St Aidans Nursery

Inspection of St Aidans Nursery The Vicarage, St. Gregorys Crescent, GRAVESEND, Kent DA12 4JL

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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 Good

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The provision is good

All children are settled, confident and very happy during their time at the friendly nursery. All staff have a clear understanding of how they successfully implement their challenging curriculum. They know what all children like and dislike, and this helps them plan interesting activities that they know will help keep children motivated to learn. For example, children are keen to explore flowers. Staff teach children about how they grow and talk about their senses as they encourage children to smell them. Children go on to paint flowers and make 'magic potions' using water and flower petals. Children are confident to communicate and share their ideas with confidence. For example, they use instruments, such as maracas and guitars, and sing enthusiastically into a microphone, as they perform songs to their friends.

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The provision is good

Staff teach children about the importance of following good hygiene routines. For example, they talk about the importance of handwashing and discuss oral health, as they become 'dentists'. Staff provide children with good opportunities to build on their physical skills. This is demonstrated when they confidently and safely negotiate climbing and balancing equipment. Children ride bikes with confidence, being aware of the space around them. All children learn to move in different ways. For instance, they enjoy regular dance classes.

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need to do better?

n The management and staff use additional funding to support the individual needs of children effectively. They purchase a wide range of resources and experiences to support all children to develop their physical skills. This includes children participating in regular football classes. n All staff establish positive partnerships with parents. They share helpful tips to support parents, such as toileting advice. Staff regularly share information with parents about what children are learning and their achievements. Staff help provide a consistent link between learning at the nursery and at home. For example, they share resources, such as books. n The management closely monitors the quality of care and experiences that staff provide children. They evaluate together as a team daily and reflect on what went well and what could be done differently next time. n All staff carry out regular training. This includes learning about how to fully

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need to do better?

support all children to develop their communication skills. As a result, staff implement regular communication games into the routines. This supports all children to develop their confidence in their speaking and listening skills. n All staff establish positive relationships with all children. They know how to meet their needs and how to support them to fulfil their capabilities. Staff have high expectations of all children. Therefore, all children, including those who have

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need to do better?

5 February 2025 special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), have a positive attitude towards their learning. n Overall, children behave well and follow instructions. However, staff do not consistently provide children with a clear explanation of why they are being asked to do or not do something. For example, they are politely asked to stop running indoors, without clear explanation as to why this is expected. Therefore, some children do not completely understand the expectations of their behaviour. n Staff support children with SEND effectively. They liaise closely with outside agencies, such as specialist teachers. Staff implement helpful and consistent strategies that support children. For example, they introduce visual timelines to support all children to understand and manage changes in routine well. n Overall, staff support children to develop skills to support their future learning. For instance, children are confident to choose what activities they wish to

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need to do better?

participate in. However, at times, staff are too eager to complete tasks that children are capable of completing themselves. Therefore, children do not have consistent opportunities to prepare themselves for their future learning with even more independence. n Staff teach children about other countries, traditions and festivals from around the wider world. This includes listening to Spanish music, learning about traditional Spanish dance and dressing in traditional dress, such as Indian saris and Nigerian gowns.

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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 gain confidence to consistently provide children with clear explanations of why they are being asked to follow a particular instruction n support staff to consistently provide children with consistent opportunities to complete tasks themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127571 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10376312 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St Aidans Nursery School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07715337825 Date of previous inspection 24 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St Aidans Nursery registered in 1992. It is located in Gravesend, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until midday, term-time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years old. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of whom, five hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and above. This includes one member of staff who holds Qualified Teachers Status.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a learning walk with management. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff's interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n Management shared written documentation for the inspector to review. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to management, children and staff at convenient times and considered their views. The inspector reviewed written feedback provided by parents. n The inspector and the management carried out a joint observation.

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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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