Kids Play Childcare Hub

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Staff share a vision for providing children with education that encourages their enjoyment and immersion in the natural environment. Overall, staff support children's learning effectively, they know children well and plan for their next steps in learning. However, there are inconsistencies in staff's understanding of the nursery's curriculum and exactly what they want children to learn, which affects some children's overall progress.

They enjoy the large range of activities on offer and sustain their attention in things that interest them, such as playing in sand and exploring what happens when mixing different liquids and materia...ls together. Older children are confident in using tools and equipment. They expertly draw and cut out their pictures, using scissors with good control and precision.

Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively, adapting their teaching to the age range and needs of each child. For example, they use early sign language to help babies communicate and picture cards to support children who are developing speech. The nursery is generally inviting and orderly and children mostly behave well and make choices in their learning.

Children are confident and settle well. Staff encourage children to learn about their emotions and the feelings of others. This contributes towards them learning about how to get along well with each other.

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

Staff focus the curriculum on supporting children to be curious, confident learners. There have been recent staff absences that have led to there being a disjointed approach to delivering the curriculum. The provider has not ensured that there is a common understanding of the curriculum intent among staff to ensure it is implemented consistently.

However, staff are now united in following a curriculum that encourages children to embrace nature, learn outdoors and be able to take manageable risks.Staff quickly recognise when children need extra support in their learning and identify any gaps in their progress. They develop plans to support them and work quickly to gain intervention and support from other professionals.

Consequently, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress.During some periods of the day such as lunchtime, the quality of care and education is inconsistent for some children. The atmosphere becomes disorganised, and noise levels increase.

Staff raise their voices to be heard and their communication with children is less calm and measured in comparison with the rest of the day. The way staff support and encourage children's behaviour is less effective and children are not engaged in meaningful activities. This was a weakness identified at a previous inspection.

Therefore, the provider has not succeeded in improving this aspect of the provision.Staff are caring and kind. When settling babies to sleep, staff rock and cuddle them in their arms until they drift off to sleep.

Staff follow children's home routines and work closely with parents to provide children with continuity in their care.Staff have a good understanding about the importance of children being cared for by familiar, consistent staff. Particular attention is paid to ensuring that babies have time to build close relationships with their key person, who understands their needs.

This helps children to feel settled and secure.The provider ensures that children have healthy and balanced meals. Staff supervise children closely when they eat.

Older children serve themselves food, giving them choice about how much they eat. Some children are reluctant to want to eat. Staff do not pressure them and work closely with their parents.

However, mealtimes are the only time that young children are offered a drink and staff do not ensure that they are encouraged to keep hydrated by having access to drinking water at other times of the day.All staff are very clear about their responsibilities in relation to keeping children safe. They fully understand their role in identifying and taking action if they have concerns about children's welfare and work with local safeguarding partners.

The provider gives staff freedom to develop their curriculum and supports staff practice. However, there is not consistent oversight to check staff performance and ensure they are confident in understanding the curriculum and know how to implement it effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure that practice is consistent at all times of the day, especially over mealtimes, and that staff support children's behaviour positively at all times 14/03/2025 ensure that young children have regular access to drinking water throughout the day.14/03/2025 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: communicate the intent of the curriculum more effectively to staff so that they know how to implement it consistently across the nursery nincrease oversight of the nursery, so that any staff changes do not affect quality and consistency for staff and children.