Katherine Wheel Pre-School

Inspection of Katherine Wheel Pre- School St. Katherines School, St. Katherines Lane, SNODLAND, Kent ME6 5EJ

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at this pre-school. They arrive confidently and settle quickly. Children become deeply involved in a variety of inviting, interesting and engaging activities. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. All children show they have formed strong bonds with staff, who are welcoming and sensitive to children's needs.

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The provision is good

Children generally display good behaviour and enjoy the company of others. Staff are good role models and gently explain to children how they expect them to behave. Children are learning to share resources, take turns and play cooperatively. This helps them to be prepared with the social skills required for their next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages develop a love of reading and enjoy a wide range of books. They select books independently and listen to staff as they enthusiastically read stories. Children join in with familiar words and phrases, and they enjoy action songs and rhymes.

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The provision is good

Children are confident at negotiating their ideas and involving others in their imaginative play. They make choices from a wide variety of dressing-up clothes and use their imaginations to pretend that the garden climbing frame is a space rocket.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have positive relationships with each other. Staff benefit from regular discussions about their performance and professional development. They have opportunities to grow their knowledge and skills through training. For instance, staff have recently learned to use different methods of communication to support children's communication and language development. n Staff understand the importance of promoting children's physical development. For instance, they provide opportunities outdoors for children to plan and make an obstacle course from planks, crates and tyres. Children develop their physical skills as they learn to balance and negotiate the course. n The manager has a clear vision for the nursery and makes ongoing improvements. She and the staff reflect together on the quality of the provision and take account of the views of parents and children. For example, they have increased the range of opportunities children have to explore literacy throughout

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need to do better?

their play. The garden area has been significantly enhanced. The outdoor learning space and plentiful resources allow children to play and explore. For instance, children can now use the available climbing equipment to challenge their physical skills, and they use the 'literacy shed' to practise their early

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need to do better?

4 May 2022 handwriting. n Staff place a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills. For instance, they talk constantly to the children and clearly emphasise key words within their interactions to help enhance children's understanding and speaking skills. Staff also use some signing to help children make choices, understand routines and express their needs. n Parents speak highly of the provision and of the progress their children make. The manager and staff have established a well-managed key-person system. For example, staff ensure that they update parents about the progress their children make day to day. Staff use online systems to provide further information about children's learning and how parents can support this at home. n Staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They get to know children's individual

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need to do better?

needs and interests well. The manager and staff form effective professional relationships with outside agencies. Children are swiftly provided with extra support, where needed, to help them make good progress in their learning and development. n The manager and staff work together to design an ambitious curriculum. They use additional funding well to support children's learning. Staff carefully follow children's interests. They use information from observations and assessments to plan exciting activities. However, occasionally, staff do not build further on the older children's existing skills and extend their learning to help them make even more progress. n Staff plan to support children's development and encourage their independent learning. Children manage their personal care and wash their hands effectively when required. However, on occasions, staff complete tasks which children can manage themselves.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are well supervised at all times. The pre-school is secure and routinely checked to ensure the safety of children. Recruitment systems in place are good, which ensures that all staff working with children are suitable to do so. Managers and staff have a good understanding of the pre-school's safeguarding policies and procedures. They know how to identify potential signs and symptoms of abuse and are confident to report any concerns. Staff demonstrate a secure knowledge of the correct procedure to follow should there be any concerns about the conduct of a colleague.

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should:

4 May 2022 n provide more opportunities for the older children to extend their learning even further n strengthen staff support and help them to understand how to provide further challenge during activities for older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127287 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10228024 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Katherine Wheel Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01634 240140 Date of previous inspection 28 November 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Katherine Wheel Pre-School registered in 1997 and is situated in the grounds of St Katherine's School, Snodland, Kent. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school employs six members of staff, including the manager. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager holds a degree in early years. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school 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 her evaluation of the pre-school. n The inspector had a learning walk with the manager to discuss the pre-school's curriculum, safeguarding procedures, staff recruitment and the pre-school's development. n At appropriate times during the inspection, the inspector spoke to staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector reviewed documentation relating to the suitability and qualifications of staff.

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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

4 May 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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