John Shelton Infant School

Cobtree Playschool For Special Children Cobtree Hall, Mote Park, Willington Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8EB

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Inspection date 15 May 2019 Previous inspection date 7 December 2015

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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 Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision is good

n The manager and staff work closely with parents and other professionals to provide consistency and focus in children's care and development. They work effectively together to observe children's progress, share information and plan their next steps. All children make at least good progress from their individual levels of achievement. n Staff and volunteers are exceptionally caring and build strong relationships with all children. Children are extremely well settled in the warm, comfortable and welcoming environment. They are very happy and thoroughly enjoy their time in the playschool. n Children partake in a wide range of regular physical activities, regardless of their mobility, to keep them active and to provide them with appropriate physical challenges. n The manager accurately evaluates the playschool. For instance, they now include parents in reviewing and contributing ideas to enhance the setting.

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This provision is good

n Although new staff undertake an induction, the programme is not yet of the highest quality to minimise any minor gaps in their understanding of their role and responsibilities. n The monitoring of staff performance is not fully effective to identify clearly how all individual staff members can raise the quality of their teaching to the highest level. n All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress in their learning and development, based on their starting points.

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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 strengthen the already good induction procedures to provide clear and robust support for new staff n strengthen the individual support and coaching for all staff, to improve their skills and the quality of teaching to the highest level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n 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. 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 the parents during the inspection. n The inspector observed staff planning documentation and the children's assessment records.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The manager ensures all staff understand the policies and procedures to help guide their practice, such as dealing with, and reporting, accidents or concerns about children's welfare. Staff use what they learn on training courses to help improve outcomes for children. For example, they have improved on their interactions with the children, ensuring that interventions are timely and support the children effectively in their play and exploration. The manager effectively monitors individual children's progress and that of different groups of children, to close any emerging gaps in their learning and development. Safeguarding is effective. Staff keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date and are fully aware of the procedure to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children's individual learning needs are carefully considered and met effectively. Staff gather information from parents on children's interests, particular needs and achievements. Key persons provide a range of well-planned activities which thoroughly engage all children, and they appropriately promote aspects of learning for each child. For example, children enjoy exploring materials such as sand or foam. These experiences are appropriately set at different levels to challenge and strengthen particular children's core strength. Staff provide support for children to stimulate their verbal communication skills. For instance, they use pictorial methods and encourage children to select the correct picture for their next chosen activity, such as 'hello group' and 'snack', helping to develop children's understanding and vocabulary.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff continually praise and encourage children, so they gain very high levels of confidence and excellent self-esteem. Children are extremely happy and show they are relaxed and comfortable with all the staff and volunteers. Children behave well and are gaining a good understanding of sharing and taking turns. Staff know exactly how each child shows their feelings and are always alert to their varied communication methods. Staff are exceptionally vigilant in protecting children's health and meeting their needs at snack times. For example, they take as long as each child needs to help them to eat, in the very individual ways required for this.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children show enthusiasm in their own ways to explore their surroundings and the stimulating activities available to them. They enjoy many and varied sensory experiences, such as when staff drape different textured fabrics around them and play peek a boo or when children make marks in foam on a mirror. All children are busy and engaged with a wide range of activities throughout the day. Children develop the skills needed for their future learning and move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127120 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10063737 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Maidstone Mencap Charitable Trust Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 December 2015 Telephone number 01622 670464

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reference number

Cobtree Playschool For Special Children registered in 1968. It operates from a hall in Maidstone, Kent. It opens from 10am until 1pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, during term time only. It provides free early education for children age two, three and four years. The playschool employs four members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications from level 2 to level 4.

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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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reference number

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