Hopscotch Pre-school

Hopscotch Pre-school Hempstead Village Hall, Hempstead Road, Gillingham, ME7 3QG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 March 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff provide a good range of activities to stimulate and challenge children's play. Children are actively engaged and motivated, and make good progress.  Staff assess and monitor children's development effectively and plan further next steps to move them forward in their learning. Staff share children's progress with their parents so that they can continue to support their children's learning at home.  Children learn how to manage their own safety. For example, staff teach them to cross the roads safely, and give gentle reminders about the rules of the setting. Staff carry out regular risk assessments and record all accidental injuries.  Staff promote healthy lifestyles well. For example, children have regular access to fresh air, including exciting trips to the woods. Furthermore, staff teach children about healthy foods and involve parents in healthy eating initiatives.  The manager is committed to providing a quality service for children and families. For

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This provision is good

example, she reflects well on her strengths and weaknesses and has robust recruitment and induction processes to help ensure the suitability of all staff.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The performance management of staff does not yet support them fully to identify further training needs, to help them strive to provide very high-quality teaching.  Staff do not always provide opportunities for children to learn more about the world, for example, with regard to diversity and technology.

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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

 provide further opportunities for children to explore a range of resources to extend their understanding of the world  strengthen further the performance management of staff to help them achieve high levels of teaching.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to most parents to gain their feedback.  The inspector observed children and staff interacting together and accompanied a small group on a visit to the woods.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and they completed a joint observation.  The inspector spoke to children and staff during the activities.  The inspector looked at a sample of paperwork, including policies, evidence of suitability and qualification certificates.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The organised manager has robust policies, procedures and documentation in place. She knows the importance of building a strong team to help children reach their full potential. For example, new staff receive mentoring during induction and ongoing support to develop their practice. The manager works with the local authority to identify strengths and weaknesses and to develop plans for improvement. For example, tracking of children's progress highlighted a need to promote speech and language, which staff now enhance with more music and singing activities. Safeguarding is effective. The designated person updates staff on their responsibility to protect children. They know the process to follow should they have concerns about children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified staff team has a good understanding of how children learn and is skilful at joining in with play to extend children's learning. For example, they encourage children to act out the story of 'the Seven Dwarves' and join in with a bus journey on the small chairs. Staff give a high priority to outdoor learning and allow children to follow their own interests. For example, children enjoy exploring the natural environment where they use mud to make marks and explore the feel of the tree bark. Staff extend this well using words, such as 'crunchy', and encourage children to count the woodland steps. Children learn to think ideas through, such as counting the legs of insects to identify them. Staff encourage them to understand the consequences of their actions, such as holding sticks safely and dragging them behind them to avoid accidents.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Partnerships with parents are good. For example, parents are well informed about the daily activities within the pre-school. Parents report that their children are very happy and that staff are friendly and approachable. Staff teach children to manage their own hygiene. For example, children wash their hands after the toilet and before snacks. Staff build effective partnerships with other agencies to support children. For example, they make good links with local schools and work closely with other professionals to support children with special educational needs. Staff meet the individual needs of children effectively. For example, an effective key-person approach and high staff ratios help children to settle and build relationships with each other.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning and show keys skills, such as confidence and independence. For example, they competently carry out instructions, showing good listening skills. They communicate well and learn the basics of literacy, such as identifying and writing the letters of their names.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474340 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1042473 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 48 Name of provider Carolyn Bassindale Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07557 330353

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Setting details

Hopscotch Pre-school registered in 2014 and is in Hempstead, in Gillingham, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday during term time only. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the pre-school opens from 9am to 3.15pm and on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 12pm. The pre-school receives funding for children aged three and four years. There are 10 members of staff, seven of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The provider holds a BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Studies and Early Years Professional Status. The Forest School Leader holds a level 3 qualification in Forest School Leadership

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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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