St Thomas More Pre-School

St Thomas More Pre- School The Priest's House, The Hermitage, More Park, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6HN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 10 March 2011

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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 Good 2

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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 provide a well-resourced, welcoming environment for the children. They have easy access to a wide range of toys inside and outside that support their learning, independence and interest well.  Staff work well together and organise the daily routines well. All staff deploy themselves to effectively supervise and enrich the children's learning both inside and outside.  The manager supports staff practices through supervision meetings, training plans and encourages them to undertake training to improve their qualification level. This helps to ensure that the quality of teaching is good.  Staff ensure that children follow good hygiene procedures. All the children understand they need to wash their hands before eating and do so independently.  The provider implements an extensive range of policies and procedures, which staff share with parents. Therefore, parents are aware of the procedures and practices of the

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always use the same behaviour strategies to develop children's understanding of turn-taking and sharing.  Staff do not consistently exchange information about children's learning with other early years settings they attend. Therefore, staff are not always fully informed about children's progress, to provide continuity in their learning.

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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

 review behaviour strategies to ensure that all practitioners consistently use the same approach to support children's learning further  strengthen the exchange of children's achievements with other early years settings they attend.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interacting with the children.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager of the provision.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's development records, their self-evaluation form, and key policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the parents' views through discussions.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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who attend. This is good

Staff use their good knowledge of the children to provide a wide range of activities to promote their learning and development across all areas of learning. As a result, children make good progress from their starting points. Staff support the children's language and communication well. They use skilful questioning that encourages older children to develop their thinking skills as they relate pictures of feelings to their own experiences. Staff label and extend the younger children's mathematical vocabulary by naming the shapes being made with the playdough. Staff provide children with activities to develop early mark making and reading skills. They enjoy finding bugs, looking at them closely and deciding how many legs they have, using pictures to name them and drawing them. Children remain engaged in their learning for extended periods of time because the staff are aware of their interests. They use these interests to allow the children to make good

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good

Staff have close relationships with their key children and parents. This allows a regular exchange of information about the children's progress and needs, and any concerns about their development can be discussed and quickly addressed. Staff help children to understand how to keep themselves safe. The children enjoy learning about road safety as they play with the bicycles. They stop and go appropriately as the traffic lights change. Staff develop the children's confidence and independence skills encouraging them to choose what they want to play with and put on their own coats. This prepares them for school. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and begin to understand how to manage their own risks as they play in the well-resourced outdoor area.

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provision is good

Staff have a good knowledge of the requirements for safeguarding and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about children's welfare; this means all children are kept safe. The provider has implemented rigorous safety routines including daily safety checks and detailed risk assessment. The manager monitors children's progress across the areas of learning. This allows her to identify children who may need further support to reach expected levels of development. This supports children to make good progress. The staff have good relationships with the parents who comment that the staff are welcoming and know their children well. Self-evaluation takes into account the views of the parents, staff and children. Therefore, improvement plans are effectively implemented to enhance the environment and outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127631 Local authority Kent Inspection number 840685 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 48 Name of provider St. Thomas More Church Committee Date of previous inspection 10 March 2011 Telephone number 01732 874559

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Setting details

St Thomas More Pre-School registered in 1990. It operates from West Malling, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday during term time. Sessions operate from 9am to 12pm and from 12pm to 3pm, except on Tuesday afternoon. The pre-school employs nine staff; of these, seven staff including the manager hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager holds Early Years Professional Status. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early years education for two-, three-, and four-year-old children.

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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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