N Family Club Kingston

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Staff create a welcoming and inclusive environment. They use the nursery's mascot, Safi the chameleon, to teach children about the expectations for their behaviour. For instance, staff use Safi to remind children to walk indoors to help ensure their safety. Children are well behaved, happy and feel comfortable with staff. They often seek cuddles to show their strong relationships with staff. Staff motivate children to play. They give children lots of praise and reassurance. Children gain high levels of self-confidence.

Staff follow a curriculum that builds on children's existing knowledge and the skills that they need for their future education. For example, during an activity, staff in the baby room introduce young children to descriptive words, such as soft, squeeze and hard, to extend their vocabulary. They also use sign language to enhance children's understanding. In the toddler room, staff engage children by singing songs and reading books to help develop their language skills. Toddlers particularly enjoy listening to a story about a giraffe and moving their bodies, demonstrating their enthusiasm. In the pre-school room, children develop their early literacy skills. Children have positive attitudes towards their learning. This is because staff support children's learning and development well.

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

• The new management team has created a stable environment at the nursery. Parents appreciate the positive developments, especially the much improved communication. They like the digital newsletter, which helps to inform them about their children's education and care needs.
• Staff maintain high expectations for children's learning and behaviour. They expect children to behave well. Children learn to share and take turns. Additionally, staff teach children to be independent learners. For example, they encourage children to carry out age-appropriate tasks, such as at mealtimes.
• Staff deployment is effective, with the correct staff-to-child ratios maintained. The room managers ensure that staff are positioned effectively to supervise children and protect their welfare.
• Staff have completed paediatric first-aid training to keep their knowledge up to date. They know how to manage and report children's accidents or injuries effectively.
• Staff responsible for preparing and handling food receive training in food hygiene. This promotes children's health and reduces the risk of food poisoning. Staff also follow effective hygiene practices to prevent the spread of germs and infectious illnesses. Children learn to wash their hands before meals and make healthy food choices.
• The management team understands when to notify Ofsted within the required timeframe. Managers follow suitable procedures for handling complaints and allegations, including keeping a written record and their outcomes.
• Staff conduct risk assessments in the nursery to quickly identify and address hazards to children. For instance, after recent incidents, staff reviewed room layouts to prevent a recurrence.
• The management team supports staff effectively. Managers ensure that staff understand the nursery's rules for keeping children safe, including how to give medication. Staff have completed training, which has had positive impact on children's communication and language skills.
• Staff observe and assess children's learning regularly to help them to make good progress. They identify children with gaps in their learning and take prompt actions, including referrals to other professionals. This practice benefits all children.
• Staff implement a balanced and stimulating curriculum. Currently, they are teaching children about sea life. Children use a variety of art and craft materials to create sea animals, demonstrating strong creativity and imagination. However, at times, staff do not consistently organise some group activities effectively. This occasionally results in some children losing focus and engagement in the learning activities.
• Children have access to a diverse array of toys and resources. However, on occasions, staff do not consistently ensure that children put their toys away. This results in cluttered play areas, especially indoors. This affects children's ability to explore activities and resources freely.
• The management team evaluates staff practices rigorously. For instance, after reviewing the mealtime routines, managers have implemented changes that have created a more relaxed environment for children.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to organise group activities to ensure that all children focus and engage in the intended learning
• review the organisation of the indoor floor spaces to allow children to explore activities and resources more freely.