St Hilary's Nursery School

St Hilary's Nursery School Senacre Skills Centre, Titchfield Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 8FX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 April 2017 15 June 2015

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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

 The manager and her staff are motivated, enthusiastic and reflective practitioners. They regularly review their practice and identify areas for improvement. Effective action plans help to ensure continuous improvement and support outcomes for children.  There is a very relaxed, homely and welcoming environment throughout the nursery. Children form very close relationships with staff. This contributes towards children feeling safe and emotionally secure.  Staff provide a broad and interesting range of activities, indoors and outdoors, that supports all areas of learning, overall. Children make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are well established. There are good two-way systems for sharing information about children's individual needs and achievements. Staff keep parents well informed about children's development and encourage home learning.  Staff make regular assessments of individual children and provide them with any

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, staff do not use all resources available to further extend children's interest in technology.  Occasionally, some staff overlook opportunities to build on children's creativity and thinking during interactions.

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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

 extend opportunities for children to investigate and learn more about using technology  make better use of all opportunities to encourage children to express and use their creative thoughts and views even more.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed care routines and teaching and the impact of these on children's safety, welfare and learning.  The inspector sampled records and procedures relating to safeguarding, risk assessment and health and safety, and discussed a range of other procedures relating to children's safety and welfare with the staff.  The inspector looked at children's records, staff planning and evaluation of activities and how staff exchange information with parents.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector spoke with staff about the impact of their training, experience and practice on children's well-being, learning and development.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are aware of potential signs and symptoms of abuse and have a good understanding of their responsibility to protect children from wider safeguarding issues. Children play in a safe and secure environment and are supervised effectively. Clear procedures are in place for the safe arrival and collection of children from their classroom. Records of attendance are accurately maintained and ensure staff are always aware of which children are present. These effective systems help to ensure children's welfare and safety at all times. The manager is committed to developing the pre-school and uses self-evaluation well to identify areas for improvement. She seeks the views of parents, staff and children and implements changes in response to their feedback. Additional funding is used effectively to support individual children's developmental needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children settle quickly when they arrive and demonstrate that they fully understand the daily routine. On arrival, children immediately become engaged and engrossed in their play. They are supported well by staff to be independent and confident learners who enjoy taking part in a varied range of interesting and challenging activities. Staff plan activities which build on children's experiences and help to enhance their skills and knowledge across all areas of learning, overall. For example, children are provided with a variety of craft and modelling materials. Children are eager to share their achievements as they proudly show off their models at home time. Staff consistently help children to acquire the skills needed to be ready for the next stage in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff put children at the centre of everything they do. This strong belief is evident throughout the pre-school. The key-person system is effective. Children are well supported when they first start at the setting. Staff gather information about children and take time to speak to parents to learn about children's likes and dislikes. This helps staff to meet all children's individual needs from the start. Staff promote a positive and supportive environment where all children play well with each other. Children are extremely confident in their surroundings and they build strong friendships with other children from different age groups. Children have a good knowledge of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They follow good hygiene practices and wash their hands before snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are enthusiastic and successful learners who are well prepared for school or the next stage of their learning. For instance, they are keen to practise their early writing skills. Children are confident and independent. For example, they share their ideas and older children manage their personal care needs well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127588 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089364 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 36 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person St Hilary's Nursery School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 June 2015 Telephone number 01622355965 / 07908390242

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reference number

St Hilary's Nursery School registered in 1982. It operates from one large room in a Skills Centre in the Senacre area of Maidstone, Kent. The nursery school is open each weekday from 8.30am to 11.30am and from midday to 3pm for 39 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery school employs eight staff; of these, seven have a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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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

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