Growing Together Nursery

Inspection of Growing Together Nursery Newington Children's Centre, Princess Margaret Avenue, RAMSGATE, Kent CT12 6HX

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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 arrive at the friendly nursery with smiles on their faces. Staff greet them at the door while children find their peg to hang up their belongings. Staff take this time to talk with families and ask how the children are feeling. This means that staff know how to support the children's emotions throughout the day. Staff work hard to ensure that this is a family-centred nursery. Everyone is welcome and valued. This helps children to settle into the nursery and thrive in the environment created.

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The provision is good

Leaders create a well-sequenced curriculum around themes such as 'the world' and 'our differences'. They ensure that these experiences reflect children's interests and curiosities by planning exciting learning activities. For example, when children show an interest in worms, staff help them create their own wormery. Children enjoy observing the worm's habitat as they learn about the natural world.

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The provision is good

Overall, children are generally well behaved. Staff are positive role models and encourage children to share and take turns. They use visual prompts to help children manage transitions and know what is happening next. When children become upset, staff are quick to intervene. They help them work through their emotions. Children make good progress against their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Staff interact well with children and encourage them to make choices. For example, children think about how they would like to decorate their own superheroes. They demonstrate critical-thinking skills as they work out how to attach the cape they have cut. Staff ask them how many eyes they are going to add. Children take pride in their work and are eager to show their friends what they have made. n Lunchtime is a social occasion. Staff sit with children and use this time to help promote independence. For example, staff teach children to pour their yoghurt drinks into a bowl and practise eating with a spoon. Children place dirty cutlery and plates into a washing-up bowl before looking in the mirror to wipe their own faces. Staff promote self-care, and children learn how to do things for themselves. n Staff make good use of their observations to recognise when children need more support. They work with parents to make quick referrals, ensuring that they

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need to do better?

receive the help they need. Staff have good strategies for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). However, these are not always applied with consistency to help children that need support to regulate their behaviour. n Staff plan focused activities every day, which the children call the 'Kitchen Fun

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need to do better?

3 July 2025 Club'. Here, staff help children make progress towards their next steps in small groups. For example, staff teach children how to use scissors safely to cut out paper shapes. Staff ask the children questions to spark conversation, allowing children to develop their communication skills. n Children spend time outdoors in the well-equipped garden. Staff encourage children to work together to use large blocks, ramps and tyres to build an obstacle course. They show great perseverance as they use a small shovel to fill up pots with earth. Children enjoy having time in the fresh air and developing their gross motor skills. n Each session starts with a welcome time. Staff encourage children to dance and explain that this helps to wake up their bodies. They then greet their friends by signing 'hello'. Throughout the day, children take part in group times where staff organise games and read stories. However, staff do not recognise and respond

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need to do better?

quickly enough when children become disengaged in these sessions. This means, at times, children lose focus and attention on their learning. n Parent partnerships are positive. Staff share information with families each day and hold parent consultations every term. Parents say that they look forward to these meetings to discuss their child's progress. Staff give them ideas of activities and games to play to help their child's development further. Parents feel well informed about their child's progress and how they can help at home.

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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 use the agreed strategies to encourage children with SEND to regulate their behaviour n enhance the planning and delivery of large group times so that staff can prioritise their interactions and fully support children's play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2741791 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10408096 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Thanet Early Years Project

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reference number

Telephone number 01843 581844 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Growing Together Nursery registered in 2023. It is one of three nurseries run by The Thanet Early Years Project and is located in Newington Children's Centre, Ramsgate. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.30pm, during term time only. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds a relevant early years qualification at level 6, three hold a qualification at level 3 and two hold qualifications at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and the 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 Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during a craft activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting 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

3 July 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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