The Gingerbread House

Inspection of The Gingerbread House Centenary Hall, Wheelers Lane, Smallfield, Surrey RH6 9PT

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children of all ages and abilities are settled, confident and very happy at the warm and inviting setting. They are eager to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. Children enjoy their learning and are encouraged to succeed. For example, children are asked how they think they could stop their towers from falling over, as they build them with blocks. They are pleased when they decide to try and build at a slower pace, and this stops them falling.

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The provision is good

All children gain a good understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. They talk about the difference between healthy food and less healthier options. Children brush their teeth after lunch and talk about the importance of good oral health. Children develop good physical skills. For example, they confidently climb and balance on a variety of equipment, including tyres. Children work together to roll tyres down a slope and explore the concept of speed. All children communicate their ideas and answer the thought-provoking questions staff ask them with confidence. Children are empathetic and caring. For instance, they gently hug and comfort children who are momentarily upset. Children begin to understand the meaning of friendships.

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need to do better?

n The managers and staff establish very secure and trusting relationships with all children. They get to know what makes them unique. Children of all ages have a good sense of belonging and positive levels of well-being. Children enjoy the company of staff, and they giggle happily as they play games together. n Overall, children behave well, and staff support them to develop good social skills. For example, they encourage them to say 'please' and 'thank you'. Staff recognise and praise good behaviour. However, they do not consistently help children to fully understand why they are being asked to stop a certain action. For example, when children are asked to sit down they are not provided with an explanation as to why. Children do not have consistent opportunities to fully understand the possible consequences of their actions. n All children have a positive attitude towards their learning. Staff support all

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need to do better?

children to make good progress. This includes those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff support them from earliest stages, including making successful referrals to specialists with parents' permission if required. They implement helpful strategies to support children. This includes using consistent sign language to help them to communicate effectively. n Overall, children are engaged in motivating experiences, covering all areas of learning. For example, children express their creative ideas as they design an owl using twigs and feathers. However, staff do not consistently build on

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need to do better?

22 February 2023 children's interest of early literacy skills. For example, when they are keen to write their name, staff are quick to intervene and write it for them. Therefore, children do not have consistent opportunities to develop their writing skills even further. n All staff, including the managers, establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak very highly of them. Staff keep them well involved and informed in their children's interests and learning. Staff share detailed information with parents to help them support their children at home. This includes healthy eating ideas. n The managers closely monitor the good quality of education and care that staff provide. They routinely observe staff teach children and provide them with constructive feedback. Staff evaluate their practice together and discuss what went well and what could be developed further. They use their findings to support future practice.

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need to do better?

n All staff attend regular training. They have recently learned about the different ways to support children to be confident to communicate their ideas. This includes using listening and speaking games in learning and consistent visual signs alongside spoken words. n The managers and staff help children to develop a good understanding of other peoples' similarities and differences outside of their own communities and experiences. This includes traditions of other countries. For example, children bake traditional Australian Anzac cookies and taste Scottish haggis. They talk about different families and backgrounds, such as those from a Romany Gypsy heritage.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff, including the managers, have a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. This includes having a strong understanding of what signs and symptoms of abuse to be vigilant for. Staff know who they would contact to seek advice and how to raise and follow up any potential concerns. They are confident in knowing how to deal with any allegations raised against staff. The managers understand how to manage any complaints professionally. They ensure that they adhere to the correct staff-to-child ratio, and children are always safely supervised by staff who deploy themselves well.

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should:

n further improve teaching to ensure children always understand acceptable behaviour expectations n provide more opportunities for children to develop their writing skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2610231 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10264461 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 24 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person The Gingerbread House Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01342841880 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Gingerbread House registered in 2020. It is located in Smallfield in Horley, Surrey. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 8am until 3.30pm, all year around. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. A team of six staff work with the children, four of whom hold relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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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 setting. n The inspector carried out a learning walk with the manager. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n Written documentation was reviewed. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the managers, children, parents and staff at convenient times and considered their views.

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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

22 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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