Bright Horizons Southborough Woodlands Preschool

Inspection of Bright Horizons Southborough Woodlands Preschool Church Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0RU

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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

Staff provide the children with a welcoming and engaging environment throughout the pre-school. They have very effective settling-in procedures in place. This helps children to become familiar with daily routines and form close relationships with staff. Children feel safe and happily investigate with their friends. For instance, the children take turns to build a tower using large blocks. There is great excitement as the children see how high they can build the tower before it tumbles. Staff skilfully incorporate mathematical language into children's play. For instance, the children are curious to determine who is taller than the tower.

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The provision is good

Outside play is a high priority at the pre-school. Staff understand the importance of providing children with space to take managed risks in their play. For example, staff encourage children to have a go and learn new skills, such as riding bicycles and balancing on beams. The children negotiate their way around objects as they develop an awareness of how their bodies move and the space around them. They enjoy playing games. For instance, they take turns to hide pictures of elephants around the garden, ready for their friends to find. Staff have a strong focus on children's well-being. They support them to build resilience and develop their physical skills.

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The provision is good

Staff make good use of props to engage children in story time. They encourage children to predict what will happen next in the story. For instance, children talk about which foods the caterpillar will eat next. Children gain a keen interest in literacy as they interact with books.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers are committed to supporting children and their families. They constantly evaluate their practice and strive to provide high-quality care and education for all. Staff have extensive online training opportunities and attend regular staff meetings. This helps them to develop their already good knowledge and skills. Staff work exceptionally well together and state that they feel valued and supported in their role. n The special educational needs coordinator works closely with staff, parents and other professionals to help support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. Staff make exceptional use of picture cards to help support children to communicate their needs and wants. This helps to build children's confidence in communicating with others. The staff have high expectations for children to help ensure that all children reach their full potential.

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need to do better?

n Positive relationships with parents are a definite strength of the pre-school. Staff ensure that parents receive regular communication. For instance, they upload

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need to do better?

20 March 2024 information onto the online application and have face-to-face discussions with parents. Staff encourage parents to share information with them, such as a trip to the dentist. Staff incorporate these events into the pre-school curriculum. As a result, children receive support to help them learn how to deal with different situations and the emotions they might feel. n Staff provide a focused curriculum based on children's next steps in learning. They offer children a wide range of child-focused and adult-led activities to engage children and develop their imagination. For instance, children make birthday cakes out of play dough. The staff help them to flatten the dough using a rolling pin. Children then cut the dough into shapes before placing it in a cake case. However, during some group activities, staff do not always make sure that there is a clear intent for children's learning. Consequently, an appropriate

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need to do better?

assessment of what the children have learned during some activities is uncertain. n Staff are good role models who help children to develop their social skills. The children are keen to interact with others and share and take turns. For instance, children offer their friends their scissors so that they can take turns cutting the play dough. Staff use praise effectively to recognise children's achievements. n Communication and language development is a strong focus at the pre-school. Staff ensure that children hear a rich variety of vocabulary to strengthen their language skills. For example, they talk to the children about the sweet and sour citrus fruit they are exploring in the water tray. However, at times, staff do not consistently give children enough time to think and respond to the questions they ask. For example, they provide the answer or move the conversation along too quickly before allowing children time to reply.

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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 staff's understanding of the curriculum intent so that their teaching focuses on what they want children to learn n provide children with more time to respond and think through their ideas to extend learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY283891 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10314178 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 66 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Bright Horizons Family Solutions Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01892 575441 Date of previous inspection 10 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Bright Horizons Southborough Woodlands Preschool registered in 2004. It is situated in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6.30pm, for most of the year. It receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre- school employs 22 members of staff, 14 of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. One member of staff holds a level 6 qualification.

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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 the pre-school curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education and carried out a joint observation with the manager in the outside play area. n The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector through face-to- face discussions and written testimonials. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

20 March 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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