Caring Kindergartens

Inspection of Caring Kindergartens 4 Blue Star Grove, Brooklands Square, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK10 7HB

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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 follow an ambitious curriculum that meets their needs well. The intent for what children will learn is clear and concise. Staff encourage children to develop resilience, individuality and curiosity. This is evidently effective, as children approach their learning with enthusiasm and excitement. Staff place a strong focus on supporting children to make good progress in their communication and language skills. Children make gains in their personal, social and emotional development and are empathetic and considerate towards each other. The curriculum is successfully woven through all learning activities and well embedded in all rooms for all ages of children. Consequently, all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their development.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with clear expectations for behaviour and are good role models. Children consistently behave well. Families are welcomed into the warm and friendly nursery. Parents take children to their nursery room and exchange information with their child's key person. This close working relationship helps children to settle, as staff are well informed about how well children have slept and how they are feeling.

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need to do better?

n Children enjoy a broad range of activities that promote their interest and curiosity. Staff are attentive and provide timely support that encourages children to progress. They quickly identify when children's progress does not meet expectations. Staff work in partnership with other professionals to develop plans for support. This early intervention enables staff to provide consistent and well- targeted support for children. Staff are tenacious in making sure that they continually strive to provide children with a flexible and effective curriculum. n Staff confidently promote children's communication and language skills. In the baby room, staff provide a running commentary of the daily activities, so children hear language as they play. Staff recognise, value and respond to babies' early attempts at talking. This increases their confidence in communicating. As children get older, staff read with them, sing songs and

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need to do better?

encourage two-way conversations. They get down to children's level, showing interest and asking open questions. In turn, this stimulates children's desire to talk. The nursery is a thriving hub of busy conversations. When children are non- verbal, staff find multiple ways to encourage them to express themselves and their needs. n Children enjoy energetic physical play. They climb, using all their effort to pull themselves up and then excitedly slide down. Staff are available, encouraging them, but keep enough distance for children to try for themselves. This risk-and-

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need to do better?

1 April 2025 challenge play encourages children to be fearless in trying new things and testing out the limits of their physical abilities. n The provider has recently introduced more robust procedures for managing children's food allergies at the nursery. Staff double-check meals and check the temperature before serving them to children. However, the current arrangements at mealtimes do not always support children and their behaviour. This is because children sit waiting for staff to organise their meals. Some children become restless, and occasionally, they walk around with their cutlery in their mouths, drop their cups on the floor and then drink from them. This means that their good health and safety, which is otherwise always promoted excellently, is not fully supported. n Through authentic teaching and shared learning, children observe positive representations of the rich and diverse cultures that reflect their local community

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need to do better?

and the wider world they live in. This is reflected in staff's storytelling, children's dressing-up clothing and positive, open discussions between staff and children. n Overall, staff support children's health and well-being effectively. However, staff are not consistently vigilant in making sure that young children receive clear messages about promoting good health. Sometimes, staff are not swift in wiping children's noses and washing their dirty hands when they have been playing outdoors. Consequently, young children are not learning about reducing risks to their health, especially when they still explore the world through putting things in their mouths. n There is a stable team of staff at the nursery who are well motivated and enthusiastic about their work. The provider encourages staff development and progression in their careers. Staff at all levels demonstrate a secure understanding about their role in keeping children safe and recognising when

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need to do better?

they might be at risk of harm. Collaborative partnerships with parents are highly beneficial for children's learning, development and well-being.

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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 refine the mealtime routines so that they more effectively meet the needs of children n provide children with clear and consistent messages so they learn about good health practice and how to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2501828 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10395126 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 131 Number of children on roll 127 Name of registered person C K Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01908 229 662 Date of previous inspection 21 October 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Caring Kindergartens was registered in 2018. It is situated in Brooklands, Milton Keynes. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. The nursery employs 19 members of staff, 12 of whom have appropriate childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The setting offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years and children in receipt of funding for disadvantage.

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Inspection activities

n This inspection was prioritised following a risk assessment process. n The inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum and observed its implementation during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager and the area manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection, and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

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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

1 April 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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