St Martins Pre school

St Martins Pre school St. Martins Church Hall, Northumberland Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7LP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 May 2016 31 January 2013

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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

 Children enjoy learning in a well-organised learning environment. They have access to a wide range of resources and equipment, and children confidently make their own choices during activities and play.  Staff gather useful information from parents about their children when they start at the pre-school, to enable them to meet children's care and learning needs effectively. They form strong bonds with children, which helps all children to feel secure and supports their emotional well-being.  The manager and staff make good use of observations and assessments to identify children's next steps in learning and plan activities which motivate them to learn. Children make good progress as they enjoy a wide variety of activities that reflect their interests and individual learning needs.  The manager is clear about her role in safeguarding children and is secure in her knowledge of the action to take, and who to contact, should she or her staff have any

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always extend fully all activities children engage with, to broaden their knowledge and understanding of how things work.  Children do not always have sufficient resources and opportunities to practise writing and mark making in their daily routines and play.

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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

 continue to support staff to improve their skills and knowledge, to enable them to extend children's learning further  provide more opportunities for children to practise drawing, writing and painting to prepare them for learning to write.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation including children's records, planning, safeguarding policies and procedures.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector discussed with the manager how she plans to move the pre-school forward to improve outcomes for children further.  The inspector observed staff interactions with children and spoke to staff and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day about the service that they receive from the pre-school.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager has made positive changes since the previous inspection. She has successfully identified and addressed areas for improvement to help continuously raise outcomes for children. Safeguarding is effective. The manager meets with staff regularly to discuss their practice and provides training to support their professional development. For example, staff attend regular child protection training. Staff have a thorough knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements and are clear about their role in keeping children safe and secure. The manager monitors and tracks the progress of all children effectively. Any gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate action is taken. Staff have established good links with the local schools and other professionals, which helps to ensure continuity of learning and care.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

All children make particularly good progress in their speech development because the manager and staff support their communication and language well. For example, they use commentary and repetition to support children with learning new vocabulary and to improve their pronunciation. Children have many opportunities to be creative and to use their imagination. For instance, they enjoy shaping modelling foam to explore textures and stimulate their senses. Children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts, such as 'more' and 'less', as they add water to tubes to make an egg float to the top. Parents are involved in their children's learning, for example, they receive regular feedback about how their children are progressing and meet frequently with staff to share information.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The manager and staff are good role models. They help children to share resources and to take turns during activities, which encourages their self-esteem and confidence. Children behave well. Staff encourage children to learn about risks and how to stay safe. For example, children learn how to go up and down the slope in the garden safely. Children explore their community and experience the world around them. For example, they have daily opportunities to exercise in the fresh air and they benefit from regular outings to parks, shops and local events, such as joining in with story time at the library. Staff teach children about a healthy diet and where food comes from. For example, children plant vegetables in the garden and enjoy picking them, to try at snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who have special educational needs and those for whom the pre-school receives additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children acquire the skills needed for their future and eventual move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127602 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1028188 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person St Martins Pre school Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 31 January 2013 Telephone number 07933 792161

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reference number

St Martins Pre-School registered in 1971 and operates from a church hall in Shepway, Maidstone, Kent. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 2pm and on Wednesday from 9am to midday, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs seven staff, of whom five hold a childcare qualification at level 2 or above. The manager holds a foundation degree in childcare.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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