Plumstead Common Preschool

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children are confident and motivated to learn. Relationships between parents, staff and children are strong, which supports children to feel safe and secure. Staff draw upon resources in the local community to provide children with exciting learning experiences outside of the setting.

These include visiting the local supermarket to buy fruit for snack time, and participating in pre-school activities planned in the local park during the summer. This helps children to learn about their community and the wider world. Staff observe what children can do, and check their progress and next steps in learning.

Children behave w...ell, overall. They are polite and have a good understanding of turn taking and sharing. Children develop their physical skills well.

They can confidently manoeuvre themselves along an obstacle course and climb large apparatus. Mealtimes are particularly social occasions, where staff and children talk about their interests and families. Children show high levels of independence.

They wash and dry their hands, unzip their packed lunch bags and unclip their lunch containers. Staff support children's communication and language well. For example, they use a range of simple signs and words to encourage children to participate in conversations.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the learning and development requirements. They monitor children's progress well. Staff assess what children know and can do, and use the information they gather to plan children's next steps in learning.

Staff plan a wide range of activities that capture children's interests, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).Staff get to know children and their individual personalities well. Children have a strong sense of belonging, positive well-being and good self-esteem.

Children behave well. They show kindness to their friends. For instance, older children help younger children to raise the tap to wash their hands.

However, staff do not consistently deploy themselves well, and miss opportunities to extend children's learning in play.Staff continually evaluate how children use the resources and equipment, indoors and outdoors, to support their interest and engagement in learning. Children use their imagination well.

They have lots of opportunities to explore their ideas and initiate their own play.Partnerships with parents are a particular strength of the pre-school. There is very effective two-way communication about children's development at home and in the setting.

The key persons keep parents well informed about their child's learning. Staff informally chat with parents at drop-off and collection times each day about how their child is progressing. Parents acknowledge that staff prepare children well for their move to school.

The manager continuously reflects on the quality of the provision. She regularly seeks the views of parents, staff and children, and uses this information effectively to plan ongoing improvements. She ensures staff have plenty of opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills through training, coaching and regular supervision meetings.

Staff support children's understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle. Staff provide children with healthy snacks and drinking water. Children have regular access to the outdoors.

They engage in regular physical activities and participate in a number of interesting trips beyond the setting. For instance, they visit theme parks and go on forest school trips.Children are well behaved and show consideration for each other.

They benefit from staff being positive role models. Staff are consistent in their management of children's behaviour. On occasions, when younger children find it difficult to follow simple rules, staff teach them how to share, take turns and help their friends.

Staff provide a stimulating environment that fosters children's curiosity using a range of natural and interesting resources. For example, older children explore a minibeast activity in a large tray, and say they will 'build a den for the insects'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

The manager and staff attend courses to refresh their knowledge and understanding of different aspects of child protection. They identify possible signs of abuse, and are clear about reporting processes, including whistle-blowing. They know the possible signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm, such as from extreme behaviours and views.

Staff carry out regular safety checks, indoors and outdoors. The provider follows thorough recruitment procedures to ensure those employed to work with children are suitable.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: deploy staff more effectively to extend children's learning during their play.