Magpies Preschool

Magpies Preschool North Kidlington School, Benmead Road, KIDLINGTON, Oxfordshire, OX5 2DA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 January 2015 5 July 2011

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3

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Although staff interact pleasantly with children, they do not use questioning effectively to encourage children to think critically or to explore their ideas further. This affects how well children gain skills that prepare them for the next stage of their learning, such as starting school.  Staff do not ensure that the daily attendance register consistently records children's hours of attendance. This is a breach of legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and associated requirements for the Childcare Register.  Self-evaluation processes are not fully robust to identify and target all weaknesses effectively.

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It has the following strengths

 Children generally enjoy their time at the pre-school and are well occupied. They have a range of toys and resources available to them that cover the areas of learning.  Children benefit from the praise offered by the staff, this helps them to behave well while learning to share and take turns.  Staff have positive partnerships with parents, carers, other professionals and settings. This promotes a secure approach to supporting children's care and learning needs.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 maintain a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance  improve staff knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements to ensure that they are able to support children through purposeful interaction and activities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 develop the self-evaluation processes to clearly identify areas for development and improvement to support children's care and learning needs, including monitoring staff's practice to identify improvements.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and play experiences available to children.  The inspector observed interactions between children and staff.  The inspector asked staff questions about their work and observed practice with the manager.  The inspector spoke to some parents about their views and opinions of the pre-school.  The inspector sampled the pre-school's documentation and children's development records.

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who attend. This requires improvement

The inconsistencies in the quality of teaching mean that children's progress is not as rapid as it could be in some areas. However, children enjoy exploring creative materials, such as painting on their hands and investigating letters within foam. Staff promote children's mathematical development well, using numbers in everyday activities. In addition, children explore with equipment to gain an understanding of volume and measurements as they fill jugs and carry them, full of water, to guttering tubes. Staff complete detailed observations and assessments on the children, which highlights their ongoing achievements to set realistic learning targets. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from positive support overall.

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requires improvement

The lack of accurate attendance records means that staff cannot easily determine, when necessary, who is present in the pre-school, for example, in case of an emergency. Children make strong friendships within the pre-school, which helps them to feel self- assured and confident in each other's company. They are contented and play happily with the available toys and resources. Children are secure in the pre-school as they initiate and extend their own play and learning. The key person approach works well and staff know children's developmental stages. Children independently select activities that meet safety standards throughout the pre-school, which supports children's interests. Staff provide children with snacks that are balanced and nutritious. Snack times also promote children's independence. For example, when children have toast they are encouraged and supported to spread their chosen topping. Children's health and well-being is well supported as staff

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requires improvement

provide daily opportunities to play outside and be active.

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provision requires improvement

The management team have an adequate understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, arrangements to monitor the quality of teaching and other aspects of the provision are not fully robust. All required policies and procedures are in place. Staff demonstrate a suitable understanding of how to safeguard children in relation to child protection responsibilities. They know the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and demonstrate a secure awareness of how to record and report concerns. This helps to protect the children while they are at the pre-school. Staff comment that they are well supported and there are processes to mentor, train and appraise them. Parents are happy with the pre-school and comment that staff are friendly and always available to talk to them. This gives them reassurance of their child's well-being.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY425468 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 823170 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 58 Name of provider Magpies Kidlington Ltd Date of previous inspection 5 July 2011 Telephone number 07940419253

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Setting details

Magpies Pre-School re-registered in 2011 at its current location after operating for approximately three years at a different site. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. They operate from a separate building within the grounds of North Kidlington School. The provision operate from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday, term time only, offering wrap around care to school age children. The pre-school operates from 8.45am to 11.45am and then12.15pm to 3.15pm, offering a lunch club from 11.45am to 12.15pm to enable some children to stay all day. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early years education to children aged two, three and four. The pre-school employs 10 staff, all of whom have appropriate early years qualifications.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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