Kiddiwinks Pre-school

Inspection of Kiddiwinks Pre-school Gillingham Methodist Church, 100 Third Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 2LU

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are greeted by kind and nurturing staff, and they feel settled when they arrive at this warm and friendly setting. They enter with confidence and know the routines, which have been well embedded. As soon as children arrive, they settle down to play seamlessly due to the well-planned environment, which meets their needs and inspires their interests.

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The provision is good

There is a strong focus on developing children's communication, supporting their resilience and their personal, social and emotional development. All staff understand the curriculum and know how to guide and support children's learning. This helps children to acquire positive attitudes towards their education, as they become inquisitive learners. For example, books are embedded throughout the environment. Children have developed a love of stories and regularly approach staff to read their favourites. They know that they can use books to find out more information.

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The provision is good

Staff manage children's behaviour effectively. They provide children with clear boundaries. This is further supported by staff understanding why behaviours may occur. For instance, they have recognised that children enjoy throwing and climbing. They have created a safe space for children to practise these skills and interests to keep themselves and others safe. Furthermore, simple visual prompts are used effectively to support children in making the right choices.

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need to do better?

n Staff think carefully about how they put the curriculum into action, and they create experiences for children based on their next steps in learning. For example, staff provide large-scale creative activities, which encourage children to use and refine their gross motor skills. Children show full independence over activities, selecting the resources that they need with ease. They show control over pouring paints into containers. These skills have been developed and embedded over time. n The environments, indoors and outside, promote children's development across the seven areas of learning. Outside, children show an eagerness to access the well-resourced space. They engage positively in physical activities. For example, they work collaboratively in the mud kitchen to fill containers and experiment with their ideas. Inside, children explore sensory trays with play dough, make 'birthday cakes' and explore size and quantity.

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need to do better?

n The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is well embedded. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a passion for her role. She ensures that children are monitored and that referrals are put into place quickly. She works alongside the children's key

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need to do better?

25 January 2024 person, parents and carers to ensure that next steps and plans are meeting the needs of each individual child. All children are making good progress from their starting points. n The setting has excellent links with the local community. Staff take time to get to know the children and their extended family. They know the need of the local area impeccably well. For example, staff educate children on the importance of oral hygiene. Each morning when children arrive, they place a bristle in the toothbrush if they have brushed their teeth that morning. This encourages conversations about the importance of oral hygiene and looking after their bodies. Due to the success of this initiative, the setting has shared and modelled this to other local settings. n Developing children's understanding of healthy lifestyles is a key focus for leaders. They have recently achieved an award, working alongside parents to

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need to do better?

support children in understanding the importance of a healthy diet. For instance, the staff hold regular cooking sessions with parents to teach them about diet and portion control. Parents praise the cooking classes and have commented on how this has helped them cook healthy meals on a budget at home. n The pre-school has an effective key-person system, and parents are aware of who their child's key person is. Staff understand their role in supporting children and developing relationships with them. However, the arrangements when key people are absent does not always support children in having their individual needs met by an adult who they have a secure relationship with. n The manager has ambition and strives to deliver the very best outcomes for children. A range of views from parents and other professionals support leaders to consider improvements. Regular room and peer observations are carried out,

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need to do better?

which then lead into professional development opportunities for staff. Staff feel supported in their roles and feel that their well-being is a priority.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements for supporting children's individual needs and helping them build secure relationships when their key person is absent.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103817 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10317210 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 39 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Kiddiwinks Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01634 581304 Date of previous inspection 2 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Kiddiwinks Pre-school registered in 1993. It operates from Gillingham Methodist Church hall in Gillingham, Kent. The pre-school employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of whom, nine hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 8.15am to 2.45pm. The pre-school 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 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 to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke to children to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager.

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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

25 January 2024 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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