Dodleston Pre-School

Dodleston Pre-School Dodleston Village Hall, Dodleston, Chester, Cheshire, CH4 9NT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23 March 2015 8 June 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 All children make good progress. They demonstrate a high level of independence and show that they enjoy playing and learning, as they engage in a wide range of interesting activities.  Safeguarding of children is good because staff know the procedures to follow and a policy is in place, which underpins practice. This is reviewed and updated regularly. Safety is maintained because the premises are secure and staff are vigilant regarding access to the setting.  There are good systems in place to monitor children's progress. Staff use these to target individual learning needs and to identify those who do not make the expected progress.  Children's move on to school is supported well, through the close relationship the pre- school has with local schools.  The committee and management team support staff well. Staff take part in regular training courses linked to their appraisals, which enhances their individual practice and

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Adult-led activities provided for older and more-able children do not always challenge their thinking and knowledge, to support them to achieve to their full potential.  Opportunities to develop children's investigation skills and understanding about the natural world are not always well supported with the use of resources, or access to the outdoor area.

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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

 strengthen the planning of structured, adult-led activities for older and more-able children to continually challenge them and maximise their learning  provide children with more opportunities to explore and investigate the natural world, for example, by providing more resources and access to the outdoor area.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a meeting with the manager of the pre-school.  The inspector observed play and learning activities in the pre-school indoor and outdoor areas and spoke to staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with the children, the provider's self-evaluation form and improvement plan.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector looked at a selection of children's records and information and spoke to their key persons.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.

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who attend. This is good

Children enjoy being at pre-school. The manager and staff use their good knowledge of children's abilities and interests to plan rich and varied activities. Staff relate well to children and are responsive to them. Staff encourage children's good communication skills by encouraging them to talk about what they are doing. They make sure children develop the skills needed for school, promoting their creative and critical thinking by asking open questions. In general, staff encourage children to listen, be attentive and to take turns in speaking. However, staff do not consistently structure adult-led activities to challenge the older and more able children. For example, older children playing with blocks are over boisterous as they are not fully challenged by the activities. Staff have a good understanding of the need to work with external agencies and other professionals, such as the local school. This ensures that effective strategies are put in place to meet children's

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good

Children's personal, social and emotional development, and their emotional well-being, are well supported. For example, staff gather useful information to help children settle and to meet their individual care needs. Children develop positive relationships with staff and are happy, confident and motivated in their environment. Children are generally well behaved and respond well to gentle reminders to be caring and kind. Staff teach children healthy practices and children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, such as fruit. Children enjoy exercise and being outside in the fresh air. They move with confidence and control, as they run and cycle. However, children's access to the outdoors is sometimes limited and opportunities for children to develop their investigation skills, and talk about the natural world, are not always supported. For example, when children dig in the soil and find bugs there is little conversation about what they find and too few resources, such as magnifying

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good

glasses to help them explore their learning further. The pre-school is safe and resources are used well overall, to meet the planned goals in learning.

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provision is good

The pre-school staff have a secure understanding of their responsibilities. There is a range of policies and procedures, which staff implement effectively to support children's health, safety and well-being. Staff have a clear understanding of child protection. They know the procedures to follow if there are concerns about a child in their care. Consequently, children are safeguarded well. A commitment to ongoing training ensures the pre-school can continue to meet statutory obligations and develop skills which support practice. Staff work well with the school that some of the children attend. Relevant information is exchanged to support the move that children will make. Staff also have strong relationships with parents, and they are encouraged to share information about their children, to ensure continuity of care. Staff receive good support from the manager through supervision sessions, appraisals and regular training.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 305044 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 864804 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 25 Name of provider Dodleston Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 8 June 2009 Telephone number 07938465435

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Setting details

Dodleston Preschool was registered in 1981. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting opens four days a week during school term times. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, between 9.15am and 1pm. Eight members of staff work with children. Seven of whom have early years qualifications, including two at level 2, four at level 3 and one at level 5.

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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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