Kids Planet Kings Park

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children and their families are warmly welcomed by the enthusiastic staff of this nursery. Children are calm and highly engaged as staff play music with a gentle tempo during creative activities such as painting. Children comment that the music is 'the moon and fairies'. Children look at their reflection in a mirror as they carefully paint self-portraits on canvas. Staff support children to recognise the difference in the colour of their eyes and the texture of their hair. Children begin to understand what makes them unique.

Staff have a good understanding of the children and serve as extremely positive role models. Staff and children dress up and engage in fun and meaningful role play. Children bring food menus to the kitchen area and ask staff what they want to eat. Staff point out which parts of a watermelon can be eaten. Older children laugh and are highly engaged as they play imaginary aeroplanes with staff. They learn lots of new vocabulary such as 'turbulence' and 'departure' as staff mimic the voice of the pilot. Babies are encouraged to splash as they sing 'Tiny Tim' and play with sea creatures and water. They demonstrate that they have high levels of attachment as they snuggle into adults and listen to stories. Staff skilfully plan focused small-group sessions to support emotional literacy. They encourage toddlers to sing, dance and stomp their feet as they begin to learn the vocabulary of emotions.

Communication and language development are actively supported throughout the nursery. Children of all ages listen attentively as staff share stories with them. They join in with the words and actions as staff use puppet gloves and sing nursery rhymes. Children begin to build a rich vocabulary.

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

• Leaders and staff monitor children's progress effectively and swiftly identify gaps in children's learning. They plan a curriculum that provides a diverse range of experiences that help children build on what they already know and can do. However, at times, some of these experiences are too challenging for children to precisely focus on what they need to learn. This means that, sometimes, children become distracted.
• The nursery has a proactive approach to children's development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress and are well supported. The nursery works closely with external professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Enrichment opportunities, such as sign language lessons and outdoor excursions, enhance the children's knowledge and understanding of the world.
• Physical activity is highly valued and well planned. Children build their core strength through indoor and outdoor play and small-group coaching sessions. Older children participate in team games and learn the rules of the game alongside the benefits of physical activity. They stretch and climb over and under apparatus in the sensory yoga studio. Children develop their small muscles as they hold pencils, squeeze and roll play dough and use various-sized brushes to paint on foil.
• Leaders and staff have created a calm and nurturing environment. Staff use consistent strategies to manage behaviour and weave golden rules and boundaries into everyday conversations. Children are given opportunities to consider their own behaviour, such as why they do not run inside. Children listen and respond positively. Children learn behaviour expectations, ready for the next stage in their learning.
• Parents describe the staff of the nursery as vibrant and personable. Staff are consistently praised for their communication through daily dialogue and an online portal. Parents feel informed and involved in their child's development. They appreciate the 'thoughtful touches', such as accessible duck food in the reception area so that parents and children can feed the ducks at the nearby pond. Children's overall development is supported in this well-run nursery.
• The management team fosters an environment that values well-being, inclusion and respect, ensuring everyone feels welcome. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported with visual aids to develop their understanding. Staff say that they are encouraged to bring their unique qualities to the workplace, promoting a positive culture where individual needs are acknowledged and supported. The management team identifies areas for staff development and invests in targeted training to improve outcomes for children.
• Meals are thoughtfully managed, with attention to dietary needs and the promotion of table manners. The use of appropriate cutlery and utensils is well sequenced to meet the age and stage of children's development. Children independently pour their own water from jugs and collect cups from the table to assist staff with tidying up after lunch. Children demonstrate pride as they positively contribute to the jobs of the setting.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to focus on creating activities that are not over complicated and are consistently appropriate for children's age and stage of development.