The Castle Pre-School

Inspection of The Castle Pre-School Garden Lodge, Whitstable Castle, Whitstable CT5 2BW

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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

All children are confident and very happy during their time in the friendly and welcoming pre-school. Children enjoy the company of staff. For example, they seek them out for reassurance and praise. All staff have a good understanding of the curriculum that they successfully implement. Staff build on children's interests well, and children enjoy challenging activities. For example, when they have an interest in building, they use sand and water to make 'cement' for building large structures. Children measure each other, and staff teach them about the concept of measurements as they compare heights.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models. All children behave well and are polite. Staff teach children about the different ways they can move as they develop good physical skills. For example, children safely climb and balance and participate in activities, such as modern dance and football. Children gain good communication skills. They are confident to communicate their thoughts and ideas, and they answer thought provoking-questions with confidence. Staff teach children about the importance of caring for the environment and the world around them. For instance, children go on regular beach trips to carry out litter-picking activities. Children learn about the tide and how to stay safe around water.

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need to do better?

n All staff establish secure and trusting relationships with children. They know their needs and abilities well and plan accordingly. This helps them to engage children in activities that they know will motivate them to learn. n The managers and staff have a good understanding of their broad curriculum and children's next steps in their learning. All children have a positive attitude towards their learning and make good progress. This includes those who speak English as an additional language. n Staff ensure that their practice is diverse and inclusive. All children learn about other people's communities, backgrounds and traditions from around the world. For example, children learn key words, such as 'toilet' in Italian. They learn about the traditional dishes from other countries. This is demonstrated when children bake Italian pizzas. n Staff are dedicated to supporting children with special educational needs and/or

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need to do better?

disabilities. Staff work closely alongside other agencies, such as Portage. They share and implement useful strategies. For example, staff have successfully introduced a dark den to encourage children to use it when they feel overwhelmed. n Overall, all children are engaged in their learning experiences. However, at times, staff are not quick to identify children who would benefit from adult interaction. Children are generally very happy and confident. However, staff are

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need to do better?

20 September 2024 not always aware when it would be appropriate to step in to support a child to choose or join in an activity. n All staff have a secure knowledge of all areas of learning. They use some good ways to support children to develop skills to support their future learning. This includes encouraging children to use and understand mathematical language as they play. However, children are not consistently encouraged to problem solve and complete the task that they are capable of. For example, staff open children's lunch boxes and pour their drinks. Therefore, children do not consistently have opportunities to build on their skills to support their future learning with more independence. n The managers and staff establish positive relationships with parents, who speak very highly of them. They comment that the staff are special, magical ladies who provide a wonderful environment. Staff keep parents well informed about their

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need to do better?

children's day and their next steps in learning. Staff share helpful ideas with parents, such as healthy eating ideas. n The managers closely monitor the quality of care and teaching that staff provide. Staff evaluate together as a team. They reflect regularly about what has worked and what has the potential to be better. The managers are mindful of the staff's well-being and ensure that their workload is manageable. All staff feel valued and supported. n Staff carry out regular training, reading and research, and they implement their findings. Staff have recently learned about how to engage boys in play. As a result, all boys are engaged and make good progress.

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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 vigilant of children that would benefit from adult interaction to further encourage their enjoyment in learning n enhance the support for children to complete tasks they are capable of with more independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY535662 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10363798 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person The Castle Pre-School Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01227 277878 Date of previous inspection 9 January 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Castle Pre-School registered in 2016. It is located in Whitstable, Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm, term time only. The setting provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs eight members of staff, seven of whom hold relevant early years qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a learning walk with one of the managers. The inspector assessed the impact of the quality of staff interactions and the learning opportunities they provide children. n The inspector viewed the indoor and outdoor learning environments. n The managers shared written documentation for the inspector to review. This included safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. n The inspector spoke to the managers, children, parents and staff at convenient times and considered their views. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation during the lunchtime routine.

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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 September 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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