Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup Newton Close, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8TR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 May 2018 23 April 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 two managers are enthusiastic and ambitious. They effectively lead and support a strong staff team. The managers have clear expectations which they share with staff. They work well as a team to maintain the good quality of care and help children to develop good skills to support their future learning.  Children establish secure attachments with staff. They settle quickly and are comfortable in the playgroup. Children happily seek the staff's company in their play or if they need a reassuring cuddle. Parents comment that the 'fantastic' staff create a 'home-from-home' environment.  Staff monitor and track children's development effectively. They work closely with the managers to recognise any gaps in children's learning and identify areas where individual children may need extra support. They use this information to provide meaningful learning experiences. This helps children to progress and reach

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, some staff are too quick to do things for children and do not recognise opportunities when children could be learning to do things for themselves and increasing their independence skills further.  At times, staff do not organise group times to ensure all children taking part are fully and consistently engaged in their learning.

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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

 enhance daily opportunities that encourage children to develop their independence skills further  improve the organisation of larger group activities to ensure that all children can join in and their learning is effectively supported.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed interactions between the staff and children in the inside space and the outside environment.  The inspector spoke to children's key persons and viewed developmental information regarding children's progress.  The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including the setting's policies and staff records.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with one of the managers.  The inspector gathered the views of parents and children and considered these.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The qualified managers work well together to supervise and monitor staff practice. They offer regular support and coaching. They work with staff to source relevant training opportunities. This helps staff to reflect on and consider ways they can further improve their skills. For example, staff used knowledge gained from training to implement simple activities, such as mouth exercises to further help children develop their early speaking skills. Safeguarding is effective. The managers and staff are confident with their responsibilities to protect children from harm. They know the children and their families well. They follow relevant procedures effectively to report any concerns and work closely with other professionals to help keep children safe and protected. The managers evaluate the staff practice on a daily basis. They consider the views and suggestions of parents, staff and children to help them further develop the provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff regularly share information with parents about children's care needs and achievements. They work together to identify targets to support children's learning. Overall, staff are strong teachers. They know how children learn and have a good understanding of their individual abilities. They are skilled at recognising children's interests and consider when to offer tailored support to help them develop their imaginations and ideas. For example, staff use simple questions to encourage children to think and talk about how they can get toys out of ice blocks. Children discuss this and show good physical skills as they try different methods, such as using tools and warm water to get to the toys inside the ice. Staff encourage children to use their well- developed language skills and they explain that 'warmer' weather would help to melt the ice.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The staff maintain a welcoming and safe environment. They carry out thorough daily checks of the premises, which helps to promote children's safety. Children benefit from accessing a range of challenging activities in the well-considered and stimulating environment. For example, staff ensure children have lots of time to enjoy being able to develop their own ideas in their play, inside and outdoors. Staff are skilled at helping children to develop their social skills and learn about the wider world. For example, staff arrange regular trips into the local community. Children are involved in simple tasks, such as buying healthy snacks from the local shop and visiting the library.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning from their starting points. They are keen, enthusiastic learners who enjoy challenge and persevere with simple tasks. For example, as they help to tidy up, children take time to use trial and error to match puzzle pieces to a board. They twist pieces around and turn them over until they fit in the relevant holes. Children smile at staff when they receive praise for completing the puzzle. These skills help children to confidently move to their next stage of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103816 Local authority Medway Towns Inspection number 1088939 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 40 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 April 2015 Telephone number 01634 666716

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reference number

Kestrel Under Fives Playgroup opened in 1976. The playgroup is open from 9am to 3pm from Monday to Thursday, term time only. The playgroup receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 15 staff. Of these, 12 staff, including the playgroup managers, hold recognised childcare qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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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