Alpha Kindergarten (Fletton)

Inspection of Alpha Kindergarten (Fletton) 66 Fletton Avenue, Peterborough PE2 8AU

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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 warmly greet children as they arrive for the day. Children quickly settle and enjoy their time in the nursery. Key-person bonds are strong, and children demonstrate the close relationships that have formed. Babies particularly welcome cuddles, eye-contact and a friendly smile. Older children easily approach staff with their wants and needs and huddle closely to staff to listen to stories in small groups or on an individual basis.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They are willing to have a go and try new things. Children are provided with a wide range of sensory opportunities that support them to be curious and creative. Babies excitedly squelch paint through their fingers and enjoy splashing in water. Other children use their fingers to roll dough into wriggly worms and different vegetables, which develops into conversations about healthy foods. The eldest children make sandcastles in the sand and relate this to their own visit to the beach. Children are learning how to form friendships. They play games together and learn how to work as a team, such as carrying a heavy bucket of water from the tap to the water tray. Staff help children to understand how to share and take turns from a young age.

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need to do better?

n Leaders regularly evaluate the nursery and the practice of their staff to ensure that children consistently benefit from good-quality childcare and education. There is a clear focus on promoting and encouraging staff's ongoing professional development so that their knowledge of childcare and education is constantly refreshed. Leaders give good consideration to the well-being of their staff, providing access to a number of health and well-being support packages. Staff say they feel well supported in their role. n Staff plan around children's emerging interests and have a clear understanding of what they can do and what they need to do next. There is a clear focus on building children's independence and preparation for school. Staff plan and create an environment, especially indoors, that gives children access to a broad range of play and learning opportunities that motivate them to learn. However, planning for outdoor learning is not as embedded and sometimes children are

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need to do better?

not as motivated to explore and engage. n Stories and songs form part of everyday routines that help to develop children's communication and language skills. There is a strong emphasis on developing a love of reading both in the nursery and at home. Older children show an interest in writing their name and independently access their name cards to do so with staff, sounding out the letters as they write. In large-group times, children are learning vital listening and attention skills that help prepare them for the transition to school.

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need to do better?

5 February 2025 n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support from all staff. Additional funding is used effectively, such as providing extra sessions to help benefit children's developmental needs. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to help children make good progress while attending the nursery. Staff implement strategies, such as using objects of reference, to help children understand what is happening next as part of their routines. n Staff offer good support and guidance to parents on a number of topics, such as oral health and toilet training. Parents are actively involved in their children's nursery life. They attend events, such as coffee mornings, family barbeques and Father's Day tea. A book lending library and sharing the song of the week help parents to support their children's learning at home. Parents are very positive about the nursery and appreciate the regular communication they receive.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to develop their counting skills and understanding of mathematical concepts. Learning is sequenced from simple counting with babies to some of the eldest children demonstrating that they have learned to count beyond 20. Staff introduce children to simple calculation, such as adding one more or one less duck in the water and the concept of heavy and light when playing with weighing scales.

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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 help staff to plan more effectively for outdoor play and enhance the range of experiences and learning opportunities children receive.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2711363 Local authority Peterborough Inspection number 10383068 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 113 Number of children on roll 184 Name of registered person Alpha Kindergarten Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01733 311080 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Alpha Kindergarten (Fletton) registered in 2022. The nursery employs 34 members of childcare staff. Of these, 26 hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides after-school care and a holiday club to school-aged children. The nursery provides funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager, the deputy 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 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 observed the interactions between the staff and the children. n Two joint observations of activities were carried out; one with the manager and one with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

5 February 2025 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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