Barham Pre-School

Inspection of Barham Pre-School Valley Road, Barham CT4 6NX

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is good

All staff are positive role models. Children behave very well. They are polite and have an excellent understanding of turn taking and sharing. Children recall the rules and boundaries daily and know exactly what is expected of them. They thoroughly enjoy participating in daily opportunities to recognise and celebrate the achievement of others in the group. Staff particularly focus on praise and compliment children for their acts of kindness, recorded and posted into the 'kindness catcher'. This gives children an incredibly strong sense of achievement and boost in confidence.

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The provision is good

The manager and staff have high expectations of what children can achieve. They carefully plan and provide an interesting curriculum that helps build on what children know and can do. Children are enthusiastic learners and enjoy exploring the stimulating environment which captures their interest. For example, young children relished the sensory experience of finding treasure in the sand. They scooped and poured it with toy diggers, which helped to develop their coordination. Older children learned about the Diwali celebrations and staff inspired children to make diva lamps. They explored clay and other materials, learning about the characteristics and where clay comes from, which extended their knowledge and vocabulary. Children develop a good understanding of diversity. Children compared the shapes and sizes of their creations, which helped to increase their mathematical skills. Overall, the quality of teaching is good across the setting.

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need to do better?

n Staff get to know children and their individual personalities extremely well. For example, the manager and staff undertake home visits prior to the children starting at the pre-school. Children have a strong sense of belonging, and positive well-being and self-esteem. Overall, staff have a high expectation of children's abilities. However, they do not consistently encourage children to complete their own tasks and be even more independent. n Staff continually evaluate how children use the lovely, exciting and inspiring spaces inside and outdoors to support their ongoing engagement in learning. Children's imaginations are fostered well. They have lots of opportunities to explore their own ideas and initiate their own play. Staff support children effectively to create their own physical challenges. However, on occasions staff do not effectively challenge the children to help them make even greater progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff improve children's mathematical skills effectively throughout their experiences. For instance, they encourage children's counting skills as well as inspiring children to explore and compare sizes, identifying bigger, smaller, shorter and longer. Staff place a strong focus on developing children's

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need to do better?

30 October 2019 communication and language skills. For instance, they talk constantly to the children, emphasising key words in their interactions to help enhance children's understanding and speaking skills. n The partnership with parents is a particular strength of the pre-school. There is very good communication between staff and parents, and effective two-way communication about children's development at home and in the setting. Parents acknowledge that staff prepare children well for the move to school. Staff work closely with the local school to support children effectively in their move on to school. For instance, children visit the school in order to become familiar with the environment and routine. n The manager continuously and effectively reflects on the quality of the provision. She ensures staff have plenty of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills through training and coaching. For example, staff who attended training

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need to do better?

about enhancing children's learning provide high-quality support for children to become involved in the planning of their own learning. n The manager and staff accurately evaluate the quality of the pre-school. They include the views of parents to help identify areas for further improvement. For example, the outdoor area has been successfully enhanced to provide children with a range of experiences and learning in all areas of learning and development. n Children benefit greatly and really enjoy being involved in the local community. For example, they ride the bus to the local garden centre and explore the local environment on nature walks. They gain a good understanding of the wider world.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety and welfare are fostered well. The manager and staff attend courses and access online training to refresh their knowledge and understanding of different aspects of child protection. They implement robust policies and procedures to promote children's welfare. They identify signs and symptoms of abuse and are clear about reporting processes, including whistle-blowing. Staff are vigilant, effectively deployed and keep the premises secure. They carry out regular safety checks of the indoor and outdoor environments. The provider follows thorough recruitment procedures to ensure those employed to work with children are suitable.

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should:

n encourage children to be independent and complete their own tasks consistently n make the most of opportunities to challenge children even further to make even

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should:

30 October 2019 greater progress in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127001 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10128678 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 Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Barham Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07941 829647 Date of previous inspection 6 July 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Barham Pre-School registered in 1994. It is situated in the grounds of Barham Primary School in Barham, Kent. It is open each weekday during term times, only on Monday to Thursday from 9am until 3pm and on Friday from 9am to midday. There are eight members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The pre-school receives early education funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The provider showed the inspector around the setting and discussed the aims of the pre-school. n The inspector talked to parents, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector reviewed a variety of documents, including qualifications, first-aid certificates, policies and records. n The inspector discussed leadership and management with the manager, and provided feedback regarding the inspection.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

30 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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