Willaston Pre-school

Willaston Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 305438 Inspection date 15/11/2011 Inspector Jane Shaw

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Setting address St. Johns Methodist Chapel, Wybunbury Road, Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 7JF Telephone number 07966 368423 Email Type of setting Childcare - Non-Domestic 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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. 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. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Willaston Pre-school is run by a voluntary committee of parents. The pre-school was registered in 1985, and operates from two rooms within St. John's Methodist Church Hall, Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire. A maximum of 24 children may attend at any one time. The pre-school runs during term times only and is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. All children have access to secure outdoor play areas and an adjacent field. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 33 children attending who are within the early years age group. Of these, 17 are in receipt of funding for early education. The pre-school is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities as well as children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

There are nine members of staff, including the manager, who work directly with the children. One member of staff has an early years degree and holds Early Years Professional Status; six staff hold level 3 qualifications in childcare; one has a level 2 qualification; and a further member of staff is currently undertaking a level 3 qualification.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school receives support from the local authority and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Willaston Pre-school creates a fully inclusive environment where all children are made to feel welcome and are able to participate. Staff are fully aware of children's individual needs and personalities, and successfully promote their care, welfare, learning and development. As a result children make good progress and enjoy an excellent range of resources, both inside and outside. Overall, children's welfare is effectively promoted as a result of the clear policies, procedures, routines and good team working. Highly positive partnerships with parents and carers and good communication with other early years providers and relevant professionals support children's placements effectively. Self-evaluation is good, and demonstrates the setting's strong commitment and capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 review procedures to ensure all information is maintained confidentially  develop further the existing opportunities for children to identify letters and their names, for example at snack time. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well protected as staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. All staff have undertaken safeguarding training. Staff ratios are very good and support children's safety highly effectively. Records, policies and procedures are well organised, regularly reviewed and are effective in supporting children's safety and welfare. However, some children's personal information is displayed and therefore is not maintained confidentially. Staff complete daily safety checks of all areas prior to children's arrival. The premises are fully secure and staff are vigilant about visitors; this ensures children's safety and welfare at all times. Full risk assessments are completed and reviewed on a regular basis. Children are developing an understanding of their own safety as they learn about the importance of using tools, equipment and resources safely. Documentation, such as accident,

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the early years provision

medication and attendance records, is well maintained in order to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting.

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the early years provision

Staff are committed to their role and the children; they communicate daily, weekly and termly regarding children's overall development and curriculum planning. They undertake training, cascading and sharing knowledge with colleagues. Regular staff meetings, appraisals and supervision sessions help to ensure staff are well supported. The successful completion of recommendations raised at the last inspection and effective systems for self-evaluation and reflective practice, as well as opportunities for staff training and development, demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement. Staff deployment and the excellent range of resources for both indoor and outdoor play are highly effective in providing children with an environment which is conducive to their learning and development. Staff create a fully inclusive environment where all children are treated as unique individuals and all have equal access to the activities, resources and experiences on offer.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents and carers successfully promote and support children's placements. Parents and carers have access to information about the setting and what it provides, curriculum planning and newsletters, and regular questionnaires seek their views. They are invited to join the pre-school committee. Parents' evenings are arranged to discuss children's progress and development and they contribute to their child's learning and development through home/school books. Parents and carers receive daily feedback and have access to their child's learning journey at all times. Parents and carers spoken with confirm their complete satisfaction with the setting. Effective arrangements are in place for liaising with other professionals and early years providers and there are good transition arrangements in place for children moving to school. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development as a result of the staff's secure knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements. Effective team and key person working ensure children feel safe and secure. Staff complete focussed and spontaneous observations of children's progress and achievements. These are used to complete learning journeys and plan the next steps in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children arrive happy, separating from parents and carers with minimal support. After registration and circle time, children eagerly access activities and opportunities from the excellent range on offer. They move freely between indoor and outdoor play areas. Children are confident, share and take turns with resources, and play cooperatively together. They are developing an understanding of their own health needs, for example, as they access snacks and drinks at the flexible snack time when feeling hungry and thirsty. They are encouraged to develop an understanding of others through fund raising activities, and show consideration to one another. They have a good variety of opportunities to write and make marks both inside and outdoors as they form letters and use chalks. Some children show concentration, perseverance and good pencil skills as they accurately colour in pictures. Some opportunities are made available for children to

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and outcomes for children

identify letters and words as they hang their coats up on arrival, although this aspect of children's learning is not so well developed in other activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children count and are developing a good understanding of mathematical concepts such as size and comparison as they build towers. Outdoor play promotes children's development across all areas of learning. They develop an understanding of the world and nature as they dig and plant vegetables and flowers. They fill their own buckets from the water butt, use tubes to roll balls down and play with bats and balls. They learn about change by watching what happens to flowers when placed in coloured water.

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and outcomes for children

Children successfully climb over, under and through equipment which develops their physical skills of coordination and control. A variety of textures and techniques helps to promote children's creative and imaginary skills, for example, as they make cakes with play dough, use marbles in painting and camp using a variety of role play equipment. Children quickly become engrossed in imaginary play using a variety of small models. They negotiate roles and develop ideas as they plan to go camping in their camper van.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy snacks and access water at all times. They are aware of the need for good hygiene routines, and together with outdoor play opportunities, children's health, welfare and physical development are well promoted. The variety of activities offered and supportive staff interaction clearly support the good development of children's skills for the future. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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

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