Teston & Wateringbury Preschool

Inspection of Teston & Wateringbury Preschool Teston Village Hall, Church Street, Maidstone ME18 5AH

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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

On arrival children are happy and are keen to begin their day. They are warmly welcomed by the dedicated staff team who know them well. Staff offer a range of engaging activities that capture the children's interest. For example, children are keen to experiment with pipette's and paint brushes to investigate colour mixing. Staff know the children well and have formed secure attachments. Children have good levels of well-being.

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The provision is good

The curriculum consistently expands on children's existing knowledge and skills. Currently, there is an emphasis on developing children's independence, communication and language as well as their personal, social, and emotional development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Consistent strategies are in place and used effectively to ensure all children are included and have their individual needs met. All children are making good progress from their starting points.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, they have respect for each other and their environment. The free flow opportunities allow children to have space, and the freedom to choose where they would prefer to play. Staff are good role models; they spend time playing alongside children and are consistent with their approaches to expected behaviour. Children are provided with the skills to successfully solve small disagreements on their own.

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need to do better?

n The provider has a clear vision of what they want children to achieve during their time at pre-school and why this is important, all staff share the same ambition and understand the curriculum intentions. The provider offers staff good quality support and training opportunities to further their professional development. Staff receive regular one-on-one time with the provider to discuss their well-being and workloads, as a result staff feel well supported and work exceptionally well together as a team. n Teaching across the pre-school is good. Staff know the children well, and suitable adaptations are made to support all children to feel included and access the curriculum. For example, the staff liaise well with outside agencies to get support and advice on how to help bridge gaps in children's development. When approaches are introduced to support children such as, the use of visual prompts, all staff are consistent in embedding this in practice. This provides

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need to do better?

consistency for children and supports their well-being. n Staff fully support all children to develop a love of books and a passion for reading. Staff use a focus book to inspire an array of learning opportunities for children. They introduce children to new vocabulary and prompt conversations to

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need to do better?

11 February 2025 extend children's understanding of the stories they hear. Children demonstrate their understanding as they recall parts of favourite books in great detail. Furthermore, staff are keen to work in partnership with parents to ensure this passion for stories continues at home by sharing books. n Generally, the routines of the day work well, and children show sustained levels of involvement at activities that interest them. However, at times, staff do not plan their focused group times and ensure that daily routines are well coordinated to fully support all children's continued attention, engagement and learning. n The provider is dedicated to developing secure connections with parents and their extended families. The efficient settling procedures enable both parents and children to establish strong relationships with the staff from the outset. Staff regularly share information about what children are doing and learning, and their

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need to do better?

next steps in development to enable parents to continue learning at home. The organisation of transitions further supports this. For example, when children are leaving for school, the setting invites teachers into the setting, and meetings are held regarding how to best support children with SEND. n Children's physical development is supported well. Children are provided with fun and challenging activities to support their fine motor development. For example, they use tennis balls with slits in to pick up objects to support their co-ordination and hand control and use paintbrushes to make marks in sand. Furthermore, opportunities such as riding tricycles and assault courses encourage children to balance. This provides support for children to develop their core muscles and physical strength. n Children benefit from trips to places such as, the church, park and farm shop. This supports children to learn more about the world around them and people in

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need to do better?

their community. Furthermore, staff are keen to learn about children's cultures, faiths and religions and how this can be shared. For example, recent learning about Chinese New Year prompted children to learn more about China, and its location on the world map.

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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 put's children's interests first.

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should:

n support staff to effectively plan routines and group times to ensure children's continued listening, attention and engagement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY541518 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10380874 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 24 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Teston And Wateringbury Preschool CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 07805 796353 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Teston & Wateringbury Preschool registered in 2017. It is situated in the village of Teston, near Maidstone in Kent. It is open five days a week from 8:30am to 2.30pm during school term times only. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school employs seven members of staff. Four of whom hold qualifications at level 3 and two who have qualified teacher status.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n Parents and grandparents 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

11 February 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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