Great Chart and Singleton Pre-School

Great Chart & Singleton Pre-School Hoxton Close, Ashford, Kent, TN23 5LB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 March 2015 16 December 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Children are independent and confident learners because they form strong bonds with staff.  The management and staff team are committed to continually developing and improving the provision, and take effective steps to ensure positive outcomes for children.  Staff communicate with parents effectively and, as a result, parents are aware of their children's progress and have ideas for learning at home.  Staff encourage children to develop skills they will need for their future learning, such as independence skills and confidence. As a result, children are well prepared for school.  Staff have good knowledge and understanding about their responsibility and role with regard to protecting children in their care. This ensures safeguarding requirements are met.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always provide sufficiently challenging activities for all children.  Staff do not consistently give children guidance about expectations of behaviour.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure all staff give consistent messages to children about expectations of behaviour  refine the planning system so it provides sufficient detail, and ensure activities are appropriately challenging for all children taking part.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children engaged in activities, indoors and outdoors.  The inspector sought the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including policies, self-evaluation and children's individual files.  The inspector carried out observations of staff, alongside the manager.  The inspector had discussions with the manager and staff team.

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who attend. This is good

Staff provide a wide range of activities to promote children's learning, indoors and outside. Staff support children to develop independence skills and, as a result, children are well prepared for school. For example, children are encouraged to prepare their own snacks, pour their drinks, and wash their plates and cups. Snack times are a strength of the setting, providing rich learning opportunities for all children. Children use real tools outside, painting the shed and outdoor equipment with water and rollers and paint brushes. Staff support children's communication and language development effectively; consequently, children learn well in this area. Staff regularly observe and assess children's development and children make good progress from their starting points. Children have lots of opportunities to make choices about taking part in the activities provided. However, adult-led activities are not always sufficiently challenging for all children which lessens the

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outstanding

Staff are caring and affectionate, and children have good attachments with staff. The supportive and caring environment helps children to feel safe and secure. Children settle quickly and are confident in their surroundings. Staff communicate effectively with parents, ensuring they have a good understanding of children's starting points and liaising with parents about any concerns arising. Staff work well with outside agencies and professionals, enabling them to provide effective support for all children. Staff encourage children's efforts and achievements, and share this information effectively with parents. Excellent opportunities are provided for children to develop risk-taking skills, independence and ability to make choices. Children are engrossed in their play outdoors and learn to play cooperatively as they take turn climbing and accessing equipment.

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provision is good

The manager and staff have a good understanding of their role and responsibilities to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. New staff are employed through a robust recruitment process and the manager conducts regular observations, appraisals and staff meetings. Staff have effective links with local schools which helps them to support children's transition to primary school. Staff seek the views of parents regularly and work hard to communicate effectively with them. Parents comment that they are, 'really pleased with the pre-school' and that, 'staff are friendly and approachable'.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127208 Local authority Kent Inspection number 840629 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 63 Name of provider Great Chart Singleton Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 16 December 2009 Telephone number 01233 640551

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Setting details

Great Chart and Singleton Pre-School opened at the current premises in 1995. It operates from the community village hall located in Singleton, Ashford, Kent. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school is open for five days a week during school term times and sessions run from 8.55am to 2.55pm Monday to Thursday, and on Fridays it is only open in the morning. The setting welcomes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. There are twelve staff who work with the children. Of these, ten hold appropriate early years qualifications and two are working towards a recognised childcare qualification.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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