Tadpoles Pre-School

Tadpoles Pre-School Sports Pavilion, St Mildreds Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 4DE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 May 2017 18 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

 Children are happy and have formed good relationships with staff. Staff praise children constantly for their achievements, which helps to support their emotional well-being and self-esteem.  Partnerships with parents are effective. Staff keep parents fully informed and involved in their children's progress, which helps to support children's learning at home.  Safeguarding is a high priority. The manager and staff team have a secure understanding of how to maintain children's safety and welfare at all times.  Children engage with a variety of interesting resources which is easily accessible to help them make informed choices in their play.  Staff make effective use of observations and assessments to monitor children's learning and development. They plan a range of activities and experiences that focuses on children's needs and interests. Children make good progress in their learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not all consistently take every opportunity to challenge and extend children's learning to the highest levels.  Children do not have sufficient opportunities to explore print when playing in all areas of the pre-school to learn that words carry meaning.

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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 all staff to improve their skills and knowledge, to ensure that teaching is of the highest standard, to extend further children's learning  review and improve the opportunities children have to see and explore the written word, to develop further their interest in literacy.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playroom and the outside environment.  The inspector talked to the manager about the service she provides and discussed her action plan for the future.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records in learning and development, staff qualifications, and safeguarding policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff know how to identify signs that a child may be at risk of harm and how to follow procedures to help protect them. The manager supports staff practice. For instance, she follows thorough induction procedures to help support staff taking on new roles, to ensure they are assisted fully. The manager also provides them with opportunities to increase their knowledge and teaching skills, such as attending safeguarding training and short courses. Self-evaluation is ongoing and takes into account the views of the staff, parents and children to continually develop the service they provide. The manager accurately monitors and tracks the progress of all children. Any gaps in learning are quickly identified and appropriate action taken. The manager has forged links with other early years professionals to provide a continuity of care and learning. For example, children have regular opportunities to visit the local school facilities to become

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

familiar with the environment and meet staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children have plenty of opportunities to be creative, such as making props to extend their interest in superhero play. They effectively engage in role play to further extend their imaginative play. For instance, they use a large box to take them to the moon for a picnic. Children make good progress in their speech development. They hold conversations and give explanations using complex sentences. For instance they explain about their 'superpowers' and how they become 'invisible'. Children benefit from a wide range of experiences to expand their interest in the world around them. For example, they excitedly look at the frogs and tadpoles in the tank, as they learn about life cycles.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children behave well and learn to share and take turns. For example, they make effective use of the large sand timer to know when it is their turn on the bicycles. Children learn about the importance of a healthy diet. For instance, staff provide them with nutritious food at snack times. Children have daily opportunities to exercise, such as playing in the secure outside area or going on walks to explore their local community.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and learn a wide range of skills to support the next stage in their learning and eventual move to school. For example, they listen and join in activities at circle time, such as talking about the items they have brought in from home. Children learn to respect and value their own and other peoples' differences. They are resourceful and inventive in their play. For instance, they wear colanders as safety hats while driving cars. Children are eager to interact with others and do things for themselves, in particular putting on their coats to go outside to play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127671 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089375 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 20 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Ruth Burton

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 June 2015 Telephone number 01843 823756

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reference number

Tadpoles Pre-School registered in 1995. It is privately owned and operates from the sports pavilion in Minster, Kent. The pre-school operates on Monday to Friday from 9am to midday, during term time only. It also offers an afternoon session on Wednesdays from 1pm to 3.30pm. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs seven staff, five of whom hold a relevant early years 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

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

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