Toy Box Preschool

Toy Box Preschool Wentworth Primary School, Wentworth Drive, Dartford, Kent, DA1 3NG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 May 2017 10 March 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 develop their independence well. For example, they pour drinks, peel fruit and clear their plates after mealtimes.  Staff successfully use the information from their observations and assessments to plan for children's next stage in learning. Children make good progress and any gaps in development are consistently closing.  Staff support children's mathematical development well. For example, they count, recognise shapes and use positional language with an electronical game.  Leaders oversee their staff well. For instance, they provide regular meetings, observe their practice and identify relevant training. This helps improve staff's knowledge and skills further.  Staff provide regular opportunities to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they have daily discussions, share children's unique stories and provide newsletters. This helps parents to continue their children's learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The provider's monitoring processes are not highly successful in identifying gaps in specific groups of children to help encourage their rapid progress.  Staff do not consistently give children time to think through and provide their own ideas in 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

 build further on the monitoring processes to swiftly identify any emerging gaps in development between different groups of children and encourage their rapid progress  increase opportunities for children to think about their ideas and provide their own responses.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning and development.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation including suitability checks and children's records.  The inspector spoke to parents and children.  The inspector held discussions with leaders and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a secure understanding of the signs that would cause them concern about a child's welfare and the processes to follow. They know what to do if there are any changes in their suitability to care for children. Leaders have secure recruitment and vetting processes in place. For instance, they conduct interviews, seek references and complete the relevant checks. This helps keep children safe from harm. Leaders evaluate the pre-school well. They identify areas of weakness and set targets for improvement. This helps develop the quality of the provision and provide better outcomes for children. Staff work well with other professionals to assist children's individual needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children's development well, such as providing small group sessions to progress their learning further. Staff adapt activities to meet children's emerging interests. For instance, they set up the pretend hairdresser's that children have requested. Staff successfully build children's physical development. For example, they cut with scissors and complete puzzles. Staff encourage children to explore and investigate natural materials and textures, such as sand and water. They develop their literacy development well. For instance, children paint pictures and listen to stories. Staff help children have a positive sense of themselves and their place in the world. For example, they encourage children to bring items and photos in from home to show their friends and talk about.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff effectively support children's emotional well-being. For example, they provide them with extra care and attention when needed, such as during the change of routines. Staff help children learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they provide healthy snacks and daily opportunities to be physically active outdoors. Staff help children learn about appropriate behaviour. For instance, they encourage sharing and taking turns. Staff help children learn about each other's backgrounds and diversity. For example, they find out key words from parents, provide dual language books and role play opportunities. This helps children learn to respect and value each other's differences.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make progress that is relevant for their age and gain the skills they need to be ready for their move to school. They successfully develop their understanding of the world around them. For example, children put shells to their ears and listen to the noise of the ocean. They are confident to talk to adults and share their wider experiences, which helps develop their communication and language skills. Children build their imaginary ideas well, such as when they pretend sand is a strawberry chocolate cake.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY298298 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1092175 Type of provision Full-time 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 65 Name of registered person Carol Sutherland & Alison Pitkin Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 March 2015 Telephone number 01322 292923

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reference number

Toy Box Preschool opened in 2005. It operates from a portable classroom in the grounds of Wentworth Primary School, Dartford, Kent. The pre-school is open from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs 12 members of staff, of whom 10 hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or level 4.

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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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