Nellies Pre-School

Inspection of Nellies Pre-School Shepway Youth And Community Centre, Cumberland Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7JN

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

All children are settled, confident and happy during their time at the welcoming pre-school. Staff encourage children to be independent. For example, children are confident to choose their own play and complete their own tasks, such as serving snacks and pouring drinks. Staff have made significant improvements since their last inspection. They now demonstrate a good knowledge of the curriculum and how they embed challenging activities effectively to support all children to make good progress. They understand where each child is in their development and plan motivating activities accordingly. Children are eager to learn. For example, staff teach them about the natural world. Children are keen to learn about volcanoes and build their own using construction equipment.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy bringing their imaginations to life. They become pirates and create their own maps to 'hunt for hidden treasure'. All staff are positive role models. Children are polite and behave well. They are kind to each other. For instance, children are understanding of other children's different abilities and needs. Staff teach children about the importance of healthy lifestyles. For instance, they discuss healthy foods during mealtimes. Children gain good physical skills. For example, they confidently and safely climb and balance on a wide range of equipment, such as climbing structures and tyres.

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need to do better?

n Staff establish positive relationships with children who feel safe in a secure and trusting environment. Children are confident and enjoy the company of staff and each other. For example, they are keen to initiate their own games with confidence. Children demonstrate this when they invite each other and staff to join them in making sure they don't 'fall in the lava' when engaging in volcano role play. n All staff support all children to make good progress. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, staff liaise closely with outside agencies, such as speech and language and occupational therapists. They implement helpful strategies that support children, including using visual timelines. Staff have implemented a 'dark den' and encourage children to access it if they feel overwhelmed. This helps children feel safe and calm and settle quickly into pre-school.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the manager and staff establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak highly of them. Staff keep them informed about the activities their children have been enjoying during their time at pre-school. However, there is less information shared with parents regarding their children's learning and individual next steps. Therefore, staff do not share enough information with parents to support children's learning at home even further.

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need to do better?

6 July 2023 n All children demonstrate a positive attitude towards their learning and, overall, they are engaged in their learning experiences. However, staff do not always organise large-group activities effectively to ensure that they successfully maintain the attention of all children throughout, particularly the youngest. n The manager closely monitors the good quality of education and care that staff provide. She regularly observes them teach children and provides them with constructive and helpful feedback. Staff evaluate their practice together and discuss daily what went well and what they would like to enhance further. They undertake weekly planning meetings to ensure that their planning and curriculum is implemented effectively. Staff use their findings to support their future activity plans. n All staff attend regular and beneficial training. They have recently learned about the different ways to manage children's behaviour consistently and effectively.

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need to do better?

This has helped staff to understand how to support children to express their feelings appropriately. As a result, children self-regulate their emotions maturely and behave well. n The manager and staff support children to gain a good understanding of other cultures and countries from around the world. For example, children learn about the festival and traditions of Hanukkah. n All staff support children to develop confident communication skills. Children have access to a language-enriched environment. Staff build on their range of vocabulary. For instance, they teach children the meaning of new words, such as eruption, when discussing volcanos.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a secure and confident knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. They are confident of the signs and symptoms of abuse, and know who to contact to seek advice and how to manage any safeguarding issues. Staff ensure that all children are safe and secure and only leave the premises with an authorised adult. Staff teach children how to keep themselves and each other safe. For example, children are confident to discuss the rules about crossing the road safely.

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should:

n strengthen the communication with parents about how they can further support their children's leaning at home n support staff to be more aware of the organisation of their larger group times to ensure that all children, particularly the youngest, remain fully engaged in their learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496537 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10267124 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Nellies Pre School LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 07597488369 Date of previous inspection 18 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Nellies Pre-School registered in 2015. It is located in Shepway Youth And Community Centre in Maidstone, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 2pm, term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs four members of staff, three of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. 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 The inspector reviewed written documentation. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the manager, 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

6 July 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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