Setting 2818894

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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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 are happy and settled at this small, friendly setting. Staff know children well and build close bonds with them. Children's uniqueness is valued. Staff know what children like to play with and how they like to learn. They use this information to construct a challenging curriculum. Staff set up the environment well to support children's next steps in learning. For example, they use children's love of books to teach them about emotions. Children use soft characters linked to the book to name how they are feeling. This has a positive effect on the outcomes for children.

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The provision is good

Children show a positive attitude to learning. They keep trying when faced with a challenge. For example, they build their own tower with crates to climb up and jump off. Initially, children need the support of staff to help them achieve this. As they build their confidence, they jump without help. This impacts positively on their emotional well-being and development of character. Staff make good use of the setting's minibus. Children make regular visits in the local community, such as the beach, library and petting farm. These experiences help broaden children's knowledge of the world around them.

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need to do better?

n Staff make ongoing assessments of children's learning. They use this information to monitor that children are making progress in all areas. Staff provide support for children who may need additional help. They work closely with parents to ensure individual needs are met. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are making good progress in their learning. n Children's early mathematical skills are developing well. Staff use positional language and explore volume with children when they are playing with water. Staff count with children and compare the number counted with the written number. This gives children a good base for their next stage in learning. n Children develop good communication and language skills. Staff use single words to support younger children's growing speech. Older children benefit from lots of conversations during the day where staff introduce new words, such as

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need to do better?

'conker'. These strategies help build children's vocabulary. n Staff promote healthy lifestyles. They support parents to bring in healthy lunch boxes and snacks. Children know to wash their hands before they eat. Children play outside daily in the well-resourced garden. They plant seeds such as tomatoes and marrows. Children watch them grow and explore them when picked. This gives children an understanding of the life cycle of plants. n Staff carefully plan the routine of the day to maximise learning opportunities. Younger children explore play foam and frozen water, taking delight in how they feel on their hands. However, group times are not planned as effectively. Some children do not wish to join in and groups last longer than some children are

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need to do better?

26 September 2025 able to concentrate. n On the whole, children behave well. They form close friendships with their peers. Children role play with small characters, each adding to the storyline. Staff stay close by and add more resources to extend children's learning. Staff are kind and caring in their approach if they have to intervene to support children to share and take turns. This helps children to flourish. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents are happy with the service the setting offers their children. They comment that a real strength is the opportunity their children have to participate in regular trips. Staff regularly share what children have been learning and how to continue this at home. Children benefit from a shared approach. n Leaders focus strongly on staff's well-being and professional development. Staff report they have a manageable workload and feel fully supported by leaders.

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need to do better?

They complete regular short courses to expand their knowledge. This helps improve the quality of the provision.

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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 staff's implementation of group times to consistently meet the needs of all children who take part.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2818894 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10420474 Type of provision Childcare on 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 19 Number of children on roll 23

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Sand & Stars is based in Minster-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey. It operates Monday to Friday from 6am to 6.30pm, all year around. The setting currently employs six members of staff, all of whom hold a relevant qualification at level 2 and above. The setting provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children, both indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke with parents and reviewed written testimonials during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

26 September 2025 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

26 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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