Kingsdown Pre-School

Inspection of Kingsdown Pre-School Village Hall, Upper Street, Kingsdown, DEAL, Kent CT14 8BJ

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and enjoy their time at pre-school, which shows that they feel safe and secure in their surroundings. They form positive relationships with their key person and seek them out to engage them in their play. Children develop special friendships and show an interest in each other's games. They build their self-care skills effectively. For example, children wash their hands independently before snack time without any prompts from staff and clear their plates after eating. Children behave well. Staff remind them about being kind to each other and talking to their friends to resolve any issues.

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The provision requires improvement

A newly appointed manager has plans in place to help develop the quality of education, particularly the curriculum intent, although these plans are in the early stages. She recognises that the current arrangements, at times, limit children's learning experiences. Therefore, activities staff plan do not always provide enough challenge and respond to children's development needs. This does not enable children to make the best possible progress in their learning. Those who have oversight and governance of the pre-school, in particular, the nominated individual, do not have an in-depth understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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need to do better?

n Staff know their individual children well and what they can do. However, they do not implement their curriculum intent consistently well to make sure children are fully ready for their next stage in learning. Advice from other professionals, particularly speech and language teams, has not been swiftly applied to help ensure children's gaps in development consistently close in readiness for their move to school. Many activities, particularly outdoor activities, do not provide sufficient challenge and do not focus enough on what children need to learn. n Leaders do not make sure that requirements are continually met. They do not apply their policies as efficiently as possible, including the use of social media to help ensure the safe management of the setting. Leaders do not make sure new committee members supply all the necessary information to Ofsted so checks can be completed. Records are not readily available for inspection, particularly

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need to do better?

paediatric first-aid certificates, and staff qualifications and documentation is kept off the premises without Ofsted consent. However, the breaches in requirements do not have a significant impact on children's safety. n Parents are very happy with the service the pre-school provides. They comment that children have settled quickly and staff cater for children's individual backgrounds well. Staff work with parents effectively and share regular information with them to support learning at home, including during the pandemic. For example, staff share stories and rhymes online. n Staff have regular supervision and opportunities to discuss their well-being and

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need to do better?

26 May 2021 workload. For instance, leaders have sent a well-being questionnaire for staff to help understand their needs. The new manager monitors staff practice effectively to identify areas of strength and development. She has arrangements in place to help develop the quality of the provision. n Staff support children's literacy skills effectively, for example when they read stories before children go outside to play. Staff support children's mathematical development well. For example, they count, build with shapes and introduce early addition. Children are confident to talk to adults about their interests. For instance, they animatedly describe their favourite dinosaur, a Triceratops. Children move freely around the setting and younger children develop their imagination successfully. For example, they engage with small-world figures and sing to themselves as they play. n Leaders know how to use additional funding well to help support children's

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need to do better?

specific needs. For example, they purchase technology equipment to help encourage children's confidence and self-esteem. Staff work effectively with other settings children attend. They share regular development information to help provide a consistent approach in children's learning and care needs. n Staff successfully adapt the provision with regard to the pandemic to keep children safe. For example, they maintain small groups of children and minimise the risk of cross-infection while eating.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know the signs that would cause them concern about a child's welfare and the processes to follow. They know what to do to escalate their concerns if leaders did not take action. Leaders have secure vetting and recruitment systems in place. For example, they conduct interviews, seek references and have a thorough induction programme. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles and responsibilities. Leaders know what to do if there was an allegation against a member of staff. This helps to protect children from harm.

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Due date

26 May 2021 take action to improve knowledge and understanding of those with oversight and governance to help ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities, maintain requirements and develop the overall quality of provision 27/07/2021

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Due date

improve the implementation of the curriculum intent to fully build on what children know and can do and to assist gaps in development to consistently close, particularly speech and language 27/07/2021

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Due date

ensure all records are readily available for inspection and consent is gained from Ofsted for any documentation kept off the premises, particularly first-aid certificates and qualifications 27/07/2021

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Due date

apply effective procedures to ensure that committee members swiftly provide the relevant information to Ofsted so checks can be completed. 27/07/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127307 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10196299 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

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inspection

Total number of places 27 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Kingsdown Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07968 263 185 Date of previous inspection 16 September 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Kingsdown Pre-School opened in 1976. It operates from the village hall in Kingsdown, near Deal. It operates Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. There are eight members of staff who work with children. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents and children. n The inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process. n The inspector observed the quality of education and the impact this has on children's learning and development.

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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

26 May 2021 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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