The Castle Pre-School

The Castle Pre-School Garden Lodge, Whitstable Castle, Whitstable CT5 2BW

p.1

Inspection date 9 January 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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

p.1

This provision is good

n Staff provide children with a stimulating environment which is constantly evolving, to help ensure they have a wide selection of activities to choose from and to extend their learning. For instance, children investigate how water changes as they add different resources, such as teabags, to it. n Children are excited to explore the wide variety of experiences, to play outside and to practise their physical skills. For example, they climb on large play equipment and balance on beams to help develop their coordination and muscle strength. n Partnerships with parents and carers are effective. Parents share information about their children with staff, and staff regularly inform them about their children's daily routines and activities, to help support home learning. n Children are cared for by a well established and dedicated team of staff. The staff follow secure settling-in procedures which help to support children's emotional well-

p.1

This provision is good

being and meet their individual care needs. n Staff do not consistently support younger children's mathematical understanding and language, such as the relationship between numbers and quantity. n At times, staff miss opportunities to challenge and extend children's learning to the highest levels and build on their thinking skills.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

n provide more opportunities for younger children to develop further their interest in mathematical ideas n support all staff to further enhance their skills and knowledge, to raise the quality of teaching to the highest standard.

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including the safeguarding policies and procedures and children's developmental information. n The inspector observed staff interactions with children and spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector discussed with the managers how they evaluate their practice and support staff with their professional development. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with one of the managers. n The inspector read parent's letters and spoke with parents to gain their views on the service they receive.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The managers have a good understanding of how to safeguard children and have secure procedures in place to maintain children's welfare. Staff carry out thorough risk assessments to help keep children safe and secure. They teach children how to identify and manage risks for themselves effectively, such as teaching them how to stay safe when using the large play equipment. The managers monitor staff practice and opportunities for their professional development are good. For instance, staff attend training on how boys learn to help them plan a suitably challenging environment for all. They track children's progress efficiently and take appropriate actions to narrow any gaps identified. Staff make strong links with other early years professionals and external agencies to help meet children's individual needs and share important information to support consistency of care.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make effective use of observations and assessments to plan activities based on children's stages of development and interests. For example, they ensure books and toy cars are easily accessible to help settle and motivate children to learn. Staff use commentary and repeat new words to help extend children's vocabulary. This becomes evident when they describe the texture of the white, foamy paint children are using to make snowman pictures. Children have good opportunities to develop their senses. They enjoy being creative and develop positive social skills. They eagerly engage in role play with their friends, such as dressing up and pretending to make dinner in the home corner.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's behaviour is appropriate to their age. Staff are good role models who set clear rules and boundaries to support them. For instance, children enjoy playing team games with their friends and take turns to be the lead character in the game. Staff help children to gain a sense of achievement and praise them effectively to support their self-esteem. Staff support children's independence, such as when they help them to learn how to lead healthy lifestyles. For example, staff encourage children to serve themselves from the wide range of healthy fruit and vegetables on offer at snack time.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are active learners. They take part in a good range of experiences to develop their interest in the community. For instance, they visit the local castle and beach to learn about the world around them. Children learn to value and respect their own and other people's similarities and differences. They make good progress and gain the skills they need for the next stage in their learning and eventual move on to school. They develop good listening and attention skills. This is evident when they listen to stories and take turns to answer questions and talk about their day.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY535662 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10076887 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person The Castle Pre-School Partnership

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01227 277878

p.4

reference number

The Castle Pre-School registered in 2016 and is situated in the grounds of Whitstable Castle, in Whitstable, Kent. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday from 9am until 3pm, during term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 11 members of staff, of whom 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: www.ofsted.gov.uk/user .

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5