Singlewell Kindergarten

Singlewell Kindergarten Gerald Miskin Memorial Hall, Hever Court Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 5EG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 April 2016 15 May 2015

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Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The quality of teaching is variable. Some staff do not extend children's learning well enough. They do not always use their understanding of children's development to plan activities that engage children's interest and consistently extend their learning.  Staff do not fully encourage children or provide them with consistent opportunities to develop their independence.  The owner, who is also the manager, has not built on systems to monitor the quality of teaching effectively or to check groups of children's learning to ensure they make equal progress.

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It has the following strengths

 Children play in a welcoming and clean environment where the resources are easily available. They enjoy developing their physical and social skills in the well-resourced outdoor area.  The manager and staff have a comprehensive understanding of child protection issues. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child's welfare or an allegation against a member of staff.  Staff work well with parents to meet children's individual care needs.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 develop the knowledge and skills of less experienced staff to help them plan activities which consistently motivate children to learn. 01/07/2016

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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

 build on the existing systems for monitoring the quality of teaching and evaluate its impact on children's progress both individually and in groups  extend opportunities for children to use their independence skills during daily routines.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and the quality of teaching.  The inspector held a meeting and completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's development records, the kindergarten's improvement plans and key policies and procedures.  The inspector listened to the views of parents.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. Daily risk assessments are completed and staff raise children's awareness of playing safely, such as when they ride bikes. Staff have made some improvements to the range of activities provided. However, they do not always use their knowledge of children's development to plan activities that consistently provide challenge and motivate children to learn and to make the best possible progress. The manager, with the supervisor, now monitors children's learning. However, they do not precisely review the quality of teaching, or check the progress of different groups of children to evaluate their achievements and ensure that they all do equally well. Partnerships with parents are strong and they speak positively about the provision. Staff exchange information with them regularly about their children's learning and care needs. The manager provides meetings to support the staff; however, there is no clear professional development

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

programme to develop the staff's individual knowledge and skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff undertake observations and assessments of children's achievements and identify their next steps in learning. However, they do not always make good use of this information to extend children's learning. Staff do not always plan challenging activities which motivate children to learn. Some staff lack the skills to interact and encourage children to play purposefully. Staff generally support children's development of language and communication skills. They talk with children about their activities and encourage them to recall past events. For example, they used the dough cutter shapes to remind children of stories they had read. Staff develop children's early literacy skills, for example, they encourage their interest in books and talk about the pictures.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff are considerate and form good relationships with children. They develop children's confidence and self-esteem well. Children feel safe and secure enough to ask for help from staff. However, staff do not consistently encourage children to develop their independence, for example, through routine activities.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children make progress from their starting points, and older children gain basic skills in readiness for school. However, not all children make the best possible progress. For example, boys sometimes become bored with the selection of toys and resources set out by staff and do not always engage well in their play. Children play 'schools' in the role play area and develop their knowledge of school routines. They develop their literacy skills, for example, as they practise writing numbers, letters and their name.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY341738 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1015639 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 - 5 Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 40 Name of provider Ann Hicks Date of previous inspection 15 May 2015 Telephone number 07983 514454

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Setting details

Singlewell Kindergarten registered in 2006. It is located in Gravesend, Kent. The kindergarten opens five days a week, during term time, from 9am until 11.45am on Thursday and Friday, with an extended day until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The provider employs 10 members of staff, six of whom hold an early years qualification at level 3. The kindergarten receives funding for free early years education for 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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