Newsham County Infant School

Hunton & Linton Pre- school The Village Hall, West Street, Hunton, Maidstone, Kent ME15 0RS

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Inspection date 15 November 2018 Previous inspection date 24 May 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager effectively monitors individual children's progress and that of different groups of children, to close any emerging gaps in their development successfully. For example, she has effectively implemented strategies, such focused group activities, to help enhance children's communication and language skills. n Staff help children to develop their communication and language skills well. For instance, they clearly emphasise key words throughout their interactions and use clear visual signs to help children's understanding and speaking skills. n Children gain a good understanding of their local community. They enjoy nature walks and visits to the local park, church and nearby school. n Staff build on children's confidence and sense of belonging. They constantly praise children for their achievements. All children make good progress in their learning from their individual starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Sometimes, staff miss opportunities to support children's growing independence and self-help skills, as they undertake tasks that children could do themselves. n The manager's arrangements to engage parents in the evaluation of the pre-school are not fully effective.

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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

n make the most of opportunities to support children's growing independence n strengthen ways to engage parents in evaluating the quality of the provision, in order to make more relevant enhancements and further improve outcomes for children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager and staff make good links with other childcare providers involved in the children's development and care. For instance, they share developmental information, and this helps to provide good continuity of care and education. The manager continually improves the quality of staff practice, for example, by organising relevant training and individual support to raise standards in teaching. For instance, staff have enhanced strategies to effectively support young children with their communication skills. Staff use additional funding effectively to meet the individual needs of the children. For instance, children benefit from equipment to help them explore the natural environment even further and learn more about nature and living things. Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms that might indicate that a child is at risk of harm and the procedures to follow to help protect the children in

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff accurately assess individual children's development and effectively plan for their next steps in learning, in conjunction with parents. They skilfully use a wide range of resources to engage children at all times during the day. For instance, children enjoy exploring dough with a range of different tools. Staff effectively follow the children's lead and challenge them well to enhance their thinking skills. Children are encouraged to consider the different characteristics of a hedgehog as they create with their dough. Staff give clear explanations to extend children's understanding. For instance, they engage the children in conversations about how hedgehogs curl into a ball for protection and effectively enhance children's understanding of the world.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled in the welcoming environment that staff provide. Staff help children to develop their awareness of healthy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy weekly cookery sessions where they are encouraged to engage in conversations about healthy food choices. All children are encouraged to be polite and are gaining a good understanding of sharing and taking turns. Staff effectively support children's physical well-being. For instance, they access the local adventure trail where they are physically challenged and encouraged to enhance their balance and co-ordination skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for the next stages of their learning and their move on to school. For example, they are encouraged to give meanings to the marks they make as well as identifying their own names. Children develop a good understanding of diversity beyond their immediate family. They enjoy exploring the environment, and play and explore cooperatively together. They use their imagination well, confidently share their views and negotiate their play ideas. For instance, children enjoy exploring the 'farm shop' role-play area and pretend to shop. They engage well in discussions with one another and refer to their own shopping experiences from outside of the setting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127270 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10063867 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 26

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Name of registered person

Hunton & Linton Under Fives Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 24 May 2016 Telephone number 01622 820309

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reference number

Hunton and Linton Pre-school registered in 1985. It operates from the village hall in Hunton, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday during term time only. Sessions run from 9.15am to 1.15pm, Monday to Friday, with a lunch club and extended sessions available until 2.45pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs seven members of staff, of whom six work directly with the children. Half of the staff working with the children hold an appropriate 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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