St Mary's Under 5's Preschool

Inspection of St Mary's Under 5's Preschool St Mary's Under 5's Preschool, Recreation Ground, London Road, GREENHITHE, Kent DA9 9DQ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff provide a caring environment and promote children's learning well. All children receive strong support from staff, who have positive relationships with them and their families. Children are happy and settled and actively engage with the resources and the adults supporting them. The children enthusiastically join in with the well-planned group activities. For example, three- and four-year-old children giggle with staff when doing a group exercise activity to music.

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The provision is good

Staff teach the children independence skills in a calm and natural way, and they provide clear direction. Even children who have joined the pre-school very recently show that they are comfortable in the setting and familiar with the routines. For example, children are happy to join the snack table and wait their turn. They enjoy helping themselves to food and drinks and independently wash their hands well.

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The provision is good

The children confidently interact with other children and staff. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective. Staff work hard to develop strong connections with all the children. They liaise effectively with specialist professionals and parents. They actively collaborate to get additional help for individual children. This supports all children to make good progress.

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need to do better?

n The current leadership arrangements are new but have already had a significant positive impact. Leaders engage well with staff, who report feeling supported and have improved access to training opportunities. Leaders are competent and strong and have a clear vision for the curriculum and care provided in the pre- school. n The curriculum is successfully designed to provide children with the knowledge and skills they need to move on to the next stage of their education. The curriculum for children with SEND is particularly well thought out and ambitious. All children receive the support they need to reach their full potential, including those who progress beyond their expected milestones. n Communication within the pre-school is good. All staff effectively exchange relevant information to ensure that the individual children's needs are understood by those who work directly with them. n There are well-thought-out strategies to promote children's behaviour and social

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need to do better?

skills. Staff consistently act as positive role models for the children. They continuously reinforce good manners and model the behavioural expectations. This creates a calm environment, where children are kind and make good friends. Children happily share resources and take turns. Staff skilfully design small-group activities so quieter children benefit from interacting with more confident children.

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need to do better?

5 March 2025 n The staff model language well and consistently give children time to answer questions and repeat key vocabulary. Parents comment on how well their children's communication and language have developed since attending the pre- school. Children contribute well during small-group situations, however, there are fewer opportunities to listen and concentrate in a larger group to build on the skills they will need in preparation for starting school. n Staff provide children with daily opportunities to be physically active. Children enjoy activities combining music, song and movement. Toddlers are provided with a softer space to explore more risk-taking physical activity. They access this well and it helps develop their gross motor skills and promotes self-confidence. n Staff effectively promote children's understanding of the world. The whole pre- school frequently visit the adjacent park where, in addition to physical play, they

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need to do better?

learn about nature through exciting activities, such as bug hunts. Staff encourage parents to share cultural events particular to their family and background. The pre-school marks these events, often with food provided by the parents. n Leaders have effective systems in place to communicate with parents and share information about the children's development and learning. Parents praise the staff team and comment on how well they know their child's key person, and how highly the staff prioritise getting to know each child individually.

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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 enhance the opportunities for children to develop their listening and concentration skills in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY420241 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10388246 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 40 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person St Marys Under Fives Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01322275442 Date of previous inspection 3 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

St Mary's Under 5's Preschool registered in 1980. It is located in Greenhithe in Kent. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.15pm, term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are six members of staff who work with the children, all of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to children, parents and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector looked at records relating to suitability checks and discussed these with the manager.

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Inspection activities

5 March 2025 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

5 March 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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