Cliffe Pre-School

Cliffe Pre-School Small Memorial Hall, Church Street, Cliffe, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7PU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 May 2017 11 May 2015

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider does not ensure that all policies are implemented effectively and are clear to staff. For example, the provider does not make sure that staff understand the procedures to follow for the use of mobile phones and cameras at the setting and on outings. This is also a breach of the Childcare Register and places children at significant risk of harm.  The provider does not self-evaluate the pre-school effectively. She does not accurately identify areas of weakness and set targets for improvement.  Staff do not consistently help children learn about the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet.  Staff do not make the most opportunities to help children learn about each other's backgrounds, differences and similarities.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff use the information from their observations and assessments well to plan for children's next stage in learning. Children make good progress and gain the skills they need to be ready for their move to school.  Staff ask questions to help children think for themselves and keep their attention, such as during small-group and large-group activities.  Leaders have secure processes in place to ensure that staff and children are aware of the pre-school's routines, such as any changes during lunchtime club.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure that policies are consistent and implemented effectively by staff to help minimise any risks to children's safety and welfare, such as the use of mobile phones and cameras at the setting. 07/06/2017

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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

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify areas of weakness and set targets for improvement  increase opportunities for children to learn about the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet  build further opportunities for children to learn about the diversity of their different backgrounds.

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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 completed a joint observation with the supervisor.  The inspector viewed a range of documentation, including policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector spoke to children and parents.  The inspector viewed all the areas used for the pre-school.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. The provider does not make sure that all of the pre-school's policies and procedures are implemented effectively. For example, she does not ensure that staff do not use their personal mobile phones and cameras on outings. The provider does not ensure that staff safely store their mobile phones away during their working hours. There is information available about the use of mobile phones but this does not always match. This does not help staff understand the procedures to follow. This places children at significant risk of harm. The provider does not identify areas of weakness and target areas for development. Leaders oversee their staff well. For instance, they observe their practice, provide regular meetings and training. This helps to develop staff's knowledge and skills. Leaders monitor children's progress successfully, including specific groups, to help identify any gaps in development and provide the appropriate support.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children's learning and development successfully. They build children's communication and language skills well. For example, staff engage children in conversations about their wider experiences and books they have read at home. Staff help children learn about the world around them. For example, they visit the local allotment to look at the plants they have grown and explore how much water has fallen in containers overnight. Staff give children choices and follow their lead in play. This helps to keep their motivation and interest in their learning. Staff provide regular opportunities to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they have daily discussions and share children's records. This helps parents to continue their children's learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in leadership and management have a significant impact on children's safety and well-being. Staff do not consistently support children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, such as the importance of eating nutritious foods. They do not make the most of opportunities to help children learn about each other's similarities and differences. Children behave well. Staff provide clear guidance and explanations to help them manage their behaviour, such as encouraging sharing and taking turns. Children build their independence. For example, they prepare snacks and wash up afterwards.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and any gaps in development are steadily closing. They are happy and enjoy themselves. Children form good relationships with their friends and play cooperatively together, such as during imaginary play. They successfully build on their mathematical development, such as with counting and measuring bricks. Children transport gravel and water with spades, which helps support their physical development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103796 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1088937 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 29 Number of children on roll 62 Name of registered person Dawn Elaine Harrison

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 May 2015 Telephone number 07814 107084

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reference number

Cliffe Pre-School opened in 1988 and is in Rochester, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday, from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time. There is also a lunch club each day. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 11 staff, all of whom hold relevant level 3 childcare qualifications.

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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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