Weasenham Pre School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Weasenham Pre School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 254338 Inspection date 28/11/2008 Inspector Nick Butt

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Setting address Common End, Weasenham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2SP

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Telephone number 07949 959 509 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Weasenham Pre-school opened in 2000. It operates from a mobile classroom within the grounds of the village school. It has a new outdoor area in use since June 2008. Children who attend come from Weasenham and the surrounding villages. There are currently ten children on roll, this includes six children in receipt of funding for nursery education. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The group opens five days a week during school term times only, and is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. Sessions are from 09:00 until 15:00 on Monday to Friday. There are three members of staff. The supervisor and deputy have early years qualifications in excess of Level 3 and the assistant is undertaking a Level 3 qualification. There is a new secure outdoor area accessible to the mobile.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in a happy and stimulating learning environment, where they are cared for well and make good progress. There are excellent links with parents, who are extremely supportive of the setting. There is a good understanding of what works well and where improvement is needed because of effective self evaluation. Parents’ and children’s views are taken on board to improve the provision. All children are included well, and staff have a good knowledge of their individual needs based on thorough assessment. There is good leadership and management that has built a strong team who have a clear understanding of how young children learn.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use questioning more effectively to extend children’s learning  extend the range of resources (such as books, dolls and dressing-up costumes) so that they more closely reflect today’s multicultural society

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 have a written procedure in the event of a child going missing 01/12/2008  have a written policy for administering medication to children 01/12/2008

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provision

Staff work together effectively to provide a good range of stimulating activities for the children that engage and interest them well. Parents and children are fully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consulted about possible changes and their suggestions included. This has led to the development of the new outdoor area, which gives children plenty of exercise and enables them to explore the world around them. There are excellent links with parents. Parents are unanimously delighted with the pre-school. A typical comment was, ‘I am extremely happy with my daughter’s progress at the pre-school and only have praise for the staff and their work.’ The pre-school also works closely with the primary school. The supervisor spends one day per week in the reception class and they share resources and have joint activities and events, such as a trip to Gressenhall Museum. This makes it much easier for children when they move up

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provision

Safeguarding procedures are all in place, and the leadership ensures the setting is safe and secure, with children unable to gain access to the kitchen area. There are two omissions to meeting welfare requirements: having a written policy for the administration of medicines and a written procedure for what to do in the event of a child going missing.

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provision

The pre-school knows itself well, with effective procedures in place to evaluate its work. These have recently been formalised in the completion of a self-evaluation form. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been implemented, including providing access at all times to drinking water and allocating a key person to each child. The setting has drawn up action plans for those areas it has identified as needing improvement, but is not yet explicit about how it will know when it has been successful in meeting them. Resources are of generally good quality, but do not reflect sufficiently the multicultural nature of modern society, particularly in the range of books and dressing-up clothes available.

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provision

The management committee is well-informed and works closely with the supervisor and deputy-supervisor in evaluating the work of the pre-school. There is a good capacity for continuous improvement stemming from the care and attention that goes into making the setting one in which children’s needs are met so that they all achieve well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given a good range of learning opportunities to develop their early literacy and numeracy skills. They enjoy creative play, such as painting Santa’s fireplace together against a wall of the pre-school. Colourful and attractive displays of children’s work reveal a good variety of activities, including making a poppy collage for Poppy Day and a large Nativity crib ready for display in the local church.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planning is flexible, and tailored to meet children’s individual learning needs, reflecting their interests and aspirations. Staff ensure that there is an appropriate level of challenge appropriate for the children’s ages and abilities. All adults make a valuable contribution to children’s learning, creating a happy and caring atmosphere in which children feel valued and secure. However, sometimes questioning is not always used effectively to develop children’s understanding and to engage them in more extended conversation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children socialise well together over snacks and lunch and show independence in being able to wash their hands before meals and tidy up the toys ready for a story. They are encouraged to make choices for themselves, and generally play harmoniously. Any minor disputes are resolved swiftly by adults. They are able to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

go outside in all weathers in their all-in-one waterproofs and thoroughly enjoy the facilities for adventure play in the pre-school’s new outdoor space. The children asked for a digging area, which they use with great enthusiasm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff observe children carefully and keep detailed records of what they can do and where they need support, using these to plan new activities that help them to move forward in their learning. They are wanting to involve children more in their own learning by creating personal scrapbooks for them that contain photos of the children at play and their comments about what they are doing. Staff are well trained in first aid and food hygiene and create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for the children in which they can develop and grow in confidence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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