Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup Newton Close, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8TR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 April 2015 7 December 2010

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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

 Staff effectively support children's social and emotional development. As a result, relationships between children, their key person and other members of the staff team are very good.  Children are confident learners. Staff create an exciting and stimulating environment and children are very keen about joining in with activities led well by staff.  There are highly effective links with other providers and professionals. This enables all agencies to work together and promote children's welfare and learning exceptionally well.  Children benefit from an inviting outdoor area, where they can choose from a wide range of resources and activities. They explore role play and use their imaginations as they play.  Staff implement robust risk assessments, adapted to specific areas and activities. As a result, risks and hazards are identified and effectively minimised

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always extend children's learning effectively, by allowing children sufficient time to respond to questions to further develop their critical thinking skills.  Staff do not maximise children's early reading skills outdoors by providing books for children to access.

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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

 maximise children's critical thinking skills by allowing sufficient time for children to respond to questions  provide more opportunities for children to access books outdoors, to further extend their early reading skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the indoor and outdoor play areas.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and held discussions with the manager and other members of staff.  The inspector sampled the playgroup's documentation including a self-evaluation, policies, children's development records, and records of the suitability and qualifications of staff.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.

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who attend. This is good

Children actively explore within a welcoming and exciting environment with interesting activities both indoors and outdoors. Staff promote children's learning and development very well, so they develop skills in readiness to start school. Children use their good language skills as they communicate together during pretend play in dens created outdoors. Staff effectively develop children's mathematical skills during daily routines and play. Children easily select toys for themselves and resources are clearly labelled with words and pictures to enable children to begin to learn that print conveys meaning. Children develop early writing skills as staff provide many opportunities to practise writing in their play, such as labelling their work and making marks outdoors with water and brushes. Staff gather information from parents, to establish accurate starting points for children's care and learning. Ongoing observations and assessments identify clear next

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who attend. This is good

steps in learning, to enable children to make good progress.

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outstanding

Children are extremely confident and make excellent progress in developing their personal and social skills. They show high levels of independence in making their own choices during play and attending to their own care needs, such as recognising when they need to wear their coat outside. Children develop extremely close bonds with their key person and form very positive relationships with other children and staff. This promotes their strong sense of well-being and belonging. Staff help children to develop an excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children have limitless opportunities to play outdoors and be physically active. For example, in a large area, they eagerly practise their physical skills by rolling tyres up and down a hill. Children also enjoy a variety of healthy snacks and follow very good hygiene routines before eating.

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provision is good

The manager is reflective, evaluating the provision to strive for continuous improvement and valuing the views of staff, children and parents. She ensures all staff access regular training. This means their knowledge is continually increased to support children's good progress. The manager and staff have a good understanding of their role in protecting children from harm and procedures to follow if they have any concerns. Robust recruitment procedures and regular supervisions ensure that suitable and skilled staff care for children. Children's progress is constantly monitored; as a result, any gaps are quickly identified and addressed. Staff effectively work in partnership with parents and external agencies, which promotes continuity in learning between the playgroup and home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103816 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 839254 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 71 Name of provider Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup Committee Date of previous inspection 7 December 2010 Telephone number 01634 666716

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Setting details

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup opened in 1976. It is a community group that is managed by a committee of parents. It operates from a church in Lordswood, Chatham. The playgroup is open from 9.15am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday, term time only. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs 17 members of staff including a book- keeper. Of the staff working directly with the children, 14 hold appropriate early years National Vocation Qualifications. One member of staff has Qualified Teacher Status.

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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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