Mayfield Preschool

Inspection of Mayfield Preschool Court Meadow, Tunbridge Wells Road, MAYFIELD, East Sussex TN20 6PJ

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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 are extremely confident in their surroundings. Staff are highly sensitive to children's unique needs and give them the time they need to settle into the pre- school. This has a significant impact on children's sense of belonging and the bonds they make with their key-person. Staff provide a nurturing environment that extensively supports children's interest in the play opportunities available to them.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated and show extremely high levels of intrigue and curiosity within their play. They constantly question how things work, what is going to happen next and why things happen. For example, children explore the mechanical crane, pulling levers and turning buttons to see what happens. They extend this further to balance objects on the platform, watching what happens as it is raised and dropped. Children learn quickly to slow the turning of the button to balance the object so that it does not fall off.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's communication and language is promoted successfully through purposeful conversations and the introduction of complex vocabulary. Staff promote a strong emphasis on recognising different forms of communication. Children's understanding of spoken words is richly embedded through the use of gestures, expressions and signing. They are highly confident to express their needs, showing great expression in their conversations with their friends. For example, children use expressions and words to show their amazement at the changes in their 'magic potions'. They use highly descriptive words to explain their delight.

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need to do better?

n Children develop excellent independence skills. They learn through positive examples from their peers and from staff. Children eagerly choose where to play, inside or outside, choosing from a vast range of experiences. Staff encourage children to extend their play. Children demonstrate this by transporting equipment from one area to another to enhance their learning and to share their experiences with others. n Staff have an exceptional knowledge and understanding of how children learn. They identify children's interests and ways of learning, incorporating a rich and stimulating play environment to channel these interests. Staff identify a clear intention for each child's learning and how they are going to support this particular development. They fully evaluate the impact their practice has on children's progress. This results in children making exceedingly good progress, particularly in the three prime areas of learning.

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need to do better?

n Children gain an immense sense of belonging to the local community. They develop relationships with elderly visitors who share stories and experiences with

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need to do better?

17 January 2023 them. Children work with other members of the community to develop the orchard within the village, sharing the experience of harvest time. Staff show a strong commitment to the village project of joining the community together through different establishments and topics. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive exceptional support from staff. Staff work sensitively with parents, who highly appreciate the time, effort and support they give. Staff provide a very personalised programme and they understand how to plan small steps to help children develop at their own rate. This results in children reaching their potential. Staff continue to develop their knowledge and skills to help meet the particular needs of these children. n Children have an extraordinary attitude towards learning. They demonstrate dynamic learning strategies that are motivated through staff's practice,

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need to do better?

interaction and engagement with them. Children eagerly explore and experiment in their play, involving their friends and staff in their highly productive achievements. For example, boys use chalks experimentally, rolling them down the hill looking at the marks they are making on the path. They use different techniques and resources, as well as trial and error, to remove the marks. They enthusiastically share their findings of using sponges and water to wipe them away. n The staff work cohesively, supporting and motivating each other in their roles and responsibilities. They develop strong professionalism, eagerly gaining information, skills and knowledge to strengthen their practice. Staff tailor their training towards the needs of the children attending and the skills and knowledge they require to unreservedly meet those needs. n Staff evaluate and reflect comprehensively to identify patterns of development

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need to do better?

and any gaps in their curriculum. They notice that children have extreme skills using small-muscle development, but have limited core strength. Staff completed training and initiate balance-ability sessions to encourage children to learn new skills and to develop large muscles in their bodies. They have noticed an increase in children's strength, coordination and movement.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a extremely robust knowledge of how to protect children from harm. Their knowledge of procedures and the signs and symptoms of abuse are regularly tested through scenarios and access to the latest information. Members of the committee are actively engaged in pre-school life. They have a strong understanding and attitude towards their roles and responsibilities to safeguard and promote the well-being of children, staff and parents. Staff's ongoing suitability is continuously reviewed. Children play in a safe and secure environment. Managers take children's understanding of safety very seriously. They highly promote children's confidence to successfully assess safety through discussions and demonstrations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109464 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10264762 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 42 Name of registered person Mayfield Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01435 872523 Date of previous inspection 26 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Mayfield Preschool has been in operation since the 1970s and registered with Ofsted in 2001. It is located in Mayfield, Kent. The pre-school is open on Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 3pm during term time only. There are seven staff employed to work with the children. Of these, six hold early years qualifications to level 3. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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 inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

17 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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