Rainbow Pre-School

Inspection of Rainbow Pre-School 149 St. Richards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9LD

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are settled, happy and always busily engaged in this highly inclusive pre- school. They illustrate how happy they are as they enter the building with a beaming smile. Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills. For example, they self-register when they arrive and choose what they would like to play with. Staff know each child extremely well and are highly attentive to their needs throughout the day. They are quick to provide comfort and reassurance, supporting children to feel safe and happy to explore their surroundings.

p.2

The provision is good

All children show excitement when exploring the activities on offer. For instance, they thoroughly enjoy investigating how to release toy animals from ice with a toothbrush. Children delight in building the tallest tower with shapes, and singing and dancing along with familiar songs. There are many opportunities for children to take part in both large- and small-group activities. Children are keen to engage and show a sense of belonging to the group. They show awe and wonder in their faces when exploring the world of animals, rockets and space travel. Children are exposed to a wealth of different resources that support them to build their independence, resilience, physical skills and social skills. They are well supported to move on to the next stage of their learning journey.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff carefully plan and deliver activities that build on prior knowledge. They use assessment well to identify and address any gaps, ensuring that children make progress. The curriculum is designed to be ambitious for all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The setting uses funding effectively to provide resources to support children's individual needs. For example, they have purchased specialist equipment for physical development and sensory resources to help promote their emotional development. This helps to keep children motivated, interested and active learners. n Staff present information clearly and provide appropriate challenge for children. They introduce new learning and use questioning effectively to further their understanding. For example, staff challenge children to find specific colours or numbers of objects and to solve simple problems. Children's faces light up with

p.2

need to do better?

pride as they excitedly run to staff and receive high praise for their achievements. This builds their independence and resilience skills and helps to develop a 'can-do' attitude to learning. n Staff support language development well and introduce new vocabulary during play, such as 'solid' and 'liquid' when looking at ice melting. Generally, children are making good progress in their language development. However, staff do not consistently use a range of techniques to help those children who struggle to communicate their wants and needs verbally. This can result in some children

p.2

need to do better?

10 January 2023 becoming frustrated at times as they cannot communicate effectively. n The provider maintains a good working relationship with parents. Parents report feeling supported and say that their children enjoy attending the setting. However, some parents are unsure of their child's next steps in learning and how they can further support learning at home. This does not fully support continuity in care and learning. n Children show that they understand the rules and routines well. They help their friends to remember to wash their hands and clear away their plates at snack time. Children are happy to help tidy resources away and eagerly await the next activity. Staff's consistent expectations and boundaries support a positive and respectful environment. n All staff promote a culture of good manners. Children are reminded to be polite and kind to one another. Staff focus on promoting friendships for all children,

p.2

need to do better?

especially those who are new to the setting. Children enjoy the responsibility of 'buddying up' with new children. For instance, they take their hands to guide them and show them how to brush a toy animal's teeth with foam. n The provider supports staff to further develop their own skills and knowledge through training and to make progress with their personal achievements. However, this is not as strong for newer members of staff. This means that children are not consistently benefiting from the good-quality education that the staff are capable of delivering. n The provider has a clear vision for a highly inclusive setting that provides good care and education to all. She uses her staff's expertise to provide an evolving curriculum to address the needs of the current children. The manager has shared this vision with her staff, who instinctively know where they need to be and how they need to support each child to make the best progress they can.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a clear understanding of child protection issues and their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding all children. Staff are clear about the importance of making prompt referrals should they have any concerns about a child. They understand how to deal with allegations made against staff. Staff undertake effective risk assessments of the pre-school environment, which helps to reduce and minimise any potential hazards. The manager follows safer recruitment procedures to make sure that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.3

should:

n build on staff's understanding of how to further extend children's communication skills

p.3

should:

10 January 2023 n strengthen communication with parents by sharing clear information about their children's learning n plan professional development opportunities for newer staff to help extend their knowledge and skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 127492 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10263054 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Hawkes, Tracy

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07966 400296 Date of previous inspection 19 April 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Rainbow Pre-School registered in 1993. It operates from the Godric Centre in Deal, Kent. The pre-school is open on Monday to Friday from 9am to 3.30pm, during term time only. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school employs nine staff. Of these, two, including the manager, hold a degree in early education, three hold a qualification at level 3, and three hold a qualification at level 2.

p.5

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 provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum. n The inspector spoke with staff, interacted with children and viewed appropriate documentation. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider. n Parents shared their views about the setting with the inspector.

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

10 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.

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