Just Imagine Day Nursery Ltd - Vange

Inspection of Just Imagine Day Nursery Ltd - Vange The Kent View Road Community Centre, Kent View Road, Vange, Essex SS16 4JX

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

Staff transform lives for children at this exceptional nursery. Leaders and staff have developed a curriculum that is ambitious and highly effective in supporting all areas of learning. The intent is clearly focused and prepares children for their next stage in education. Teaching is tailored to reflect the experiences, needs and strengths of individual children. This includes the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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The provision is outstanding

There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, with children supported to explore and name feelings such as happy and sad. Staff place high value on nurturing empathy, kindness and respectful relationships from the earliest age. In the younger room, staff are highly attuned to nonverbal cues. They skilfully interpret gestures and babble, turning them into meaningful interactions. Staff provide warm, sensitive care, ensuring babies form secure attachments. For example, when children take a tumble, staff offer immediate comfort and reassurance, helping to quickly rebuild children's confidence.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They follow instructions and show empathy for one another. Staff create an inclusive culture where children's views are valued. They are supported to make choices and express their preferences. Children place photos on their coat pegs, which contributes to a strong sense of identity and connection within the nursery and community.

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need to do better?

n Inspirational leaders demonstrate a strong and clear vision for what they want children to learn. Their curriculum is bespoke and thoughtfully designed in the recognition of the specific context of the nursery. It is underpinned by 'four pillars' that promote clear aims. These principles are consistently and securely embedded across daily practice and routines. n Children benefit from consistently high-quality teaching that is responsive, nurturing and sharply focused on their individual learning needs. Staff have a deep understanding of how young children learn and use this knowledge to plan rich and meaningful experiences that capture children's interests and develop their skills. n Teaching is of a consistently high standard. Expert staff are highly skilled in extending children's thinking and language through rich, play-based interactions. Children are supported to express themselves confidently. During mark-making

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need to do better?

activities, staff encourage children to notice features to add to drawings. They ask pertinent questions such as 'What colour is my beard?', supporting children to develop their observational skills.

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need to do better?

5 August 2025 n Staff adapt activities to suit children's developmental stages. For example, when using balance scales, staff model vocabulary such as 'heavier' and 'lighter'. They encourage children to predict what will happen when water is added to the bucket. Staff revisit the activity with older children to deepen understanding of concepts such as equal weight and balance. n Staff are highly responsive to children's curiosity. When children discover a spider, staff support their interests while reinforcing safety messages. Children remember to tell an adult when spiders have patterns on their backs as these may be unsafe to handle. They know that they must take care of their garden friends and put them in a safe place. n Older children demonstrate a secure understanding of complex ideas. For example, they correctly identify nocturnal animals after listening to the story 'Owl Babies'. Staff share their experiences of seeing a fox during the day. This

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need to do better?

helps children to challenge their own ideas and develop their thinking. n Specialist staff work extremely closely with families and external professionals to offer tailored support to children with SEND. Strategies are shared and reviewed regularly. The nursery values professional input and uses it to enhance the provision and outcomes for children. n Equality and inclusion are central to the curriculum. Children are nurtured as unique individuals and given opportunities to express their identity and voice. Staff intentionally promote positive attitudes towards difference and diversity. They use books and resources that celebrate a range of backgrounds. n Leaders promote high expectations for all children. Staff are empowered through strong professional development and supportive leadership. Apprentices thrive in the environment. They benefit from mentoring by skilled and experienced practitioners. Leaders have implemented strong internal quality assurance

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need to do better?

systems. They have developed detailed action plans to ensure continuous improvement. n Parents speak highly of the nursery. Children are described as becoming more confident and independent. Parents note specific improvements in communication and sharing skills. They commend staff for supporting the transition to school. They describe children as being 'thoroughly excited' to be starting school and attribute this to the excellent preparation from 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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY482681 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10378181 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 22 Number of children on roll 53 Name of registered person Just Imagine Nurseries - Vange Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01268 558 604 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Just Imagine Day Nursery Ltd - Vange registered in 2014. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, apart from public holidays. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector for a learning walk and discussed their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and interactions, both inside and outdoors. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of an outdoor activity. n Parents shared their views with the inspector, and their views were taken into account. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation to demonstrate effective safeguarding.

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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 August 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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