Smilers Pre-school

Smilers Pre-school Walderslade Baptist Church, Catkin Close, Walderslade, Kent, ME5 9HP

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 March 2016 26 September 2011

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children thoroughly enjoy their time at pre-school. They have forged secure relationships with the staff, who sensitively support their care and learning needs to ensure that they make good progress in their learning and development.  Management and staff have good knowledge of how to safeguard and protect children. They regularly update and share their policy and procedure with parents to ensure that everyone understands the pre-school's responsibility towards protecting children.  Staff are good role models. They give children clear, positive instructions so that children understand expectations. Children's behaviour is consistently good and appropriate for their age.  Parents are fully involved in their children's learning. Staff share information regarding children's progress and next steps in learning, offering suggestions for parents to support children's learning at home.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not incorporate mathematical language into all activities the children undertake, to support them to learn about shapes and numbers.  Staff do not fully extend younger children's learning. This means that they sometimes miss opportunities to build on children's good knowledge and thinking skills.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve opportunities for children to recognise mathematical concepts in everyday routines and activities  continue to support staff to improve their skills and knowledge, to ensure they fully extend children's learning.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas used by the children and discussed with the manager how staff risk assess the premises.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector talked to the manager and committee about the service that the pre- school provides and how they are driving forward improvement.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation including children's assessment records, safeguarding policies and procedures, and accident and incident books.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager is clear about the action to take and who to contact should they have any concerns regarding children's welfare. The pre-school is led by a dedicated management team. Managers constantly reflect on the services they provide and have a clear programme of continuous development to ensure they provide good quality care for all children. The staff team is stable and consistent and staff benefit from regular supervision sessions. This helps to identify their strengths and plan for any training and professional development opportunities. The manager has accurate monitoring systems to ensure that any gaps in children's development are quickly identified. Staff seek advice from external agencies and work closely with other professionals to support all children to make strong progress in their learning.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make effective use of observations and assessments to plan challenging activities and experiences based on the children's interests and next steps in learning. Staff offer praise and encouragement to build children's self-esteem. Children confidently talk about activities and their time at pre-school, which helps to develop their communication and language skills. Children have many opportunities to develop their early writing skills. For example, they use a variety of resources to experiment and make marks on paper during everyday activities and routines. A wide range of books and signs around the pre-school further extends children's interest in literacy.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff help children to share resources and take turns during activities, which promotes positive social skills. They help children's understanding of the importance of keeping safe. For example, they teach them how to use a knife safely to cut fruit. Staff are aware of how to support any special dietary requirements and teach children about healthy lifestyles. Children thoroughly enjoy daily opportunities to go outside in the fresh air to exercise and learn about the wildlife. They experience trips to local parks and shops to gain a good awareness of their local community and the diverse world in which they live. Staff provide children with activities indoors to practise and extend their physical skills. Children grow in self-reliance as staff help them to develop their self-care skills, for instance, as they change their footwear before they exercise in the hall.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children, including disabled children and those who have special educational needs make good progress from their initial starting point. Children develop strong emotional well-being and are confident and enthusiastic learners. They are well prepared for their future learning and eventual move to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 127555 Local authority Kent Inspection number 825431 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 42 Name of provider Smilers Committee Date of previous inspection 26 September 2011 Telephone number 01634 660148

p.4

Setting details

Smilers Pre-School registered in 1991 and is committee run. The pre-school operates from the first floor of a church hall in Walderslade, Chatham, Kent. The pre-school opens Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3.30pm and Friday from 9am to 12 noon, term time only. The pre-school receives government funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs eight staff, seven of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 2 or above. One member of staff holds a relevant early years degree.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Setting details

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5