Chestnut Tree Day Nursery

Inspection of Chestnut Tree Day Nursery Chestnut Tree Day Nursery, 6a Nuxley Road, BELVEDERE, Kent DA17 5JF

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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

Children eagerly arrive and are welcomed by enthusiastic staff, who help them to settle into activities quickly. They explore the engaging learning environment with curiosity. Children independently move around the room, selecting the experiences they would like to engage in. Children show that they feel comfortable as they play alongside staff or enjoy sitting on their laps when listening to stories. Children benefit from effective settling-in processes. The key-person approach helps children to form secure attachments and settle in well. Children show an eagerness for learning and demonstrate high emotional well-being, confidence and good social skills.

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The provision is good

Overall, the curriculum is well sequenced and considers children's development. For example, babies and new starters learn how to build attachments and friendships in new environments. Staff encourage toddlers to learn to communicate their needs and wants. This helps them to become more independent for their next stage of learning, such as when they move on to pre-school. Staff want children to become respectful and resilient learners. They promote and ensure the inclusion of all children. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive support from dedicated and nurturing staff to achieve their full potential.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are dedicated and passionate about their roles. They provide regular and effective professional development opportunities for staff to support them to continually improve their practice. Leaders are committed to providing children and families with the best possible experiences and opportunities. n Leaders have designed a curriculum that builds on what children know and can do, helping to prepare them for their next stage in learning. There is a clear focus on developing children's independence. Staff encourage and support children effectively to take care of their personal needs. For example, children hang their belongings on their named peg and manage their personal hygiene. Staff recognise the importance of these key skills to support children's eventual transition on to school. n Leaders and staff have high expectations for children. They work together to create learning goals for individual children to achieve in each room. This helps

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need to do better?

children to build on what they already know and can do before moving on to the next room. As a result, staff manage transitions sensitively to provide continuity in children's learning. Children with SEND receive good support. Leaders and staff form strong partnerships with other professionals to help close the gaps in children's learning. n Children are eager to join in activities set up for them, such as creating constructions. However, on occasion, staff do not have a clear learning intent for

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need to do better?

19 August 2025 some activities, leading to limited interactions with children during their play. This means that children's learning can sometimes be limited and less purposeful, and they do not fully benefit from all activities they access. n Partnership working with parents and carers is successful. There is effective and ongoing communication with parents. This contributes to children having a consistent approach to their care and learning. Staff provide parents with daily personalised feedback about how their children have been and what they have been doing. Key persons share information about children's progress regularly with parents, using an online app. Staff share ways that parents can continue their child's learning at home through suggestions for activities. n Children have daily opportunities to spend time outdoors in the garden. They have opportunities to develop their larger muscles and coordination. For

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need to do better?

example, when they use and build resources to practise balancing. Staff encourage children to follow good hygiene procedures and to be independent during mealtimes. On the whole, children enjoy a balanced mix of healthy food. However, on occasion, staff do not give enough attention to ensuring that planned menus are consistently nutritious and well balanced to develop children's understanding of a healthy diet. n Leaders are reflective. They consider different ways to develop the nursery further, such as how to use the rooms more effectively. They follow effective recruitment procedures and obtain required documentation and references prior to staff joining the pre-school. However, these documents are not easily available for inspection at times.

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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 strengthen the intent for planned activities so staff can enhance their interactions to build on children's learning more consistently n review planned menus to make sure that children's meals consistently help them to understand about a well-balanced diet n enhance the systems for gathering and organising the required documentation and staff's information, ensuring that they are easily available when required.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY300179 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10398447 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 60 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Chestnut Tree Day Nursery (2004) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01322 463626 Date of previous inspection 23 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Chestnut Tree Day Nursery registered in 2004 and is located in the London Borough of Bexley. It is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. There are 16 staff who work directly with children. Of these, nine staff hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides government-funded childcare.

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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 observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an adult-led activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents and grandparents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

19 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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