Busy Bees Day Nursery at Maidstone Ragstone House

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children of all ages and abilities are settled, confident and very happy at the stimulating and welcoming setting. Staff ensure that they engage all children, as they have a clear understanding of how they embed their chosen curriculum well. Children are eager to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. For example, older children explore science as they make erupting volcanoes. They learn about what happens when they mix different materials. They are excited to watch their experiment work as the volcano erupts. Younger children enjoy exploring art. For instance, they investigate different ways to make marks, such as using pattern rollers and animals in paint.

Staff are positive role models, and all children know what is expected of them. Therefore, they are polite and behave very well. Children develop good social skills. They play happily together and share and take turns. Younger children are well supported to understand how to develop these valuable skills. For example, they use a visual sand timer to indicate when their time is up on a resource. Children of all ages develop good physical skills. For example, they confidently learn about the different ways they can move their bodies in yoga activities.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• The manager and staff establish very secure and trusting relationships with all children. They get to know their individual personalities well. This includes fully understanding their interests, needs and abilities. Children of all ages have a good sense of belonging and positive levels of well-being and self-esteem.
• All children demonstrate a positive attitude towards their learning. Staff support all children to make good progress. This includes those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, staff liaise closely with other agencies, such as speech and language specialists. They observe children together at the setting and implement strategies that support them. This includes introducing simple sign language.
• Overall, children are engaged in their learning experiences. However, staff do not always recognise when children would benefit from being included in an activity. For example, during planned activities, staff do not quickly notice that children are keen to join in the learning experience. But, all children are generally very happy and confident.
• All staff, including the manager, establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak very highly of them. Staff keep them well involved and informed in their children's learning and achievements. Staff share helpful ideas with parents to help them support their children's learning at home. For example, they share activity ideas and information, such as toileting tips.
• The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide. She routinely observes staff teach children and provides them with constructive and helpful feedback. Staff evaluate their practice together and discuss daily what went well and what they would do differently. They use their findings to support their future practice.
• All staff attend regular training. They have learned about how to manage any challenging behaviour. This includes more specific aspects of children's development, such as biting. This has supported staff to ensure all children know what is expected of them in a safe and appropriate way.
• Staff have worked hard as a team to ensure that the setting is hygienic and safe and have succeeded in doing this, overall. However, staff do not always ensure that all children consistently understand and follow hygiene rules. This includes not using cutlery that has been dropped on the floor and placing items in their mouth. Nevertheless, children have good opportunities to develop their physical well-being. For example, they learn about the importance of brushing their teeth.
• All staff help children to develop a good understanding of other peoples' similarities and differences outside of their own communities and experiences. This includes different festivals and languages. For example, children learn about Holi and learn songs in other languages, such as Bulgarian.
• Staff support all children to develop confident communication skills. Children enjoy a language-enriched environment. All children, including the youngest, have opportunities to learn new words and widen their vocabulary.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• further improve teaching to make sure all children who show interest are consistently engaged in small-group activities
• help staff understand the importance of ensuring all children consistently follow good hygiene routines.