Hartfield Playschool

Inspection of Hartfield Playschool The Old Station, Edenbridge Road, HARTFIELD, East Sussex TN7 4JG

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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 flourish in this warm and welcoming environment. They engage and immerse themselves in the exciting activities set for them, which are based on their interests. Staff provide a well-thought-out curriculum to support and embed children's learning. For example, in the mud kitchen, children explore the variety of herbs and resources. They discuss making different-flavoured 'cupcakes' as they add and stir ingredients in. This supports their language development as they revisit home experiences.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They form good bonds with the staff, who are attentive and kind. They feel confident to approach staff for comfort, which supports their emotional well-being. Children have opportunities to develop their gross motor skills in the large outdoor area. They become resilient as they learn to take age-appropriate risks. Children confidently navigate climbing apparatus while staff watch and encourage them, praising them for their efforts and successes.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They listen to and follow simple instructions. For instance, they help staff tidy up the toys before lunch. Staff encourage children to use good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children start to share and take turns. They become increasingly independent. Children start managing their own self- care, such as washing their hands before meals and putting their coats on.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have high expectations for the children in their care. They know their key children well. Staff observe children's learning and identify what the intent of their curriculum is. They use their good knowledge of children to plan activities that challenge and inspire them to explore. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The manager and special educational needs coordinator work closely with families and external services to implement effective strategies to provide early intervention where required. They plan targeted support and provide individual learning activities to support children's next steps in learning. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning and development. n In general, staff support children's language and communication well. They model language and introduce new vocabulary during play and activities. For

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need to do better?

example, while engaged in a messy play activity, children are introduced to the word 'sticky'. However, at times, children do not have enough time to process and respond to one question before being asked another one. This may have an impact on children's communication development. n Staff engage well with children. They challenge children's abilities and check

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need to do better?

6 January 2023 their understanding of what they are being taught. However, at times, staff do not consistently engage with quieter or shy children during some activities. When this happens, the shy, quieter children do not fully benefit from the learning opportunities available. Consequently, not all aspects of their learning and development are consistently challenged. This can have an effect on children's attitude to learning. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. Staff support parents to provide children with healthy snacks and meals. They discuss healthy eating throughout the day and in various activities. For instance, children talk about healthy food at snack time and about brushing teeth while discussing the minty smell of 'gloop'. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the setting. Parents speak highly of the playschool. They comment that the manager and staff are extremely supportive to both their own and their children's needs. Parents describe the

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need to do better?

staff and manager as 'fantastic'. They say that they are very happy with the progress their children make in their learning and development. Staff share observations and assessments with parents so that they are fully included in their children's learning. n The manager is very passionate about her role. She implements effective strategies, such as supervision sessions and individual meetings, to evaluate workload and promote staff well-being. She offers effective one-to-one meetings that support staff to reflect on their practice and discuss additional training and any personal issues. Staff comment that they feel well supported.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. They can identify the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect. The manager and her team have a good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding, including radicalisation and online safety. They know what to do and who to contact when they have a concern about a child or an adult, including any potential allegation against a member of staff. All staff attend mandatory safeguarding training as part of their induction. Robust recruitment and vetting systems are in place to ensure that those working with children are suitable.

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should:

n support staff to build on their questioning skills to extend children's learning and development, allowing them enough time to process and express their thoughts n support staff to further adapt activities to ensure that all children, particularly quieter children, can fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487211 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10264339 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 49 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Hartfield Playschool CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01892 770830 Date of previous inspection 12 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Hartfield Playschool re-registered in 2015 with a changed legal status. It is open from Monday to Friday, term time only, and offers different sessions. Sessions are from 9am to 11.30am, 12.30pm to 3pm or all day from 9am to 3pm. The setting receives funding for children aged two years. There are six members of staff working with the children. Of these, one holds a relevant level 5 early years qualification, two hold relevant level 3 early years qualifications, and two members of staff are unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk to discuss the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents and took account of their views. n The inspector met with the nominated individual and manager to discuss aspects of leadership and management. She looked at relevant documentation and

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Inspection activities

evidence of the suitability of staff working in the playschool.

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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

6 January 2023 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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