In2play Outdoor Pre-School

Inspection of In2play Outdoor Pre- School Hastings Adventure Playground, Broomgrove Road, Hastings TN34 3FW

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Leaders are highly ambitious. They show an unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest possible outcomes for all children. Experienced staff deliver exceptional teaching moments that support each child's individual needs very successfully. The curriculum is expertly constructed to ignite and instil a deep love of learning. Staff place children's emotional well-being at the heart of its provision. The well- established rhythm of the day is predictable and unhurried. Children take responsibility for small tasks, make choices about their play and show impressive confidence in managing their own personal needs. Staff form exceptionally warm and trusting relationships with children. They empower children to assess risks and build their confidence through trial and error. Children display impressive levels of concentration and perseverance as they master new skills with great determination. Their enthusiasm to follow their own ideas is limitless.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is expertly managed by staff. They sensitively help children to understand and express their feelings. Staff model an ethos that supports respect, kindness and teamwork. Children display exemplary behaviour and develop a strong sense of friendship. They cooperate willingly on tasks with their friends. For example, children design an elaborate obstacle course together. They place great care and attention on safety as they carry large planks together. They listen to each other's ideas attentively and maturely negotiate and agree on the design. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are incredibly well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff have designed a curriculum that is highly focused on providing children with the knowledge and skills to deepen their learning. Staff are experts at identifying the knowledge children need to learn next. They introduce new learning clearly and embed this seamlessly into daily practice. There are ample opportunities for children to apply new knowledge or practise new skills. Children learn a great deal in a short time. They quickly become self-motivated learners who show remarkedly positive attitudes to learning. n Leaders have fostered a culture of excellence, where staff receive high-quality ongoing professional development to enhance their skills and maintain the highest standard of teaching. Leaders manage staff workload effectively. All staff, including staff new to a career in childcare, are dedicated and highly motivated. Their commitment is evident in their ambition for all children.

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need to do better?

n Leaders' dedication to ensuring that all children have equal opportunities to succeed is commendable. Additional funding is used exceptionally well to enhance the quality of children's experiences, such as through the provision of one-to-one teaching, as required. Strong links with external agencies mean that

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need to do better?

29 January 2025 children's needs are quickly identified, and additional support is secured. Cultural diversity is celebrated through stories, festivals and activities that promote children's understanding and respect for different backgrounds and traditions. n Impressive attention is given to supporting children's personal development. The curriculum is enriched with opportunities that develop children's understanding of sustainability, respect for nature and healthy lifestyles. Children become amateur mycologists, showing an impressive understanding of the different mushrooms and fungi they see growing. Staff promote children's creativity and curiosity successfully, as they support children to make their own binoculars. Together, they identify and name common garden birds. In addition, children enjoy healthy snacks and carefully cut slices of fruit or pour their own drinks. n Staff are specialists in promoting children's early communication. Children are

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need to do better?

immersed in a language-rich environment that supports their early language development very well. Staff model high-quality language, introduce new vocabulary in meaningful contexts and encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas. Children develop a love for books through extensive access to a selection of high-quality literature. They relish opportunities to take part in daily engaging sessions, including musical accompaniment or poetry readings. n Staff actively promote risk-taking. Children enjoy uninterrupted time where they engage in challenging play activities outdoors. Staff encourage children to assess and take age-appropriate risks through activities, such as tree climbing or using real tools under supervision. Children relish opportunities to jump safely from wooden structures or to roast marshmallows over a fire pit on a cold day. These well-managed risky play opportunities help children develop quickly in

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need to do better?

confidence, foster independence and support effective decision making. Children develop high levels of self-belief in their own abilities. n Leadership is innovative and forward thinking. They hold a highly accurate view of their own performance, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. For example, leaders have secured additional funding to improve the outdoor premises further, through the addition of a pond and areas for cultivation. Plans to extend the service further include trips to local beaches and places of historical interest to provide children with a deeper appreciation for the local community. n Leaders and staff develop trusting and purposeful partnerships with parents. Parents gain a wealth of information on their children's achievements. They are empowered to support their children's learning at home and take part in exciting initiatives, such as the provision of fun play sessions for families at the weekend.

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need to do better?

Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the quality of the provision. They identify staff's unfaltering dedication as a key strength.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY554127 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10371096 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 30 Number of children on roll 61 Name of registered person In 2 Play CIC

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reference number

Telephone number 07967750837 Date of previous inspection 5 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

In2play Outdoor Pre-School registered in 2017. It operates from Hastings Adventure Playground, Hastings, East Sussex. The pre-school operates from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. Additional sessions include an early start session from 8.30am and later pick up session to 3.30pm. Funding is accepted for the provision of early years education for children aged two, three and four years. A team of 10 members of staff work with the children. Of these, one staff member holds early years teacher status, two staff members are qualified to degree level, and one holds a foundation degree in early years. Three members of staff are qualified to level 3, one member of staff holds a level 2 qualification and one apprentice is currently completing a level 2 qualification. The pre-school promotes an ethos of outdoor learning.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed how staff implement the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on the children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation. n The inspectors held a meeting with the provider and the manager. They reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector accompanied the children on a safety walk and gathered their views.

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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

29 January 2025 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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