Kids’ Zone

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

The ambitious staff make a positive difference to children's lives. They create an environment where all children feel safe and secure, have fun and make special memories. Children enjoy the short periods of time they spend at this unique setting during their stay at the on-site hotel.

They demonstrate a sheer love for learning and become deeply engrossed in their play. For example, children develop a natural curiosity about the world around them during fascinating star-gazing experiences. They acquire a good knowledge of scientific concepts when creating boats to set sail on the lake.

However, staff training is not ye...t targeted accurately enough to raise teaching and learning opportunities to an outstanding level. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and settled in the care of staff. Settling-in arrangements are extremely supportive.

For example, staff host the 'early supper' within the hotel in the evenings which provides opportunities for them to form positive relationships with children and their families from the outset. However, at times, staff do not grasp opportunities to share more in-depth information about children's progress with parents and other professionals as these arise. Children's behaviour is good.

Staff consistently model the expectations for behaviour and this is demonstrated through children's actions during play. For example, during role play, children use their good manners to remind their friends to sit nicely on their chair so that they stay safe.

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

Staff continually monitor the usage of the appealing play environments and use the information they gain to enhance the provision.

For example, in response to children showing less interest in mark making, staff have introduced additional resources, such as treasure maps, shopping lists, menus and writing materials, into all play areas. This is helping to inspire children's early writing.Staff act quickly to establish children's current interests and skills, and plan activities in support of these.

For instance, in response to children's desire to play with cars on arrival, staff invite children to create a bridge with the available resources. Staff encourage children to wheel cars over various surfaces and introduce new language, such as that associated with position. This helps to build on children's skills and contributes towards the good progress they make.

Leaders and managers value all staff. They give careful consideration to the well-being of staff during regular supervisions and daily discussions. This contributes towards the positive and upbeat morale that staff display within the setting.

The current systems for professional development help to build on the good knowledge and skills of staff. However, training is not focused sharply enough to raise the quality of teaching and learning to the very highest levels.Staff place a sharp emphasis on supporting the prime areas of learning, to help to secure the foundations for future learning.

They create inviting communication spaces, such as an outdoor tepee, to inspire children to talk to others more freely and engage in songs and rhymes. All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, speak confidently and fluently.Staff actively encourage parents to contribute towards children's starting points.

They make time to speak with parents at the end of the session to share some information about the achievements that children make. However, where opportunities present, staff do not identify ways to share more in-depth information about children's progress with parents and, subsequently, other professionals, to further support children's learning and development elsewhere.Staff gently persuade children to assist with tasks, such as tidying up, to help them to adopt kind and considerate attitudes.

They issue children with a rewarding certificate to celebrate their positive participation in activities, such as a treasure hunt. This helps all children to adopt a high sense of self-worth.Staff form a secure bond with each child.

They welcome children into the setting with a friendly smile and gently reassure them in times of need. Effective methods, such as encouraging children to bring in special toys from home, help them to feel assured on entry to the setting.Children tackle new challenges, such as unfastening their coat, with sheer determination.

Children show remarkable resilience and pride in their achievements in their comments, such as 'I did it'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.All staff have a secure knowledge of their role in keeping children safe.

They are able to recognise any potential safeguarding concerns and are familiar with the reporting procedures. Leaders and managers implement safer recruitment procedures to help ensure that all staff are skilled and suitable for their roles. Children's safety is considered all the time.

For example, staff ensure that children remain under stringent supervision when using the internet to research information, such as how high the nearby fell is. They welcome children to take calculated risks, for example when climbing small trees, to help them gain an awareness of how to keep themselves safe.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: target a wider range of professional development opportunities for staff that aim to enhance the quality of teaching and learning to an outstanding level strengthen ways to share more in-depth information about children's progress with parents and other professionals where these opportunities arise, to further promote continuity in children's learning and development.