Poppins Pre-School

Poppins Pre-School Lampard Centre, Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5BU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 March 2015 19 May 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement 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 Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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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

 The pre-school is managed by an exceptional team of staff. They have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of practice since the last inspection and made significant improvements in a relatively short space of time. As a result of these changes, the quality of teaching is now good.  Children thoroughly enjoy their time at pre-school as staff make full use of all daily experiences inside to promote children's learning. Because of this, children develop important skills which help them to become ready for starting school.  All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning. Accurate assessment and detailed planning arrangements mean that all children are challenged appropriately.  There is a very busy, purposeful and happy atmosphere within the pre-school. Staff really care about the children and are attentive to their individual needs. As a result,

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This provision is good

children form strong relationships with the staff who look after them.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The outside area is not always used sufficiently well to extend children's play and learning experiences.

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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

 make better use of the outside area to give children more opportunities to play and learn outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the provision for children's learning, both inside and outside.  The inspector talked to staff and confirmed how they plan for and monitor each child's learning needs.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including confirmation of staff suitability checks, first aid certificates, safeguarding records and children's learning journals.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector talked to parents who were present on the day of inspection.

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who attend. This is good

Children make good progress in their learning as staff provide fun, stimulating and exciting activities. Recent training opportunities have significantly improved staff's confidence in supporting children's learning through play. For example, through role play staff skilfully extend children's understanding of mathematical issues, such as number, size and shape. Staff help children to think and to solve problems independently. When children built a den and noticed it was dark inside, staff encouraged children to think what they could do to make it brighter. Children confidently responded by finding torches. The inside environment is extremely well presented with spacious areas for children to play and explore. Staff deployment is very good and this means children receive plenty of support in their learning. The outside area is inviting and provides additional space for children to play and learn. However, staff do not use this as well as they could. This means that

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who attend. This is good

children have less opportunities to be outside and benefit from outdoor learning.

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good

The pre-school provides a very homely and safe environment. Staff are vigilant in ensuring children's well-being at all times and clearly understand their role in keeping children safe. Children develop good levels of independence, self-confidence and a keen interest in learning. They behave very well and are kind and courteous to one another. They listen carefully and confidently work things out for themselves. For example, when children noted the torch was not working, they quickly explained it was because the batteries needed charging. Children take a keen interest in healthy eating and enjoy helping to make the daily snacks. These developing skills and good motivation for learning help children to be ready for starting school.

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provision is outstanding

The leadership team has made significant progress since the last inspection. Comprehensive action plans have successfully targeted the priority areas for improvement. Extensive training, stringent monitoring and ongoing support from the local authority have resulted in rapid progress being made. Senior leaders now rigorously check the quality of teaching. Staff development is a high priority and is discussed in detail through regular supervision meetings. Excellent delegation of responsibilities means that children's learning is now purposeful and teaching is consistently good. The leadership team has an extremely accurate view of the quality of provision and recognises where further improvements are needed in the outside area to extend children's learning. Partnership arrangements with the local children's centre, schools and early years settings are excellent and mean any issues relating to children's development, or welfare, are quickly

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provision is outstanding

addressed. Parents are closely involved in children's learning and contribute fully towards supporting children's development at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103725 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1006056 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 68 Name of provider Poppins Nursery Committee Date of previous inspection 19 May 2014 Telephone number 01634 817852

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Setting details

Poppins Pre-School opened in 1996. It is run by a management committee and occupies its own room in a community centre on a housing estate for army personnel. Children have access to an enclosed outdoor play area. It is open each weekday from 9.00am to 4.00pm during school term time. Children can attend on either a full time or part time basis. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 68 children on roll in the early years age range. The pre-school caters for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children who speak English as an additional language. It receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years. A team of 12 staff work with the children. Of these, 10 hold relevant early years qualifications. The manager holds a degree in early years.

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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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