Marden Pre-School Playgroup

Inspection of Marden Pre-School Playgroup Memorial Hall, Goudhurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 9JX

p.1

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

p.1

The provision is outstanding

The friendly and nurturing staff welcome children into a highly stimulating and creative environment. Children thrive while they gain skills and develop attitudes that provide them with a strong foundation for their future learning. Staff design a well-sequenced curriculum that is expertly tailored around children's interests and learning styles. This provides all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, with the opportunities they need to make significant progress in their learning.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff establish a supportive culture of mutual respect, honesty and collaboration with children and their families. This is reflected in the way children play cooperatively alongside one another, demonstrating an appreciation of their friends, the staff and the environment. For example, children listen carefully to one another during focused small-group activities. Staff politely remind them of the importance of waiting their turn to speak. This provides children with the skills they need to communicate effectively and to make strong friendships.

p.2

The provision is outstanding

Staff consistently go 'above and beyond' to provide children and families with the right support at the right time. For instance, when they see potential gaps in children's learning or well-being, they use additional funding to provide timely and well-researched interventions. This enriches the curriculum to boost children's health, welfare, skills and knowledge.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders demonstrate strong management skills. They provide staff with regular opportunities to increase their professional skills and knowledge. Staff demonstrate consistently high-quality interactions and teaching skills. They seamlessly work with other professionals and parents to make a difference in the lives and development of all children, including those with SEND. n Staff use children's interests to intently focus on key areas of learning, such as their physical, social and communication skills. For example, children's recent fascination with pets has been used to plan visits, introduce living animals into the environment and to enhance the role play area. By listening carefully to what children say, staff increase children's knowledge when they extend conversations about visiting a vet. Children grow in confidence when staff create stories with them, heightening their fun and learning. n Staff carefully monitor and assess children's progress. They adapt their plans to

p.2

need to do better?

build on what children know and can do. For example, they change the way children use the climbing frame to increase the physical challenge needed to successfully navigate across. This improves children's ability to practise and

p.2

need to do better?

9 May 2025 steadily improve their physical skills. n Staff design resources and activities that stimulate and fascinate children. For example, children excitedly guess how long it will take for water to move along a gulley or delight in matching animal pictures to the footprints the animal makes. Staff help children solve problems, such as making a vehicle stronger using construction toys. Children demonstrate high levels of perseverance, motivation and focus. n Staff develop children's positive attitudes to living a healthy lifestyle. They offer children nutritious foods and speak with them about making healthy choices. Children learn why they should exercise to keep their bodies strong and fit. For example, when they show an interest in gymnastics, staff make a safe space for them to practise. Staff ensure all children's emotional and physical needs are met to support their safety, health and well-being within the setting and at

p.2

need to do better?

home. Children develop self-confidence when they learn to be independent in taking care of their personal needs. n Parent partnerships are strong. Staff share children's progress reports, information and advice with parents to support children's learning. They are instrumental in helping parents find extra support they may need, such as accessing additional services. They respect parents and regard them as key to developing children's education at home. n Children develop a strong sense of self-identity. Staff value the diverse backgrounds of families and encourage them to share their cultures and traditions in the setting. Visitors speak to the children about their jobs, including working in roles that break with stereotypes. Staff promote inclusion and acceptance and find ways to help all children aspire to be responsible and helpful citizens of the future.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 127367 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10394603 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 74 Name of registered person Marden Pre - School Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01622 832857 Date of previous inspection 16 September 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Marden Pre-School Playgroup registered in 1969. It operates from the Memorial Hall in Marden, Kent. The pre-school is open each weekday during school term time only. It operates from 8.40am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 8.40am to 12.30pm on Friday. The provider receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are eight members of staff, of whom seven hold relevant early years qualifications from levels 2 to 3. One member of staff holds qualified teacher status.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working within the setting.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

9 May 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6