Shepherdswell Preschool

Shepherdswell Preschool Shepherdswell Village Hall, Coxhill, Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent, CT15 7NN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 June 2017 31 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

 Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff use various ways to engage and involve parents effectively in the nursery and children's learning. Parents value the good- quality, consistent care their children receive.  The manager monitors the progress of individual children and different groups of children effectively, to close any emerging gaps in their learning. For example, an increased focus on supporting children's understanding of the world has been successful. Children enjoy sharing their experiences and considering the similarities and differences between themselves and their friends.  Staff teach mathematics well, for example, they effectively challenge children to recognise numbers, compare sizes and count objects within their play experiences.  All children make good progress in their learning and development from their starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Children are taught to wash their hands at appropriate times as part of the support offered to promote their good health. However, staff do not monitor well enough to make sure that this practice is consistently embedded naturally into routines.  At times, staff do not make the best use of small-group activities, to encourage younger children to remain more engaged and to maximise the learning opportunities for all children.

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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 children's understanding of how to keep themselves healthy during their daily routines  consider the arrangements for focused group activities so that all children can consistently enjoy and benefit fully from the overall learning opportunities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and children's activities, completed a joint observation with the manager and held discussions about children's progress and learning.  The inspector held conversations with the manager, staff and children throughout the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of staff suitability checks and their qualifications, and looked at a sample of relevant policies and procedures.  The inspector took into account the views of the parents during the inspection.  The inspector observed staff planning and the children's assessment records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager accurately evaluates the provision. She includes the views of parents and children to help identify areas for further improvement. For example, focused activities and resources have been enhanced to help extend older children's listening and attention skills. The manager continually improves the quality of staff practice. Staff attend regular training and implement new knowledge and ideas to enhance children's learning and development. For example, improvements have been made to the support for boys to practise early writing. Safeguarding is effective. All staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date and are fully aware of current legislation. They understand their role in child protection and know the reporting process to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff understand what children know and how they can further support their good development. For example, as the children enjoyed a role-play and construction activity, staff challenged them to think and solve problems, including what they could use to strengthen their constructions. Staff gave children clear explanations to enhance their learning. They introduced new tools, such as spirit levels, and children gained a good understanding of how they work. Staff accurately assess children's development and plan effectively for their next steps in learning. They skilfully use a wide range of resources to engage children.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled in the pre-school environment, which is organised well overall to enable them to follow their play choices. Staff build on children's confidence and sense of belonging well. For example, they praise children for their achievements. Relationships between children and their key person are strong. Staff are sensitive, stimulating and responsive to children's individual needs. Staff help children to develop their growing independence skills. For instance, children are actively involved in the preparation and clearing away of their snack and learn to use appropriate cutlery safely to enhance their physical skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children play cooperatively together and confidently communicate their needs, ideas and views. For example, they use their imaginations well and negotiate their roles within their play. Children carefully consider the tools and resources they need for each role and make good connections to real-life experiences. Children develop the skills needed for their future learning and move to school. For example, they are encouraged to give meanings to the marks they make as well as identifying and writing their own names.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127535 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1089359 Type of provision Full-time 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 28 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Shepherdswell Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 31 March 2015 Telephone number 01304 830045

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reference number

Shepherdswell Preschool opened in 1972. It is located in Shepherdswell, near Dover. The pre-school operates from 8.30am to 3pm term time only. There are 10 members of staff, eight of whom hold early years qualifications from level 2 to level 6 and one holds early years teacher status. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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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