Cygnets Pre-School/Nursery

Cygnets Pre School/Nursery Swanscombe Town Council, Council Offices & Community Hall, The Grove, Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0GA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 June 2015 4 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

 Managers effectively promote children's care, welfare and learning. They regularly evaluate the quality of the pre-school provision and continuously implement improvements that benefit the children.  Staff assess children's progress effectively to help to ensure they are fully aware of the developmental stages for each child. They plan efficiently for children's next steps in learning. As a result, children make good progress and are ready for the next stage in their learning.  Children have high levels of confidence and independence. They choose from a good variety of resources to support their play and interests.  Staff provide a friendly and welcoming environment. They have good relationships with children and get to know them well. As a result, children settle well and are happy in their learning.  Managers implement an effective programme of professional development to help staff improve their knowledge and practice. This includes regular training and supervision

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This provision is good

sessions. The staff team has a positive attitude to continual development. They reflect on what they do well and identify key areas for improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always make the most of activities to further develop children's number recognition and counting skills.  Staff do not always use the outdoor area to its full potential to further support children's 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

 strengthen the opportunities for children to develop their understanding of mathematical concepts to extend their number recognition and counting skills  review how the outdoor space is organised to further support children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability and qualifications, and relevant policies and procedures.  The inspector held conversations with the chair of the committee, manager, staff and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector sampled children's observations, planning and assessment records.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and activities, indoors and outdoors.  The inspector took account of the views of parents during the inspection.

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who attend. This is good

Staff teach children a wide range of useful skills that effectively prepare them for school. Children benefit from the small size of the pre-school and receive a good level of staff attention. Staff observe and monitor children's development closely. This helps them to plan activities that motivate and engage children and to identify any areas where they need extra support. Staff talk to children as they play to support their communication and language skills. They encourage conversations and provide opportunities for all children to contribute to discussions. Staff make effective use of resources to develop children's imaginative skills. For example, children pretended to have a picnic and enjoyed laying out the food and talking about the drinks they would like. Children have fun learning outside. Staff build on their interests well, such as helping them search for ants using magnifying glasses.

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good

Staff offer children warm, consistent guidance and support that successfully promotes their emotional and physical well-being. There is a fun, purposeful atmosphere at the pre- school. Children settle well and show confidence in their understanding of behaviour and routines. Staff promote children's independence well during daily routines, such as during snack time when they pour their own drinks. Staff supervise children closely and make daily checks of the environment to ensure it is safe. They implement highly effective arrangements to care for children and promote their well-being successfully. Children enjoy exercise in the garden each day, as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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provision is good

Staff have a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. They have a thorough understanding of how children learn. The manager closely monitors the delivery of the educational programmes to ensure children make good progress. Managers evaluate their practice through regular communication with parents, children and other professionals. They liaise effectively with other early years settings to share information about children's care and learning; this promotes consistency in children's development. The manager has effective procedures for recruitment to ensure all new staff are suitable to work with children. All staff attend child protection training and understand the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. This helps safeguard children. Management and staff have positive relationships with parents. They involve them in all aspects of children's care and learning, which contributes towards children

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY350289 Local authority Kent Inspection number 835284 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 51 Name of provider Cygnets Pre School Committee Date of previous inspection 4 March 2011 Telephone number 077788 66051 or 01322 386111

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Setting details

Cygnets Pre School/Nursery registered in 2007. It is situated in Swanscombe, Kent. The pre-school opens during term times for five days each week from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. There are seven staff who work directly with the children, all of whom have appropriate early years qualifications. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education to children aged three and four years old.

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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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