Buttons ABC Preschool

Inspection of Buttons ABC Preschool Archbishop Courtenay Primary School, Eccleston Road, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6QN

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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

All children are confident and very happy during their time in the friendly and welcoming nursery. Staff have a good knowledge of their curriculum and how to implement this successfully. They have high expectations of children's abilities and carefully plan challenging and motivating activities to engage them. For example, children learn about the concept of volume and quantity as they pour and fill containers during water play. Children are excited to bring their imagination to life. For instance, they giggle as they act out being a witch with staff 'flying' on a 'broomstick'. Children learn about the different ways to be creative. This includes exploring interesting ways of making art, such as marble painting and drawing self- portraits.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models. All children behave well and are polite. They are caring and demonstrate empathy. For example, they show kindness and understanding of other children's different needs. Children learn about the importance of healthy lifestyles. For instance, staff encourage children to talk about healthy food choices and the importance of brushing their teeth. Children develop good physical skills and learn to move in different ways. This is demonstrated when they confidently and safely use age-appropriate climbing and balancing equipment. Children share their ideas and thoughts, and have confident communication skills, which are well supported by staff.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff know all children well and get to know their individual personalities, needs and abilities. This includes knowing their likes and dislikes. All Staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children. This helps children to settle quickly into the setting and enjoy the company of staff. They seek out staff to initiate hugs and invite them into their play. For example, children laugh as they happily brush staff's hair in the 'hairdressers'. n Staff support all children to make good progress. This includes those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, staff liaise closely with other agencies, such as occupational therapists. They share and implement useful strategies that support children in a consistent way. n The manager and staff establish positive partnerships with parents, who speak very highly of them. They comment that staff go 'above and beyond' and are

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need to do better?

dedicated and passionate about providing care for both children and them as families. Staff keep parents well informed about their children, what they have been doing, and their next steps in their learning. Staff share helpful ideas with parents to help support their children's learning at home. This includes providing information on the benefits of messy play activities. n Children show that they have a positive attitude towards their learning and,

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need to do better?

22 April 2024 overall, they are engaged in their experiences. However, staff do not always recognise when they can minimise the length of large-group activities and better manage the transitions between activities. For example, staff do not always recognise when large-group times go on for too long and children lose interest. n Overall, children are engaged in their learning opportunities and staff interact with them positively. Staff supervise children well and always work within the required ratio, which means that children are always safe. However, at times, staff do not promptly recognise when some children would benefit from more guidance and interaction. n The manager closely monitors the quality of care and teaching that staff provide. Staff evaluate together as a team. They reflect daily on what went well and what could be done differently next time. Staff have regular discussions about their

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need to do better?

performance and use constructive feedback to support their future practice. The quality of provision is continually improving. n All staff attend regular and beneficial training. They have recently learned about the different ways to support children who speak English as an additional language. This has helped staff to understand how to further support these children. For example, they learn words in other languages and use visual prompts to support their communication. Staff support children to gain a good understanding of other cultures from around the world. For instance, children learn about the way that people in Romania traditionally celebrate Easter.

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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 support staff to be more aware of the organisation of staff deployment during changes in routine and large-group activities to ensure that all children remain fully engaged throughout n build on staff's confidence to promptly recognise when to support children who may need additional guidance to engage in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2653673 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10332972 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 28 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Spurgeons

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reference number

Telephone number 01622754666 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Buttons ABC Preschool registered in 2021. It is located in Maidstone, Kent. The setting is open from Monday to Friday, 8.45am until 3.15pm, during term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs nine members of staff, eight of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 and above. This includes four staff who are qualified at level 3, one at level 5, and one at level 6.

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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 ongoing impact of the 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 with children and the learning opportunities that they provide for 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. The inspector reviewed parents' written feedback. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation on a planned water activity that focused on supporting children to develop their interest in

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Inspection activities

mathematics and build on their social skills.

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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

22 April 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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