Caring Kindergartens

Inspection of Caring Kindergartens Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, PETERBOROUGH PE2 6FT

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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

Staff warmly welcome children on arrival and they settle with ease at their chosen activity. Staff are attentive, kind and form close bonds with the children they care for. Babies play and learn in a calm, relaxing environment. They confidently seek out their trusted adult for comfort when needed and enjoy close interactions, such as sitting on staff's laps to listen to a story being read. Staff help children to learn how to be responsible for their own safety. For example, in the pre-school, children know they must walk up and down the stairs holding the handrail.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time in the nursery and demonstrate a positive attitude to learning. They are curious and happy to try new things. Children are provided with a wide range of activities that support them to use their senses and be creative. They draw shapes and the letters of their name in sand, feel the texture of shaving foam and dry pasta with their hands and are curious to see what happens when they use a pipette to add drops of paint to water and foam. Children play well together and close bonds have formed with their friends. They are learning to share and take turns. For example, children understand that they must wait until the child before them leaves the garden slide before sliding themselves.

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need to do better?

n There is a strong focus on developing children's independence and promoting their self-care skills as they prepare for their life ahead. This learning is sequenced well right from the baby room, where babies are encouraged to find their cup and begin feeding themselves. Older children serve themselves at mealtimes and learn to clear away and wash their plates and cups after use. They toilet independently and snuffle stations placed throughout the nursery encourage children to wipe their noses and faces with tissues, when required, throughout the day. This helps children to take responsibility for their own care needs. Furthermore, staff help children to begin to understand why oral health is important. n Staff know all the children well. They plan for children's learning, helping to build on what they know and can do in preparation for starting school. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals, when children require additional

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need to do better?

support in their learning. Overall, staff demonstrate good teaching skills and an understanding of how children learn. Staff engage and support children during activities to help them learn and achieve new skills. However, some staff do not always recognise when they need to adapt their teaching to fully challenge and extend children's learning. n Singing and stories are a key part of daily practice, helping to promote children's communication and language skills. Staff regularly sing to babies, especially at transition times in the routine, helping to calm and relax them. Babies listen

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need to do better?

13 June 2025 intently and some begin to copy the actions of staff as they sing. They clap themselves and cheer, expressing their enjoyment. n Older children demonstrate good communication skills; they are articulate and ask questions to help expand their knowledge. They confidently use language to express their wants and needs. However, on occasions during activities, some staff tend to ask children too many questions in quick succession and give little time to answer. This does not allow children time to process what is being asked and respond, and at times can be overwhelming. n Partnerships with parents are a real strength of the nursery. Close relationships have formed with parents and there is a consistent two-way flow of information throughout their children's nursery life. Staff ensure parents are well informed about different aspects of child development, such as the benefits of messy play, how babies develop and school expectations, in face-to-face sessions. This helps

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need to do better?

them to complement and support learning at home. Parents say they are very happy with the care provided for their children. n Leaders have clear systems in place to evaluate the nursery and the practice of staff to ensure children receive a high level of care. After a recent incident, risk assessments for children with allergies was thoroughly reviewed and further steps implemented to ensure children only receive foods appropriate for them. Staff working in the setting feel listened to and supported; and good consideration is given to their happiness and well-being. Staff engage with consistent professional development opportunities that help to extend their knowledge and skills.

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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 help staff to understand how to consistently extend children's learning n give children more time to respond to questions and develop their thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 256754 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10408535 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 112 Number of children on roll 81 Name of registered person Caring Kindergartens Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01733 361111 Date of previous inspection 19 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Caring Kindergartens registered in 1996. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 The inspector and the deputy manager carried out two joint observations of group activities. n Parents shared their views of the setting, both verbally and in writing with the inspector. 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

13 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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