Fawkham Pre-School

Inspection of Fawkham Pre-School Kent Down House, Scudders Hill, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent DA3 8PA

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children love spending time in the highly nurturing home-from-home pre-school. They are extremely motivated learners, and they thrive within this unique, rich and enchanting environment. Children are exceedingly happy and confident. They develop high levels of self-esteem and know that they are cherished by staff. Staff celebrate each child's uniqueness and the excellent progress that they make.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have many fantastic opportunities to develop their physical skills. They learn to confidently navigate the woodland area as they balance and climb. Children manage their own risks with skill as they use a rope swing or climb trees. Children demonstrate excellent spatial awareness and coordination as they run and chase in the impressive range of outdoor areas.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. They are totally focused and enthusiastic in their play. Children learn to share and take turns as they play incredibly well together with their friends. They fully understand what is expected of them and show excellent independence from a young age. For instance, they assess the weather and environment in order to know how to appropriately prepare and dress themselves to go outside. They make independent choices in their play and delight in sitting together to enjoy the honey sandwiches that they prepared for a picnic.

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need to do better?

n The staff have an impressive understanding of the curriculum and plan activities, which are consistently aligned with this. They are skilled and experienced and provide exceptional support for children to express their ideas. Staff know precisely when to interact with children to support their learning to the full potential. They invite children to help plan their own learning and play experiences for the next day. Children are excited to explore the inspiring, creative spaces that quickly capture their interests. Staff see the learning potential in everything children do. They embrace children's ideas and sequence their learning in a way that helps all children to become highly motivated learners. n There is a very strong emphasis on supporting children to care for things and the world around them. For example, when children discover a worm in the garden, they talk about its needs and work together to very gently return it to a

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need to do better?

safe place. Children thoroughly enjoyed caring for ducklings and handling them with extreme care, as part of their sustainable development project. Children also learned about healthy foods and different food from around the world in depth. This helps children to learn about nurture, well-being and diversity. n Children's communication and language development is supported exceptionally well. Staff introduce new words to children through exciting storytelling, rhyme

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need to do better?

19 January 2022 and discussions. They skilfully provide children with superb challenges and ask questions that encourage children to think and provide detail in their responses. For instance, they provide children with descriptive clues to help them carefully discover the answer to challenges. Staff talk to the children about their own experiences that relate to their favourite stories. This helps extend their thinking, builds their vocabulary and children's language skills flourish. n The manager is inspirational and highly motivated. She is committed to high- quality childcare and works exceptionally hard to achieve this aim. For instance, she provided children and their families with ongoing support, home activities, projects and regular updates during the COVID-19 lockdowns. These were provided in an enjoyable and unique way to support children's understanding of sustainability and provide support and reassurance.

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need to do better?

n Since returning from the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, staff have focused on helping children to manage their own feelings and behaviours. Children and staff form wonderful, supportive bonds. Staff empower children to develop their self- esteem. They encourage children to be respectful and give them lots of praise and recognition as things go well for children. Children are incredibly well prepared for the next stages in their learning or move on to school. n Partnerships with parents and carers are exemplary. Parents speak very highly about the pre-school and say that the provision is 'unique and very special'. The manager provides superb support for parents and her staff team. Staff commit to regular training and share what they learn with each other. They work together to regularly evaluate the quality of all they do in order to provide outstanding experiences for children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a very strong awareness of possible risks to children and how to keep them safe. They demonstrate a very clear understanding of the signs to look out for in relation to possible safeguarding concerns. The manager and staff have an excellent knowledge of what to do should they have a concern about children or staff and what procedures to follow. Staff provide excellent support to children to keep themselves safe and healthy. For example, children have an excellent understanding of assessing risks and benefit from exciting physical challenges. Children play and learn in a secure, well-maintained, fascinating environment, where staff are vigilant to any potential risks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY313734 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10128719 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Baddeley, Susan Carol Douglas

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reference number

Telephone number 07442507479 Date of previous inspection 16 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Fawkham Pre-School registered in 2005. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, during school term time. There are three members of staff, two who hold childcare qualifications at level 3 and the manager who holds a BA Honours Degree. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector sampled documentation such as staff files, first-aid certificates, and risk assessments. n The manager and the inspector took part in a learning walk at the start of the inspection, to find out what staff intend children to learn and how they implement the curriculum. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation to find out how they evaluate teaching. n The inspector spoke to staff and children throughout the inspection and gained the views of parents.

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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

19 January 2022 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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