Lyndhurst Nursery

Inspection of Lyndhurst Nursery 102 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1NS

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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

Children are excited to come into the nursery and feel safe as they interact with both staff and peers. The staff provide the children with a broad range of activities that successfully promote all areas of their learning. For instance, younger children roll out the play dough and cut out shapes as they develop their hand-eye coordination. Older children create large play dough cakes in preparation for their princess party. They enjoy dressing up as princesses and participating in role play as they develop their imagination. Staff ensure all children receive high-quality interactions that successfully support them with their emotional well-being and extend their learning. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children with English as an additional language.

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The provision is good

The staff have a good knowledge of the children's interests and use this to help plan a well-sequenced curriculum. For example, the younger children are fascinated by the rainbow they see in the sky. The staff use this interest in rainbows to plan a painting activity. The children are eager to use different tools to paint their own rainbow pictures. The staff name the colours with the children as they paint and offer children opportunities to explore making marks as they develop their fine motor skills.

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The provision is good

The children's behaviour is appropriate to their stage of development. They are learning about emotions as they begin to socialise and take turns with friends. For instance, staff encourage the use of sand timers, explaining how they work so that children know when it is their turn.

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need to do better?

n Outside play is a strong focus at the nursery. Staff make good use of praise to encourage children to have a go as they practise new skills. For instance, children build muscle strength as they climb on the large climbing frame. Staff encourage children to explore how their bodies move as they jump on trampettes and ride tricycles. Staff provide children with an array of experiences to develop their physical skills. n Children engage in a range of both adult-led and child-focused activities. Staff have a clear intent for children's learning. They use large-group activities to support listening skills in preparation for their next stage in life. For example, the children sit with peers at register time and enjoy choosing which song they wish to sing next. However, on occasion, the noise in the room makes it difficult for children to concentrate. The staff occasionally do not recognise when activities

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need to do better?

are too lengthy, causing some children to lose interest. As a result, some children become distracted and do not benefit from engaging in the activity. n Children are kind to their friends and are learning to socialise. The staff support

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need to do better?

26 February 2025 children as they become familiar with the nursery's daily routines. For instance, they help children to put on coats and wash their hands before lunchtime. However, staff are sometimes disorganised when moving children from one room to another and preparing for the next activity. During these times, children may be left waiting and become restless and unsure of what is happening next. n The management team has high expectations for all children. Staff who support children with SEND and children who speak English as an additional language have a very good understanding of their role. They collaborate with parents and seek support from other professionals. Staff use the knowledge gained to great effect to ensure that each child has the appropriate support. The management team has made good use of additional funding to support children's learning. For example, it has purchased extra sensory resources, and staff attend training to

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need to do better?

further support children's communication skills. This helps to ensure that children's needs are met and any gaps in their learning close as quickly as possible. n Staff have established strong partnerships with parents. They ensure there is a good two-way flow of communication. For instance, staff talk with parents at drop-off and collection times and share information through children's online learning records. Staff work closely with other settings the children attend to ensure that there is continuity in care and learning. Parents and carers state that they are very pleased with the support they receive from the nursery staff. n Management are passionate about their role. They recognise the importance of having trained staff to ensure they provide high-quality care and learning opportunities for all children. They have a good awareness of the areas of strength within the team, and staff receive regular support through one-to-one

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need to do better?

supervision. There is a clear emphasis on staffs' well-being, and staff comment on how supported they feel in their role.

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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 strengthen the planning and organisation of group activities to more effectively include and engage all children taking part n review and improve daily routines to reduce unnecessarily long waiting periods for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY292410 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10388800 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 47 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Hythe House Support Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01795 421995 Date of previous inspection 30 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Lyndhurst Nursery registered in 2004. It is located in Sittingbourne, Kent. The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, for most of the year. The provider receives funding for the provision of early education for children aged two, three and four years. They employ nine members of staff, of whom eight hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and one at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n During a learning walk with the inspector, the manager explained the aims of the nursery and the way in which they plan the early years curriculum. n Staff, including the special educational needs coordinator, spoke to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager to assess the impact of staff's teaching on children's learning. n The children talked to the inspector about what they liked to do at the nursery. n The inspector read letters of reference and spoke to several parents and carers during the inspection to take into account their views. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and looked at a selection of documentation, including records relating to 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

26 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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