Hoo Saints

Inspection of Hoo Saints Village Hall, Pottery Road, Hoo, Rochester Kent ME3 9BS

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

The manager at the setting does not effectively track and monitor staff's practice. Staff do not have a secure knowledge of how to provide an engaging environment that meets the needs of all children. The daily routines and activities staff plan are not sufficiently focused to help support younger children to develop their knowledge and skills. Therefore, staff are not able to offer high-quality learning experiences for all children.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children feel safe and are happy to come into the setting to meet with staff and friends. The older children are keen to join in with activities. They particularly enjoy setting out the doll's house. However, the positioning of resources does not always allow children enough space to spread out and interact and focus on their game. As a result, they do not engage in meaningful play before moving on to their next activity.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

The children talk to staff about how many pancakes they ate for breakfast as they roll out the yellow dough to make pancakes. Staff support children to socialise and learn how to treat others with respect. For instance, children listen to staff and share out their dough so that everyone can join in. Staff make use of the activity to talk to the children about how to stay safe when cooking, such as making sure they do not touch the play cooking hob as it is 'hot'. However, opportunities to extend children's knowledge across all areas of learning are not fully utilised.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager is dedicated to continuing to work on improving the service they provide to children and their families. She has faced additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is working hard to recruit appropriate staff to fill the current vacancy. n The staff know the children well and endeavour to make use of children's interests to plan the day's activities. However, not all staff have a secure understanding of how to ensure they offer children an engaging environment with a range of experiences that meet their needs. Consequently, younger children wander around the room, while older children lack a clear focus and are not sufficiently challenged in their play to enable them to reach their full potential. n The manager does not provide supervision for staff which focuses on addressing the inconsistencies in their teaching and practice. Therefore, they are not effectively supported to offer high-quality learning experiences for all children.

p.2

need to do better?

For example, staff support children's communication and language. They encourage children to talk about their families as they play with the doll's house. However, some staff do not consistently provide the appropriate level of

p.2

need to do better?

1 March 2022 challenge to ensure all children make the progress of which they are capable. n The manager is passionate about supporting all families within the setting. For example, she provides additional staff to support more vulnerable children and families with one-to-one care. The special educational needs coordinator works closely with parents and staff to put in place plans to help support any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are not able to go into the setting at present. Parents speak highly of the staff team and comment that they value the care and support their children receive. Staff regularly inform parents about daily routines at drop-off and collection times. However, staff do not always share sufficient information with parents about children's progress to engage them in their children's learning and development. n Children have opportunities to practise riding on push-along tricycles and

p.2

need to do better?

scooters in the enclosed indoor area. Older children are eager to fill the cars and bicycles up with fuel, before riding around. Children do have opportunities to go outside to exercise. However, staff do not ensure these happen regularly throughout the day. As a result, children's energy levels are high and older children become excitable, which can be quite disruptive and increase noise levels in the hall. n Staff understand the importance of encouraging children to drink water or milk at snack times. However, they do not provide parents with information on how to provide healthy drinks and foods at lunchtimes. Consequently, staff do not consistently promote children's understanding of how to make healthy choices.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has a secure understanding of child protection and how to safeguard children. Staff have a suitable knowledge of the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect, including wider safeguarding concerns, such as being alert to extreme views and beliefs. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The manager has strong recruitment procedures in place to ensure all adults working with children are suitable. She ensures staff receive suitable information as part of their induction procedure.

p.3

Due date

1 March 2022 support staff to improve and develop their teaching skills to enhance the organisation of the learning environment and provide meaningful interactions during children's play to increase children's knowledge and skills 29/04/2022

p.3

Due date

provide effective supervision and training to ensure staff keep their practice current and that they understand their roles and responsibilities. 29/04/2022

p.4

should:

n strengthen information-sharing with parents to further develop partnership working, so that parents are kept informed and involved in their child's progress and learning n provide children with consistent messages about making healthy choices, including a healthy diet and exercise, as they develop the skills needed for their future.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY551057 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10133865 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Lowther, Zoe Ellen

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07725264333 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Hoo Saints registered in 2017. It operates in Hoo, near Rochester, Kent. The setting is open from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. The provider is registered to provide funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. They employ six members of staff. Of these, three hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3 and one at level 2.

p.5

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 manager completed a learning walk with the inspector and discussed how the curriculum is implemented and how this benefits children's development. n The manager explained how they monitor children's progress and plan for their next steps. n The inspector read messages and spoke to parents to gain their views on the service they receive from the manager and staff. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation. The manager later discussed with the inspector the strengths and areas for development she identified during the observation.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

1 March 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

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.7

Inspection activities

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7