Playhouse Preschool

Inspection of Playhouse Preschool Allington Community Association, Castle Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 0PZ

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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 are happy and confident as they arrive at the setting. They separate from parents extremely well and are greeted by the friendly manager who uses signs to say good morning. Staff act as positive role models as they have developed warm, friendly relationships with children and know them know very well. This helps children to feel secure and settled.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from reassurance from staff if they become upset. For example, they look at photographs of themselves and their families. This helps them to settle, and also promotes discussion about different types of families, particularly children with English as an additional language. Children begin to learn about how they are different and similar to each other.

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The provision is good

Children are learning to share and take turns. Staff have high expectations for all children, using praise and encouragement regularly to promote positive behaviour. On the rare occasion when children display unwanted behaviours, staff respond quickly, provide clear explanations and remind them of the rules, such as 'kind hands'. This helps children to develop their understanding of what is expected of them.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's communication and language skills very well. Staff morale is high. They create a positive atmosphere, which engages children in dialogue through asking them questions and encouraging them to think for themselves. Staff also use strategies, such as sign language and picture cards, to ensure that children with limited speech can effectively communicate their needs. For example, staff use a visual timetable to support children with English as an additional language to understand what is coming next. This helps build on children's self-esteem and confidence. n Staff actively encourage children to develop their independence. For example, children wash their hands and put on their coats by themselves. Resources are easily accessible to children, allowing them to make their own choices during play. This gives children a sense of responsibility and encourages them to develop positive attitudes towards their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children very well. Through regular discussions, they talk about children's interests and how to create new learning experiences for them. The manager supports staff in developing their practice by identifying any specific areas for training. Staff supervise children closely during lunchtime, however, they do not use these times as effectively as possible to promote opportunities to develop relevant knowledge and skills. n Staff support children to develop their understanding of the world. For example,

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need to do better?

24 January 2023 children re-enact a shopping experience, as they use baskets and make marks to write shopping lists. Staff question children about different types of food and extend this by talking about types of food animals like to eat. They introduce new ideas to children's conversation; however, they are not fully effective at helping children to extend their thoughts and ideas. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop healthy lifestyles. Children enjoy a variety of healthy snacks, such as apples and cheese. They have regular access to fresh air and exercise. Children build on their physical strength and coordination as they run and go for walks. Staff teach children about how to keep themselves safe. For example, they talk about road safety and rules for approaching other walkers. n Parents have very good relationships with the manager and staff. They make comments about the level of support they receive from the 'caring, attentive

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need to do better?

staff' and about the the 'excellent communication'. Parents love how happy their children are and the level of progress they have made since attending. n The manager is the designated special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinator. She works closely with the staff team and external agencies, such as specialist teachers, to ensure children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need. Children with SEND are making good progress in their development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead completes regular training to ensure she is kept up to date with safeguarding legislation. Staff have sound safeguarding knowledge, and understand how to respond to potential concerns. For example, they know the signs and symptoms of abuse. The manager understands her legal duty to protect children from harm and knows what to do if she was concerned about a child. She has robust recruitment procedures in place and knows who to contact if an allegation was made about a member of staff. Staff complete risk assessments to ensure the environment is suitable for children to use. Children are well supervised.

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should:

n deploy staff more effectively during routine times, such as lunchtime, to enable them to develop children's knowledge and skills n strengthen staff understanding of how to use opportunities, such as during conversation, to help children extend their thoughts and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY448617 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10263583 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person Preschool Playhouse (Kent) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07761 697 295 Date of previous inspection 5 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Playhouse Preschool registered in 2012 and is located in Maidstone, Kent. It operates from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The setting employs 13 members of staff. Of these, one has qualified teacher status, two hold a level 5 qualification, five staff have a level 3 qualification and one staff holds a level 2 qualification. The setting receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 their evaluation of the setting. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability 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

24 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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