Blue Sky Day Nursery And Pre School

Inspection of Blue Sky Day Nursery And Pre School Bedford House, 62 London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8QL

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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 settle well in this homely and welcoming nursery. Staff provide a nurturing environment where children feel happy, safe and comfortable to explore. Staff support children's emotional needs and prepare them well for change. For example, staff arrange gradual settling-in sessions and take time to get to know children individually. Babies experience routines that reflect those from home. As a result, children establish positive relationships with their key person and familiar staff. Furthermore, staff support children's transitions in the nursery and their move onto school effectively. All children are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

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The provision is good

The provider implements a broad and balanced curriculum based on children's individual needs and interests. Staff know children very well and the next steps in their learning. They quickly identify where children may need additional support and put in place interventions to help close any gaps in their learning. Additional funding is used well to enhance children's learning experiences. Consequently, all children make good progress.

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The provision is good

Staff are clear with their expectations for behaviour and consistently support children to understand the rules. For example, staff use visual signs and pictures to help children understand what is expected of them. Staff act as positive role models to help children learn what is right and wrong. Staff support children to make their own choices, encourage them to try things for themselves and give lots of praise. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide children with ample opportunities to help them to develop their independence well. Children confidently wash their hands, learn to manage their clothing, serve their own food and clear plates away. Furthermore, children freely access resources and activities that interest them. Practising these skills helps children to be ready for the next stage in their learning. n Staff support children's health and well-being effectively. They ensure that children's dietary requirements are followed closely and that they are provided with nutritious meals and snacks. Staff help children to understand the benefit that food has for their bodies. Children freely access the outdoors, where they can run, climb and practise their balancing skills. Furthermore, children enjoy taking part in regular movement activities, such as dance and yoga. This helps to build children's strength and coordination. n Children learn about a range of cultural events. Staff help them to find out about

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need to do better?

the local community, different countries and the similarities and differences between themselves and others. Festivals are shared in the nursery that are

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need to do better?

5 June 2025 relevant to those attending. They celebrate a culture day where parents are invited in to celebrate their cultural backgrounds. This helps children and their families to feel valued and respected. n Overall, the curriculum is well planned and builds on what children already know and can do. Staff communicate positively and play alongside children to support them in their self-chosen play. This helps to motivate children in their learning. For example, children learn to sort objects by size and differentiate big and small items. However, during some planned activities, staff do not always adapt their interactions well enough to meet the needs of all children. Consequently, some children struggle to engage and lose interest. n Generally, staff develop children's communication and language skills well. They read stories, sing songs, introduce new words and encourage conversations. This helps children to become confident communicators. However, support for

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need to do better?

children learning English as an additional language is not planned as precisely. As a result, children have fewer opportunities to hear and use their home languages in their play and learning. n Parents are very positive about the setting. They confirm that there is good communication and they feel very informed about their children's learning at the nursery. Staff offer parents ideas about how they can help support their children's learning at home. Furthermore, staff work closely with other professionals involved in children's development. This helps to provide consistency in supporting children to reach their full potential. n Leaders recognise the importance of effective supervisions and continuous professional development. Staff report feeling valued and part of a supportive team. They complete relevant training courses, such as safeguarding, child protection and safer sleeping, to help keep children safe.

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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 staff skills to adapt their interactions so that children remain engaged and their learning is fully supported, particularly during planned activities n enhance support for children learning English as an additional language to use their home languages in their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY548463 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10390095 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 36 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Hde Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01622 754267 Date of previous inspection 17 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Blue Sky Day Nursery And Pre School registered in 2017. It operates from a converted house in Maidstone, Kent. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs nine members of staff, of whom six hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery provides government funded places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times 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. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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 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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