Playaway Preschool

Inspection of Playaway Preschool Cage Green CP School, Cage Green Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 4PT

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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

Staff provide a caring and nurturing environment. They greet children warmly on arrival at the setting and take time to listen to what the children are eager to tell them. Staff provide a wide range of activities that captivates children's interests. Children settle quickly and swiftly engage in their play alongside their peers. For example, they show pride in their achievements as they manipulate dough into different shapes. They are creative, attentive and show good control as they practise new skills, such as how to use scissors. This helps to develop their small hand muscles in preparation for their future writing. Children show kindness and consideration to others. They listen to the ideas of their friends as they discuss the models they are making.

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The provision is good

Children know their routines well. They come together for group time and confidently engage in discussions. They tidy up toys before their lunch and independently put on their own coats ready for outdoor play.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from plenty of opportunities to be physically active. They access the garden throughout each day, and thoroughly enjoy climbing and balancing over play equipment. Children explore different textures with interest and are encouraged by staff to talk about how these feel. This helps to build on their growing vocabulary and language skills.

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need to do better?

n The dedicated manager and her enthusiastic staff team have worked hard and made significant improvement since the last inspection. The curriculum places a high priority on developing children's communication and language skills. Staff model new words and ask children questions to test their understanding and to develop conversations. Children thoroughly enjoy looking at books with staff. They confidently recall stories, the characters and the adventures they get up to. n The manager supports her staff team well. She is kind, sensitive and very attuned to their well-being and professional development needs. She uses supervision and monitoring to support staff practice and offers them continual training. Staff describe how they work well together as a team, and how they benefit from working closely with the manager. n Staff build strong relationships with parents. They offer them home visits, which helps them get to know families and children as unique individuals. They gather

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need to do better?

detailed information on children's existing abilities and on their care and welfare needs, and use this data to help form initial assessments. Parents say that they are very happy with the good level of communication they receive daily. They appreciate the detailed information staff provide on their child's on-going development and the tips for supporting learning at home.

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need to do better?

17 November 2023 n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well. They monitor children's progress closely and have developed close partnerships with other professionals to help ensure that children receive the support they need. n Staff make regular observations and assessments of children's abilities and have a good understanding of what children know and can do. However, some staff do not use each child's individual assessment information to plan precisely and consistently focus teaching on what children need to learn next. n Staff manage children's behaviour well. They are patient, speak calmly and ensure that children have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Staff spend time teaching children how to express and manage their feelings. n Children have good opportunities to learn about the similarities and differences in people. For example, they celebrate and learn about religions, cultures and

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need to do better?

family backgrounds that are different to their own. n Staff promote children's good health well, overall. For example, children benefit from nutritious snacks each day and know that eating healthy food will help them to grow 'big and strong'. Staff engage children in discussion about foods that are good for teeth and those that may lead to tooth decay. Children follow instructions and know to wash their hands before eating. However, staff do not consistently remind children about the importance of preventing cross- contamination when they cough.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know when and where to refer a concern about a child in their care. Staff undertake daily checks of the premises to help identify and remove any potential hazards. This helps to ensure that the environment is safe for children to play in. Staff are deployed well and supervise children at all times. Robust recruitment procedures are in place. This includes doing background checks to help deem staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n use information from assessment to precisely plan and target teaching on what children need to learn next n continue to build on children's understanding of how to manage their personal hygiene needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY557921 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10262069 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 25 Name of registered person Barnes, Marian Dawn

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reference number

Telephone number 07833132302 Date of previous inspection 24 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Playaway Preschool registered in 2018 and is located in Tonbridge, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 2pm, term time only. The pre- school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are six members of staff, of whom four hold qualifications at level 3 and one at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about her curriculum and what she wants children to learn. n The inspector observed the implementation of the curriculum during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n The inspection took into account the feedback received from parents.

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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

17 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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