Kids' Zone

Inspection of Kids' Zone Another Place, The Lake, Watermillock, Penrith CA11 0LP

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

The setting provides a wonderfully well-equipped, child-friendly space for children to play, learn and socialise while on holiday. As children arrive to start their session, they are welcomed with warm smiles and focused attention. Children quickly form secure attachments with staff as they cuddle up to them, involve them in their play and demonstrate that they feel safe in their care.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are strong role models in supporting children's behaviour and attitudes. Staff listen carefully to what the children say by giving them their full attention. They teach children how to positively respond to the needs of others. For instance, children are encouraged to make room in the tepee by 'squeezing up'. They are praised for being kind and sharing resources, which encourages them to repeat this behaviour in other situations. Children chat excitedly to each other as they experiment with torches, curiously exploring the wood knots and shapes of marks in the wood. Consequently, children develop key social skills and quickly form friendships as they joyfully play together.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from a variety of well-planned activities that encourage them to be active, gain new knowledge and develop their social skills. For instance, children who attended the evening forest school session excitedly talk about the dens and shelters they built using logs and sticks for the animals living around the hotel. Others eagerly share how they used a tape measure with numbers to measure a stick they found, exclaiming that 'It was super long,' and how they used binoculars to see the lake and the mountains. Many children ask their parents to let them return, expressing the desire to play more. This enthusiasm demonstrates how happy and settled the children feel in this exciting and welcoming environment

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents praise the caring staff and child-friendly environment, noting their children's excitement about activities. They value the helpful feedback for extending learning at home. n This is a well-organised setting where dedicated staff work passionately together to deliver high-quality, ambitious learning experiences for children. Professional development is carefully targeted to ensure that the entire team benefits from continuous opportunities to enhance their expertise. This leads to enriched learning opportunities for children, where they learn and thrive. n Staff offer children various opportunities to develop their speaking, listening and communication skills. They set up play spaces designed to promote literacy, where children can interact with stories and rhymes and practise vocabulary through conversation. This approach allows children to participate in dialogue that supports development across areas of the curriculum.

p.2

need to do better?

18 August 2025 n Staff effectively use everyday moments to support children's emotional development. For example, during plastic construction block play, children share fears about wasps and staff help them discuss these feelings and coping strategies. These carefully targeted conversations expand children's emotional vocabulary constructively. n Staff quickly identify children's interests and skills through play, such as building a plane to go on an imaginary holiday. Staff use these opportunities to guide learning, encouraging children to discuss materials and collaboratively problem- solve. As children join in, they adapt ideas, adding seats, wings and even troubleshooting with parachutes and making a battery charger to make the plane go. Staff promote teamwork and negotiation, which contributes to the strong progress children make. n Children enjoy positive experiences at the setting. Staff create an engaging

p.2

need to do better?

curriculum based on parents' input from the online booking form, focusing on children's interests and care needs. They assess children's development using their expertise but do not actively gather detailed information about children's prior skills and knowledge before entry. As a result, staff do not have strong enough information to plan more targeted, challenging learning that builds on children's existing knowledge and enables optimal progress. n Staff provide effective support for children to develop their understanding of nature and the natural world. They skilfully integrate broader learning concepts into activities. For example, when children dig up potatoes, staff prompt them to use mathematical terms such as 'small', 'large' and 'gigantic' to compare different weights. When children encounter a worm, they discuss its length and find a 'smaller' one to compare. Consequently, children make good progress

p.3

need to do better?

across all areas of learning through a comprehensive and balanced educational approach. n Leadership and management is highly effective. Staff report that they feel valued and supported and that their well-being is prioritised. This strong collaborative approach has created inclusive, nurturing environments where every child's needs are carefully listened to and met.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n consider ways to encourage parents' involvement in sharing information about what children know and can do before they attend to enhance their learning

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY547583 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10399350 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7 Name of registered person Another Place Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01768 486442 Date of previous inspection 28 November 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Kids' Zone registered in 2017 and operates from a purpose-built building in the grounds of Another Place Hotel in the Lake District. The setting employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold qualified teacher status and ten hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The setting is open Monday to Sunday, all year round. Session times vary depending on the time of the year, the days of the week and the ages of children attending.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector spent the majority of her time observing children's play, indoors and outdoors. She interacted with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n The inspector conducted a learning walk with the manager to find out how they organise the early years curriculum. She and the manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector sampled documentation, including admission booking forms and staff qualifications.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

18 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7