Kids Planet Durham

Inspection of Kids Planet Durham 5 City West Business Park, St John's Road, Durham DH7 8ER

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe, content, and happy. Their needs are placed at the heart of this welcoming and inviting nursery. Children arrive eager to start their day, happily greeting their friends and staff. Staff warmly welcome children and parents, engaging them in friendly conversation. Children build close, meaningful relationships with staff, who know them well and respond to their needs with kindness and care.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning. Staff thoughtfully arrange resources to spark children's curiosity. For example, outdoors, children experiment with water, exploring concepts of volume by filling containers and pouring water through different tubes. They delight in discovering that sponges can absorb water. Older children are highly motivated and deeply engaged for extended periods.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff provide excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work in close partnership with external agencies, such as educational psychologists, to develop effective target plans tailored to each child's needs. Leaders make good use of additional funding to ensure that children with SEND benefit from targeted resources and support, including one-to-one interactions and access to a sensory room. As a result, children with SEND make strong progress in relation to their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have developed a curriculum that supports children to gain the essential skills and knowledge they need for the future. Overall, staff have a strong understanding of their teaching approach and the purpose behind it. They use assessment and planning to create a range of engaging experiences that support children's learning. However, at times, staff focus their teaching on a broad area of learning, and do not fully consider children's individual next steps during experiences. This means teaching is not always tailored to what each child needs to learn next. n Staff build excellent relationships with parents and keep them well informed and involved in their child's learning. Parents have access to an online platform where they can view photos and regular updates about their child. Leaders have created a purpose-built room for parents which helps them feel welcome and included. The nursery offers a wealth of resources, including advice on oral

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need to do better?

health, and books and activities for children to enjoy at home. Parents report that they are happy with all aspects of their children's care and education. n Leaders are highly reflective and monitor all aspects of the nursery with a focus on achieving the best outcomes for children. They gather feedback from parents and staff, which informs their reflective practice. Leaders closely monitor staff

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need to do better?

30 June 2025 performance and provide targeted training to enhance skills and knowledge. For example, recent training on behaviour management has enabled staff to adopt consistent strategies when supporting children's behaviour. Staff feel highly valued and have regular opportunities to discuss their well-being. n Staff have high expectations for children's independence. The nursery environment is thoughtfully arranged to encourage children to explore and make choices independently. At mealtimes, children are supported to serve their own snacks and drinks, fostering self-reliance. Older children take pride in being 'helpers', setting up tables in preparation for meals. These experiences help prepare children well for the next stage of their education. n Children behave well and display positive attitudes to their learning. They listen to the staff's guidance as they learn to share and take turns. Staff are positive

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need to do better?

role models and support children through gentle guidance and consistent praise, helping them to understand expectations. Children understand the daily routines well. For example, they know to go and wash their hands before they eat their meals. n Staff understand the vital role that strong communication skills play in children's overall development. They actively join in with children's play, using conversation to build on children's ideas and extend their vocabulary. Children learn a 'word of the week', which is also shared with parents and carers to reinforce learning at home. Staff use a variety of strategies to support children who may find communication more challenging, including those who speak English as an additional language. n Staff make excellent use of outdoor areas to spark children's curiosity about nature. For example, children plan, sketch and build insect houses. They show great respect as they carefully observe the insects they discover, gently placing

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need to do better?

them under leaves for safety. Staff enrich these experiences by introducing books about animals, insects and plants. Children grow their own herbs and vegetables, which are often included in the nutritious, balanced meals prepared by the nursery.

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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 support staff to consistently focus their teaching on children's individual next steps during all experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2733545 Local authority Durham Inspection number 10402334 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 74 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person Kids Planet Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01914470907 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Kids Planet Durham registered in 2023 and is based in Durham. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 18 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, with the manager having Early Years Professional Status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round except for a week at Christmas and public holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery offers the government-funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged 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 curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 of the setting with the inspector. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of 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

30 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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