River Pre-School

Inspection of River Pre-School River Methodist Church Hall, Common Lane, Dover, Kent CT17 0RA

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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

Children thoroughly enjoy the time they spend playing and interacting with staff. They confidently explore the broad range of activities and resources that are purposefully organised to reflect their interests and needs. For example, staff place sensory activities close to the door to capture the interest of children who are reluctant to separate from their parents. Children also make extremely good use of the inviting reading area and well-equipped home corner. With the support of staff, children become motivated, independent learners. They work together to create complex role play games and enjoy the freedom to relax and look at books with a friend.

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The provision is good

Children confidently use their evolving language to share information from home or to express their ideas. Throughout the pre-school, children learn to conduct lively back-and-forth conversations. They develop good social skills as they play cooperatively with others and learn to share and take turns. Staff place a lot of focus on supporting children's emotional well-being. For example, they make sure that each child understands what is going to happen next in the pre-school routine. This helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to feel secure.

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need to do better?

n The committee and management team share a clear aim to offer high-quality care and education to all children. Staff work together very efficiently as a team, sharing relevant information easily. Staff benefit from regular supervision meetings and opportunities to attend training to enhance their skills and knowledge. For example, they have recently used knowledge gained from training to more effectively promote all children's social interactions at lunchtime. n The support for children with SEND is very effective. Managers and staff develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of individual children. They work effectively with parents and other relevant professionals. This enables staff to ensure that each child's needs are considered well in the organisation of routines and in the planning of activities. Additional funding is spent carefully to enhance the experiences of the child for whom it is intended.

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need to do better?

n Overall, staff plan a broad, interesting and suitably challenging curriculum. However, the focus on promoting children's artistic skills is not as consistently strong as other areas of learning. There are limited opportunities for children to explore different art materials and media and to create freely expressive artwork. In other respects, children's creativity is encouraged well. Staff provide good encouragement for children to use their imaginations and to make music. n Staff provide a well-considered programme of physical activities. Children have use of outdoor spaces where they can run and use ride-on toys. They also have

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need to do better?

29 April 2025 regular access to space in the neighbouring school, where they engage in more challenging active play. Indoors, children very enthusiastically join in daily music and movement activities. Over time, they develop good coordination and control. n Staff very successfully support children to develop a love of books. Children concentrate for long periods as they sit with staff and enjoy a shared reading experience. Staff also organise events to promote children's understanding of the world. For example, children visit older members of the local community to sing songs. n There are effective arrangements to promote children's health. Staff provide nutritious snacks and are vigilant in monitoring children's allergies and dietary restrictions. Children receive the support they need to develop good personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents feed back positively about the

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need to do better?

progress their children make. They say that their children are very happy to attend. Staff share regular information with parents through daily discussion, written records and regular meetings.

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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 strengthen the curriculum for expressive arts and design to allow children to benefit from the same high-quality opportunities as for all other areas of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127500 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10388380 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person River Pre-School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01304 449302 Date of previous inspection 9 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

River Pre-School is run by a committee and registered in 1992. It is located in the village of River, near Dover. The pre-school is open during term time, Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 2.45pm. There are eight staff, all of whom hold early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke with the chair of the pre-school committee, the manager and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The views of children and parents were sought and taken into account. n The manager and inspector discussed the organisation of the pre-school and the aims to promote children's learning. n The inspector observed the interaction of staff and children during a range of activities, indoors and outdoors. n A range of relevant documentation was viewed.

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Inspection activities

29 April 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

29 April 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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