Godinton Playschool

Inspection of Godinton Playschool Godinton Village Hall, Loudon Way, Ashford TN23 3JJ

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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

Staff welcome children with a smile at this friendly setting. Children come in happily. They eagerly find their name cards and post them in the post box to show that they are here. They excitedly explore the activities on offer, remaining engaged and interested in creating their own firework pictures. These encourage positive attitudes to their learning. Staff promote children's independence successfully. Children put on their own coats and shoes and wipe their own faces after lunch, putting the tissues in the bin. This supports children's understanding of how to manage their own needs and keep themselves healthy and safe.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a well-planned curriculum tailored to their individual needs and interests. For example, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff have undertaken specific training in sign language to ensure that children make good progress. Children who were non- verbal when they started are now confident communicators. Staff have high expectations of children. They praise and encourage them, celebrating their achievements by giving them a 'high-five' when they succeed. This successfully develops their good behaviour. Staff promote children's well-being. Children record their friends' acts of kindness and put them on the 'kindness tree' for everyone to see. This develops their self-esteem and confidence effectively.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers are passionate about ensuring that the playschool is at the heart of the local community. They have ambitious plans for the future of the setting. They want to invest further in the outdoor space to develop children's understanding of the natural world. Leaders and managers access good support from the local authority to support their own knowledge and skills. n Staff use additional funding effectively to support children's learning. For instance, they have created a lending library, so they can share books with children and their families. Children delight in choosing favourite stories to take home. They develop a love of books and reading. n Leaders and managers prioritise staff's well-being. They help and support them. For example, leaders and managers help to complete housing applications and provide advice and guidance. Staff say that they love working at the setting and feel valued by current leaders and managers. They are hardworking and

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need to do better?

committed. However, arrangements for supervision sessions are not fully effective in identifying staff's specific professional development needs. n Staff promote children's literacy skills well. Children sustain high levels of concentration when making their own pictures at the craft table. They chat and talk with staff and each other, sharing what they have made. Staff hold thoughtful conversations with children. These help to develop their language

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need to do better?

2 November 2023 skills well. n Children benefit from staff who know them well. Staff plan activities based on children's needs and interests. For example, children delight in looking for the pet squirrel outside and recording when they have seen it. They enjoy exploring puddles and talking with staff about how they are made. This encourages children's knowledge and understanding. n Partnerships with parents are positive. Parents appreciate the events they are invited to and the caring nature of the staff. They report that their children have made progress in their confidence, friendships and language. Staff communicate well with parents. They share ideas to help them with their children's learning at home. For example, children enjoy taking home Bongo the Bear and recording his adventures. n Staff provide children with a range of additional sessions, such as gymnastics and yoga, to support their wider learning. Children know the routines well. They

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need to do better?

quickly join in with an obstacle course, learning how to warm up and feel their heart rate. This supports their understanding of how their bodies work and of healthy lifestyles. n Children benefit from a language-rich environment. Staff support children well to join in with songs and rhymes. They are good role models. They demonstrate actions to new rhymes and are patient and kind in their approach. Children enjoy joining in with their favourite rhymes, which encourage their listening and attention skills.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers ensure that they know what to do if they have concerns about children or staff. They ensure that they access effective external support and follow appropriate advice and guidance. Staff have secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They undertake regular risk assessments and encourage children to keep themselves safe. For example, staff remind children to take care when going down the steps outside. Leaders and managers have safer recruitment processes in place. They ensure that no unvetted visitors are left alone with children.

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should:

n strengthen supervision arrangements to focus more effectively on staff's ongoing professional development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2640253 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10317766 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 30 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Godinton Playschool C.I.C.

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reference number

Telephone number 07982829678 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Godinton Playschool registered in 2021. It is located in Ashford, Kent. The playschool employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold relevant qualifications at level 3. The playschool opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 9am to 2pm. The playschool provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises with the manager. n The manager and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The manager spoke to the inspector about children's learning and development, with a particular focus on communication and language. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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.

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Inspection activities

n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

2 November 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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