Playbox Day Nursery

Inspection of Playbox Day Nursery Biggins Wood Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4NE

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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 settled at this calm and inclusive nursery. Familiar and enthusiastic staff greet them as they arrive, helping them to settle quickly. Children confidently hang up their things and enter the room ready to start their day. Staff are caring and gentle and form good bonds with the children. They provide many play opportunities for children to build positive friendships with their peers. Children excitedly talk about their 'best friends' and thoroughly enjoy spending time together.

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The provision is good

Staff create a very calm atmosphere, which supports children to be happily engaged and highly focused throughout the day. They provide children with a wide range of activities and experiences, which they are keen to get involved with. Staff show genuine enthusiasm and excitement for the learning experiences they offer. For example, children delight in watching the nursery ducklings hatch, while staff eagerly teach them about the life cycle of a duck.

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The provision is good

Staff plan an interesting curriculum to excite children and ignite their curiosity. They listen to children's ideas and interests and incorporate this into the learning experiences. Staff are good at encouraging children to think for themselves and to build on their independence skills. Children enjoy helping to set up activities for their friends and learn important social skills, such as taking turns and sharing resources. Staff provide various group times throughout the day, supporting children to learn valuable skills for moving on to school.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the nursery is now under new ownership. The new owners have high expectations and a clear vision for the future. They are passionate about providing a high-quality early years provision. The new owners have invested time in supporting staff to feel included in decisions about the future of the nursery, such as the new outdoor 'forest' area. All staff say that they feel well supported and valued as part of the team. n Staff complete regular assessments of children's development and identify individual targets for each child. They use this information to plan experiences that support children to make progress in their learning. The activities provided are available to children of all ages. While children do fully engage and enjoy them, sometimes staff do not always consider how to support the different abilities of the children taking part. As a result, at times the activities do not fully

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need to do better?

extend some of the most-able children's learning. n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. They speak clearly and slowly, emphasising new vocabulary for children to learn. Staff use various additional strategies for children who have language delays, such as

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need to do better?

4 June 2025 small-group time, and simple sign language. They use a range of vocabulary and regularly introduce children to new words. For example, children learn the words 'habitat, incubator' and 'hatch' when observing the ducklings. n Children behave very well and treat each other with kindness. Staff form a close team and work well together to model friendships based on respect and trust. Children exclaim with joy and excitedly ask staff to come and see how well their friends are doing on the obstacle course. Furthermore, they caringly tell staff when their friends are hurt so they can 'make them better'. n Staff treat each child as an individual and nurture and support them all to reach their full potential. They deliver small focused group activities to help close the gaps in children's learning. Furthermore, staff support quieter children by giving them extra responsibilities and involvement in daily routines. For example,

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need to do better?

children take pride in helping to set out activities for their friends. All children are encouraged to vote for things they would like, such as stories and songs. This supports all children to have a sense of belonging and high self-esteem. n Leaders and staff use additional funding effectively to ensure children who are entitled receive the support they need. Through regular observations, staff identify areas where some children require additional support, such as emotional regulation and language development. Staff skilfully implement strategies and provide resources to help these children feel safe and secure. As a result, children in receipt of additional funding thrive in this nurturing setting. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment that the new owners are approachable and respond to any communication promptly. Staff provide parents with regular updates about their children's learning via an online platform and

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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 review and improve the planning of activities to more fully support children, particularly the most-able children, to further extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY452752 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10399329 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 40 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Playbox Pre-School and Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01303273298 Date of previous inspection 27 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Playbox Day Nursery registered in 2010 and came under new ownership in 2024. The nursery is situated in the grounds of Harcourt Primary School, Cheriton, near Folkestone, Kent. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, during term time only. There are eight staff, seven of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 or above. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk together and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

4 June 2025 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

4 June 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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