Egerton Pre-School (Kent)

Inspection of Egerton Pre-School (Kent) Millenium Hall, Elm Close, Egerton, Kent TN27 9DS

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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

Children arrive at this warm and welcoming pre-school, eager to see the staff and their friends. They foster strong bonds with all staff members, who encourage them to independently learn familiar routines, such as hanging up their belongings. The children have access to a wide range of resources and activities both within and beyond the premises. They benefit from an engaging learning environment in the large, airy hall and also enjoy visits into the local community. For instance, they visit the 'pop-up Post Office' to mail letters, explore the changing seasons in the local apple orchard, and practise their physical abilities at the nearby playground.

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The provision is good

Children delight in listening to staff members read books, fostering a passion for stories and the discovery of facts within the text. For example, staff introduce children to specialised vocabulary related to lifecycles, including terms like 'froglet' and 'frogspawn'. This curiosity about nature continues outdoors, where children explore and learn about various creatures, such as millipedes. Staff guide the children in handling the creatures with care and placing them back into safe environments, teaching them compassion and respect for all forms of life.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children well. They understand their individual interests and plan exciting activities around these, which support children in becoming engaged in their learning. Staff are positive role models. They encourage children to develop friendships and good social skills. There is a strong focus across the nursery on supporting children to share and take-turns. Staff implement strategies that enable children to resolve their own disagreements. Children learn consideration and respect for other's feelings. n Children demonstrate a growing vocabulary. Staff introduce new words to children as they play and learn. They ask open-ended questions to encourage children to reply using their own words. Staff speak clearly and slowly to children, modelling the correct pronunciation of words to children as they play. Children who find communication difficult, such as those with English as an additional language or with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make

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need to do better?

good progress. n Children participate in well-established daily routines, such as those during adult- led group sessions. Some staff members acknowledge when children are distracted and help them to focus and participate. However, there are times during the day when staff fail to consistently recognise opportunities to apply their practice, to enhance children's learning and development. n Children enjoy purposefully planned activities. For example, staff allow children to explore the concept of floating and sinking. They learn how to fold paper to make a boat which they investigate in the water. Other children are supported to

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need to do better?

17 June 2024 watch their cars travel down some guttering pipe, and make predictions about how fast or slow the toys might go. Children are highly enthusiastic and interested in these engaging opportunities. n The curriculum has a strong focus on teaching children about the community in which they live. Children learn about the similarities and differences between each other, and what makes them unique. This gives children a sense of belonging. However, staff have not thought enough about how the environment fully reflects different cultures on an everyday basis. This does not ensure children are always exposed to the wider world, within the pre-school. n Parents are very complimentary about the pre-school and staff. They fully appreciate the efforts of staff to support their child and family. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure they always offer the best support for each child. In addition, they make close links with the nearby

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need to do better?

primary school, to ensure a smooth transition in the next stage of children's educational journey. n The leaders work tirelessly to review and improve nursery procedures and strive for good quality provision. The manager ensures staff access and attend a range of training opportunities to improve their practice and knowledge. This builds on staff members' strengths and supports their confidence and value within the team.

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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 improve the consistency of their interactions and good practice with children n strengthen ways to introduce children to other communities and diversity to help them begin to understand more about the wider world.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2773200 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10349762 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 26 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Egerton Pre-School (Kent) CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 07391181248 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Egerton Pre-school registered in 2024 and is run by a committee. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 8.45am and 2.45pm during term time only. There are seven members of staff who work with the children. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, and one who holds qualified teacher status. 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 pre-school 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 provider. n The Manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure it is safe and suitable. 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 Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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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

17 June 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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