotional well-being. For example, staff greet children with pots of bubbles as they arrive for their session. Children squeal with delight as they pop the bubbles they blow. This helps them separate from their parents with confidence and settle quickly. Children's behaviour is generally good. Staff are quick to offer help to those who struggle to regulate their actions. They acknowledge children's emotions and support them to explain why they feel happy or sad.

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The provision is good

Staff design a sequenced curriculum that challenges all children to develop their curiosity and love of learning. They strive to ensure that children make the best possible progress before they start school. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is very good. Staff work tirelessly with professionals and parents to ensure children get the right support. Specialist teachers visit the nursery regularly and help staff implement effective teaching strategies. For example, staff use Makaton alongside picture cards to help children communicate. This enables children to express their wants and needs and immerse themselves in nursery life.

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need to do better?

n Mathematics is well embedded throughout the nursery. Staff count the number of children in the room and children repeat the numbers. Children model this in their play. For example, they add eyes to their play dough monster and correctly count how many they have used. Staff are building children's understanding of number from a young age. n Staff plan meaningful activities that focus on what the children in their key group need to learn next. For example, they use simple group games, such as 'Pairs', to promote children's working memory and social skills. However, due to the way activities are organised, not all children who show an interest, or those who would benefit from the activity, have the opportunity to join. This means that not all children have the same high-quality opportunities to reach their fullest potential. n Staff have effective strategies in place to support the high number of children

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need to do better?

who speak English as an additional language. For example, staff learn words in children's first language, which includes Romanian, Arabic and Turkish. This helps children who speak English as an additional language to make good progress in their communication skills and become confident talkers. n Staff reflect and make changes to meet children's emerging interests. For example, when children use role play to enact their lived experiences, staff are

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need to do better?

28 November 2024 quick to enhance the environment. They add different items to the play kitchen so children can add toppings to their pretend pizza. This helps to develop children's imagination, creativity and social skills. n Staff encourage children to develop their independence. For example, they show children how to put on their own coats and support them to pour water from a small jug. However, these interactions are not always consistent, and staff complete tasks that children are capable of. For example, staff put aprons on children and hang their coats up for them. This limits their opportunities to practise new skills. n Building relationships with families is at the heart of the nursery. Staff provide considerable support for parents. For example, staff help to translate legal documents and signpost to support services. Parents feedback that the nursery staff are 'wonderful' and 'approachable'. They speak highly of the nurturing care

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need to do better?

and education their children receive. n Staff have effective processes for monitoring children's progress. This provides them with a good understanding of what children already know and need to learn next. This means they are quick to identify when children need more support. Staff make timely referrals to external services so that they get the help that they need. This helps prevent children falling further behind and prepares them well for school. n All staff have regular supervision where they discuss their well-being. Staff feedback that they feel listened to and value team meetings with other nurseries in their group. They share ideas and good practice between each other to improve the overall quality of teaching.

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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 develop the organisation of group activities to enable all children to participate in learning activities n provide children with opportunities they need to practise and embed their developing independence skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY336529 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10367633 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 44 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Thanet Early Years Project

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reference number

Telephone number 01843587465 Date of previous inspection 15 February 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Hand in Hand Nursery registered in 2006. It is one of three nurseries run by The Thanet Early Years Project and is located in Newlands Children's Centre, Ramsgate. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.30pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs eight staff. Of these, one holds a relevant early years qualification at level 6 and six hold level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual 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 manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of a fine motor skill activity. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

28 November 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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