Kids Planet Knaresborough

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children benefit from an exciting curriculum which helps them to make good progress. Staff confidently talk about the curriculum focus and know what their key children need to learn next. Since the last inspection, the leadership team and staff team have worked extremely hard to improve the quality of education. This has had a positive impact on children's learning, particularly in their personal, social and emotional development. Children develop the skills they need to move on to the next stages in their learning and their behaviour is good. Staff who work in pre-school are extremely proud of children's progress. Children show emerging levels of concentration and begin to take turns and share without support.

Since the pandemic, staff continue to focus on supporting children to extend their vocabulary and improve their communication and language skills. Toddlers show enjoyment as staff read their favourite story in the cosy area. Young children explore dough, listening and repeating as staff model key words and new animal names to them. Children show they feel safe and secure in the nursery. For instance, staff who work with babies know them exceptionally well, including those who have recently started. Staff gently sing to them to soothe them and provide plenty of reassurance to help them feel comfortable.

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

• Staff help children to become keen, enthusiastic learners. They provide exciting activities which are based on children's interests and skilfully extend and enhance their play. Older children begin to develop resilience and persevere to develop new skills with encouragement from staff. Staff who work with young children focus on building secure foundations for learning to ensure children are well prepared as they move through the nursery.
• Children develop good levels of confidence, independence and self-esteem. Staff encourage them to develop self-care skills from an early age. For example, babies crawl over to the table and get their own drink. Children develop their understanding of how to stay safe using the stairs and talk about risks outdoors when the slide becomes too slippery. Staff are good role models for children. They manage behaviour consistently and encourage children to have 'kind hands' and talk about how they feel.
• Children benefit from fresh air outdoors each day. Staff ensure that children are dressed appropriately and support them to develop independence and put on their own coats and hats. Staff encourage older children to explore the snow and develop their imagination as they make antlers from old Christmas tree pieces. However, teaching is less purposeful outdoors for younger children, as staff do not engage them in meaningful activities.
• The leadership team and staff team work together to drive forward continual improvements for children and families. They regularly gather feedback from parents and hold meetings to discuss new ideas. Staff say they are very proud to work in the nursery and for the company. They have access to a package of support for their emotional well-being and benefit from weekly in-house training. Staff show dedication and commitment in their role.
• Children benefit from a range of activities which broaden their experiences. For instance, staff regularly take them into the community to see the world around them. Staff celebrate diversity and teach children about other people, places and spoken languages. The manager has researched the benefits of sensory play and developed a room for children which they thoroughly enjoy using. However, on occasion, the group size is too large, which makes it difficult to play safely.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively in the nursery. Staff work with other professionals and parents to provide tailored targets and learning goals for children. They gather detailed information to ensure children's specific needs are met. The special educational needs coordinator provides support to parents and ensures children have everything they need before they move on to starting school.
• Parents leave positive feedback for the nursery. They are happy with the detailed communication staff provide at the end of their child's day. They say that they feel their children are safe in the nursery and are 'with staff who care about them and are invested in them, working towards the same goals'.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• enhance staff's teaching outdoors to provide a broader curriculum for young children
• consider the size of the group when using the sensory room to maintain safe play and exploration for children.