Bright Sparks Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Bright Sparks Day Nursery & Pre-School King's College Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust, Orpington Hospital, Sevenoaks Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 9JU

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has not taken sufficient action to address some of the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection. This has resulted in repeated breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements and has a significant impact on children's safety and welfare.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite this, the provider has made several improvements to the curriculum for children's learning. Leaders and managers aim high for individual children and monitor planning to ensure it is effective, to address any gaps in individual children's learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Children thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air. Staff show them how to use a spade to dig a hole in the soil, plant the seedlings and water them. They support young children to build confidence in exploring physical skills, such as climbing steps while using play equipment outdoors.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff support young children to learn to take turns during play, for instance, as they share resources in the sensory room. Older children are polite and say 'Please can I swap with you?' as they share equipment during outdoor play. Children are settled and enjoy their time at the setting.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders and managers understand the uniqueness of the communities they serve and ensure the provision meets the needs of children and their families.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not have appropriate arrangements to monitor the quality of the provision and identify weaknesses. They have not taken adequate steps to prioritise improvements and meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. The provider has not provided Ofsted with the information required to determine the suitability of leaders who are responsible for the setting. n The provider does not ensure that all staff, including those who lead safeguarding at the setting, understand which agencies to contact should they need to escalate concerns outside the organisation. Some staff do not know the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation. These weaknesses in staff knowledge and understanding compromise children's safety. n Since the previous inspection, the provider has improved support for staff well- being. Leaders and managers have made some improvements to the supervision, training and support for staff. However, this is yet to be fully

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need to do better?

embedded. While the improvements have been effective to strengthen the curriculum, staff knowledge of safeguarding matters is not secure. n Leaders and managers ensure that the curriculum is effective to support all

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need to do better?

9 September 2025 children to build strong foundations for their future learning. Children who speak English as an additional language build confidence in communicating with their peers. Children of all backgrounds feel valued. They benefit from praise and encouragement from staff and are eager to explore the activities staff plan for them. n Staff support children well to help them build on their independence. Older children develop a sense of belonging, for instance they assist staff in setting up place mats for lunchtime. Staff show younger children how to hold their knife and fork effectively to chop food into smaller pieces. Staff understand the emotional needs of children who learn routines, such as using the toilet independently, and promote children's learning through positive interactions. n Staff plan well to stimulate children's love for books. Older children thoroughly enjoy a book reading activity, holding up props, repeating animal sounds and

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need to do better?

guessing what comes next. They demonstrate an understanding of the story and learn new vocabulary. For example, when staff asked children what the surprise was in the story, children recalled the story and said that it was the 'tangerines' found in the 'basket'. n Staff plan healthy meal menus for children. As children taste vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli, they chat with children about the benefits of healthy foods. Children lift their arms to show vegetables make them strong. Staff discuss with them that they need strong muscles to use the monkey bars in the garden. Staff support children well to build the foundations of a healthy lifestyle. n Staff do not plan some group activities well enough to maintain focus on the aims of the activity. For example, during an activity aimed to support individual children with speech sounds, the group size meant that staff were unable to implement their plans. Nevertheless, overall, the quality of staff interactions with

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need to do better?

children is good and the chatty environment means children build well on their vocabulary and language skills. n Parents provide positive views about the staff and praise them for the support they provide children and the progress children make.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

9 September 2025 ensure that you provide Ofsted with the required information to complete the suitability checks of individuals who represent the organisation 26/09/2025

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Due date

ensure that all staff, including the setting's lead practitioner for safeguarding, have a secure knowledge and understanding of the procedures to escalate concerns, particularly when a referral needs to be made to outside agencies 26/09/2025

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Due date

ensure that staff are supported to refresh and maintain the knowledge and skills required to implement their roles and responsibilities effectively, particularly with regards to safeguarding children. 26/09/2025

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should:

n strengthen planning to increase focus on the aims intended for individual children's learning, particularly during some group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2528505 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10409278 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 65 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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reference number

Telephone number 01689865246 Date of previous inspection 8 April 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Sparks Day Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2019. It is situated in the grounds of Orpington Hospital, in the London Borough of Bromley. It operates Monday to Friday, from 7am to 6.30pm, all year round, providing care for children of staff in the King's College NHS Foundation Trust. The nursery employs 17 members of staff, all of whom hold childcare qualifications at level 3 or above. The provider offers government funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The 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 The inspector took account of the views of children, staff and parents. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during an outdoor activity. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff and proof of paediatric first-aid qualifications. n The inspector spoke with leaders and managers about the setting's self- evaluation and action taken since the previous inspection.

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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

9 September 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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