Cherubs Pre School

Cherubs Pre School Linton Village Hall, Linton Hill, Linton, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 4AP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 October 2015 1 October 2009

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Children are not safeguarded effectively. Staff use personal mobile phones to photograph children at the setting, such as for observations and sending messages to parents. The provider/manager lacks understanding of the risks this presents to children and does not monitor the use of mobile phones effectively to ensure children's safety.  At times, staff do not give children enough time to reflect and respond to questions they have asked.  The organisation of outdoor playtimes sometimes leaves children waiting before they can begin to play and learn.  Staff do not consistently extend children's understanding of good hygiene practice to raise their further awareness of staying healthy.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff provide a welcoming, well-resourced and stimulating environment that enables children to enjoy a range of activities and experiences.  Staff work in partnership with parents to recognise children's achievements and ensure they are providing appropriate support where required.  Children develop respectful behaviour, such as saying 'please' and 'thank you' without prompting.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure children are fully safeguarded, with particular regard to procedures relating to the use and monitoring of mobile phones. 16/11/2015

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 give children sufficient time to think and respond to questions  improve the organisation of outdoor playtimes so children do not spend time waiting and are actively involved in their learning  provide more opportunities for children to learn about good hygiene practices to further support their good health.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed documentation, including policies and children's development records.  The inspector observed children's activities inside and outside.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector spoke to the pre-school's special educational needs coordinator about individual children's development and needs.  The inspector spoke to parents, children and staff about the pre-school practices.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. The provider allows staff to use personal mobile phones to take and send photographs of children to parents and other staff. She does not monitor this practice effectively and this puts children's welfare at risk. The provider has not identified the use of mobile phones as a safeguarding issue and does not show a secure understanding of how to safeguard children. The provider uses her knowledge of how children learn to ensure that the setting provides positive learning opportunities. She has an appropriate system for monitoring children's progress and evaluating practice. She involves other professionals and parents in self-evaluation and implements improvements to develop practice. For example, staff are trialling a new snack time, to enable children to eat when they are ready to do so. Staff have supervision meetings with the provider and together they identify training to improve children's learning experiences.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified staff promote children's learning well. They organise resources well so that children explore their own ideas. For example, in the garden, children use drainpipes and water and learn to experiment and solve problems independently with the equipment. Staff are enthusiastic and participate in children's play effectively to extend their learning. They encourage children's interest in mathematics through a range of activities and resources. Children count confidently; for example, they count heads and enthusiastically inform staff how many children are present. Staff observe children's learning and recognise their achievements. This helps them to plan challenging activities to help each child make good progress. Staff prepare children well for their future learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The provider and staff do not promote children's safety due to the inappropriate use of personal mobile phones to take photographs of the children. The effective key-person system helps to ensure that children's individual needs and those of their families are recognised and considered. Staff act as good role models so children know what is expected of them and learn to manage their own behaviour. Staff use positive methods when dealing with the children. For example, they come down to the children's level, maintain eye contact and talk calmly about any unwanted behaviour. Children are settled and learn to cooperate and understand the needs of others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make consistent progress in their learning. They are enthusiastic learners who develop the skills they need for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY246080 Local authority Kent Inspection number 826496 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 47 Name of provider Cindy Jo Fox Date of previous inspection 1 October 2009 Telephone number 07947776140

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Setting details

Cherubs Pre School registered in 2003. It is located in Linton, Kent. It is open during term time only from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and offers morning, afternoon and all-day sessions. The pre-school employs seven members of staff, all of whom have relevant early years qualifications. The provider is qualified to level 3 and the supervisor holds Early Years Professional Status. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four 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

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Setting details

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