Brightstart Preschool

Inspection of Brightstart Preschool Parish Church Hall, 25 Quarry Hill Road, Borough Green, SEVENOAKS TN15 8RQ

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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 are happy and confident as they explore their environment. They display high levels of engagement and are engrossed while playing with their friends and the staff. Staff deploy themselves well and immerse themselves in children's play. This helps children to build secure bonds with all the staff, allowing them to feel comfortable as they play and learn.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They demonstrate a secure understanding of the routine as a result of staff's high expectations. For example, children are developing good hygiene practices as they wash their hands before mealtimes. Staff are supporting children to learn about how to keep themselves safe. For example, before walking down the stairs, staff remind children to walk slowly and hold onto the rail. This teaches children how to keep themselves safe.

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The provision is good

Staff make effective use of the environment, ensuring that children have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop. They have created quiet areas within the room, which allow children to access books independently and promote their interest in stories. Children pay close attention, listening to staff as they read stories throughout the day. Overall, story time is a positive social experience for children. These opportunities allow children to enhance their attention skills and build on their vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n Staff display sound knowledge of the ways in which children learn. They have developed strong relationships with all children, using their interests effectively to engage them in different learning experiences. For example, staff use children's interests in cars to teach them about people who help them, such as police officers and firefighters. As a result, children are developing positive attitudes towards their learning and are broadening their knowledge of the world they live in. n Staff encourage children to develop healthy lifestyles. They provide children with healthy snacks and hot, nutritious meals. Children are developing positive attitudes towards food as they talk confidently about their favourite items. For example, children say they love 'cheese' and 'pasta' as they carefully serve themselves lunch. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that children are provided with a healthy packed lunch.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff deploy themselves well, interacting positively with children and immersing themselves in their play. However, at times, particularly after lunch, some staff lack confidence in organising and preparing the room ready for the children. For example, some staff spend time waiting around while others rush to tidy up, creating a busy atmosphere. Therefore, not all children are fully

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need to do better?

14 June 2023 engaged in meaningful play and learning during these times. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Staff work closely with parents and external professionals, completing referrals and implementing strategies in a timely manner. This ensures that children with SEND are provided with the appropriate support they need. As a result, children with SEND are making good progress from their starting points. n Staff offer a language-rich environment. They speak calmly to children and pose questions to extend children's thinking. For example, as they role play doctors, staff teach children about different treatments, such as medicines, X-rays and bandages. This allows children to learn new words and develop their social skills as they help to care for one another. n Staff ensure that the environment is inviting for children to explore. They provide children with a variety of resources to promote their learning. However,

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need to do better?

at times, staff are not consistent in ensuring that children understand the importance of tidying away toys after they have finished playing. This results in floor space becoming cluttered, causing children to become distracted in their learning and play. n Parents speak highly of the setting. They comment on the 'friendly' staff and 'welcoming' environment, and they feel well informed about their children's activities. The managers seek feedback from parents regularly to make any necessary changes in the setting. This helps parents to feel valued and encourages them to contribute towards their child's learning. n The managers regularly evaluate the environment, making changes when necessary to fully support children's learning. The managers have strong support systems in place for the staff team, conducting regular staff meetings. As a result, staff feel well supported by the managers, and staff morale is high.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have sound safeguarding knowledge. They know the children very well and feel confident in recognising any sudden changes in behaviour. Staff are aware of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse, such as unexplained bruising. They have procedures in place if they are concerned about a child's safety. Staff know who to contact if an allegation is made against another member of staff. The manager has established robust recruitment procedures to ensure that suitability checks are carried out. The manager has risk assessments in place to ensure the environment is suitable for children to use.

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should:

14 June 2023 n develop staff confidence to help them manage the organisation of transition times more effectively n help children take responsibility for their toys and the environment more consistently to ensure there is space for them to learn and explore.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2639361 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10289106 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person Brightstart Preschool Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07858188867 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Brightstart Preschool registered in 2021, but has previously been registered since 2018. The setting is located in a church hall in Borough Green, Sevenoaks. The setting is open from 7.45am to 3pm on Monday and Friday, and from 7.45am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, term time only. The setting employs 12 members of staff, of whom two staff hold a level 6 qualification, three staff hold a level 3 qualification and two staff hold a level 2 qualification. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and fours years old.

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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 deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The deputy 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

14 June 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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