Nettlestead & Wateringbury Preschool & Out of school Club

Inspection of Nettlestead & Wateringbury Preschool & Out of school Club Nettlestead & Wateringbury Pre School, Maidstone Road, Wateringbury, MAIDSTONE, Kent ME18 5ER

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel incredibly happy and safe. The pre-school staff know the children well and greet them with open arms on their arrival. Children show high levels of maturity as they separate from their parents and carers with ease. They settle down quickly in the well-planned environment, which meets their needs and interests. For instance, children show maturity as they experiment with making their own play dough, needing little assistance from staff. They show high levels of involvement, experimenting and exploring quantities.

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The provision is good

Children show a natural desire to want to know more. For example, during a planting activity they asked relevant questions about the roots and their purpose. Skilled staff are on hand to support children's learning, explaining about how plants use their roots to 'absorb' water to grow. Children show that they understand what the staff are saying as they later discuss the need to 'water the roots so they grow', finding watering cans and old pots to collect water to do this.

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The provision is good

Children help each other and are kind and considerate. The older children guide the learning of the younger children with compassion. For instance, when mark making, children approach their friends and ask them to 'draw dots' that they could then trace over. The children supported this and stayed to help their friends hold their pencil correctly.

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need to do better?

n Children's speech and language develops well. Staff provide a language-rich environment by regularly reading with the children and singing songs. For example, children eagerly take books to staff, who settle down and immerse themselves in the book with the children. This has been further promoted, such as by the new 'lending library'. Children show pride in returning their books to pre-school. They talk to their key person about the story and the characters before choosing a new book to take home. n The committee and managers have strong procedures in place to support staff. For example, they have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss staff well-being and any training needs. Managers also use regular team meetings to revisit the curriculum intent. For example, staff discuss the changing needs of the children, and how the environment can be altered to accommodate this. n Parents and carers speak incredibly highly of the pre-school. They comment how

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need to do better?

friendly and approachable staff are. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities feel well supported and informed of their children's progress. For example, the new online journals are proving to be a successful way of communicating with parents. Parents comment on how quick it is to see what their children have been doing, and what they can do at home to further

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 support their development. n Children are becoming increasingly independent. For instance, they learn to blow their noses and skilfully put on their coats when wanting to play outside. However, on occasion, staff are not fully effective at helping children to develop their skills and knowledge to manage risks and challenges in their play. For example, staff quickly clean up water that children spill and do not fully consider how to teach them to do this and help them understand why this is important. n Children learn about the wider community through trips out and visitors that are invited to the setting. For instance, the local police came to speak to the children about traffic awareness and stranger danger. Trips out in the village provide further opportunities for children to visit features of their local environment. For example, children take trips to the local library to collect books, watch trains at

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need to do better?

the local train station and take picnics to enjoy by the local stream. This helps children begin to learn about how where they live is unique. n Children generally behave well. However, the staff are not consistent in their approach to unwanted behaviour. For example, when children do not follow the rules, staff are quick to point this out. However, they do not reinforce their expectations, so children are quick to repeat this behaviour.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a thorough understanding of their duty to protect children. They have vigorous and comprehensive training, which enables them to fully understand the risks to children and how to report any concerns. The designated lead for safeguarding is very knowledgeable and supports staff in their safeguarding role. She understands the safeguarding risks to children while outside of the pre-school, such as radicalisation and the effects of domestic violence. The pre-school is safe and secure. There are processes in place for visitors to the pre- school, to ensure that they are aware of the safeguarding leads and how to respond to any concerns while visiting.

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should:

n provide a consistent approach to behaviour management to fully support all children to understand behaviour expectations n support staff understanding of how to teach children the skills to recognise and manage possible risks and challenges in their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440322 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10263683 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 24 Number of children on roll 43

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Name of registered person

Nettlestead and Wateringbury Preschool and Out of Schools Club

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reference number

Telephone number 01622813120 Date of previous inspection 9 May 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Nettlestead & Wateringbury Preschool & Out of school Club registered in 2010. The pre-school offers full, sessional and out-of-school care. It opens each weekday from 7.30 am to 6.30pm. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs nine members of staff. Of these, seven hold qualifications at level 3 and above.

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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 and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the pre-school. 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 their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

7 February 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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