Swanley Kindergarten Pre-School

Inspection of Swanley Kindergarten Pre-School Christ Church Centre, Kingswood Avenue, Swanley, Kent BR8 8AN

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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

Children arrive to the setting eager to explore the welcoming and inviting environment. A number of indoor and outdoor activities are on offer to immediately grab their attention. Younger children are supported by staff to feel safe and secure and settle down quickly, and all children are well cared for. The environment is calm as they move around to explore their interests. Staff are intentional about what is on offer, and for that reason children are engaged from the outset. Staff are extremely skilful in how they communicate with children, and story times draw them in. They hold the children's attention as they anticipate what is going to happen next in the story.

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The provision is good

Children are very secure in the routines, behave well and know what is expected of them. Strong relationships with their key persons are established, and children are able to play cooperatively with them. Older children are able to share and take turns, building solid friendships with their peers. Staff constantly praise the children and model behaviour that they expect. The children are also supported in developing an understanding of what is healthy and what is not, as a balanced diet is provided at snack times and lunchtimes.

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The provision is good

Older children are making excellent progress as they prepare for the transition to primary school. The 'rising fives' session is well thought out, providing further opportunities for literacy and numeracy skills development. They are also encouraged to be independent in self-care and can express their views or opinions about moving on.

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need to do better?

n The managers have excellent relationships with staff, and all staff express that they feel supported. This is demonstrated in the high morale and in the training and development opportunities provided. There is a positive approach to finding ways to enhance staff's knowledge and skills. As a result, the quality of care and teaching is strong. n Managers and staff have a clear understanding of what they want the children to learn and can identify gaps in children's learning and development consistently. The organisation of space and resources is carefully considered to follow the children's interests. Staff successfully provide a stimulating and inviting environment that all children benefit from. Children are engaged from the start of the session. n Staff are skilful in how they communicate with children. They engage children in meaningful and animated conversations. Through these experiences, children

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need to do better?

gain valuable listening skills and the confidence to share their views and ideas. Older children in particular communicate very well as they use their developing

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need to do better?

8 May 2025 skills, asking questions and extending play with their peers and adults. Younger children develop good vocabularies with the support of staff. n There is a solid approach to promoting early literacy skills. Children thoroughly enjoy listening to adults reading and are able to concentrate for long periods. Staff successfully foster a love for books as children become absorbed in stories due to their excellent storytelling skills. n The support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective overall. Children are provided with plans that are reviewed regularly, and an early intervention programme is in place to help them make good progress. There are agreed methods in place to support these children's communication and understanding, including the use of visual aids and prompts to help children know what is going to happen next. However, on occasion, these agreed methods are not used by all staff to ensure a fully consistent

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need to do better?

approach. n There is an excellent curriculum for developing children's health and well-being through daily physical activity and by providing a balanced diet at snack and lunchtime. Children are encouraged to be independent in toileting, washing their hands and pouring their own drinks, and they can communicate what it means to be healthy. n Children benefit from good opportunities to learn about the world, including about other cultures. They celebrate different events, such as VE Day and Chinese New Year, in enjoyable and creative ways, such as through music, dance and arts and crafts. n Managers and staff establish good partnerships working with parents. The settling-in process is robust, and this is highlighted by how quickly children feel secure enough to join in with nursery life. Parents report that they are very happy with the setting and have expressed how 'lovely' the staff are and that there are several ways they are updated and informed about their children's

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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 help staff to be more consistent in using the agreed approaches to support children with SEND.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 127670 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10380808 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 40 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Heather, Patricia Ann

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reference number

Telephone number 07562 728244 Date of previous inspection 25 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Swanley Kindergarten Pre-School registered in 1989. It operates from church premises in Swanley, Kent. The kindergarten is open during term time only. Sessions run from 9.15am to 3.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are eight members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold early years qualifications at level 3, three hold qualifications at level 4 and one holds a qualification at level 6.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the provider carried out a joint observation. n The inspector spoke with staff and interacted with the children. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum.

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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

8 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.

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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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