The Willow Set Preschool

The Willow Set Pre-School Stoke St. Gregory C of E Primary School, Huntham Lane, Stoke St. Gregory, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA3 6EG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 April 2015 23 November 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Leadership is inspirational. The manager and her team are committed to the pursuit of excellence. They have a superb understanding of their role in the delivery of the education programmes and the safeguarding and welfare requirements.  The staff are highly competent and well qualified, and this is reflected in the exceptional quality of teaching, which is outstanding. They use their expert knowledge of teaching to support children in making excellent progress considering their starting points.  Staff promote children's well-being highly effectively. They understand children's needs exceptionally well. Care practices have a very positive impact on children's development. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely well.  The manager uses her outstanding knowledge and skills to mentor and coach the staff. This has a positive impact on staff practice and the high quality of interaction to

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This provision is outstanding

support children's learning throughout the setting.  Staff's safeguarding knowledge and practice is very secure. Staff are exceptionally clear regarding the action they must take to protect children and keep them safe from harm.  Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents are involved in the identification of children's starting points. Staff keep parents well informed of their child's progress to enable them to support their child's learning at home.

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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

 enhance opportunities for children to write their own names.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and interactions inside and outdoors.  The inspector spoke with staff and the manager.  The inspector sampled documentation including children's learning, risk assessments, suitability information and operational plans.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to at inspection.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Inspirational teaching is evident across the pre-school. All children are making rapid progress considering their starting points, age and capabilities. Staff plan the educational programme well and children enjoy extensive choices in their play and learning. They make decisions about where they wish to play as they run freely indoors and out. Children initiate many activities themselves, which staff skilfully support. For example, children acted out their favourite stories, while staff pretended to be the troll under the bridge. This resulted in children laughing, squealing and having a great time, while developing their imagination. A sharp focus on assessing and tracking children's progress ensures that when staff identify any gaps in children's achievement, these are planned for and consequently narrowed. For example, small group work focuses on pronouncing words, colour recognition and creative activities. However, staff sometimes miss opportunities to

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who attend. This is outstanding

encourage children to write their own names on their work. Staff ensure children are prepared extremely well for their next steps in learning and for progression on to school. This is due to the exceptional relationships with the reception class teacher and shared play and activity times with the reception class.

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outstanding

Children enjoy highly positive relationships. There is a real sense of community and a quality of care and support given to children and their families. Staff are excellent role models. They support children's language, guide them in their play and are passionate about encouraging children to explore and undertake activities independently. Children are very confident and enthusiastic and their behaviour is exemplary. Staff offer consistent praise to children and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small or large. Children have high levels of self-esteem and independently talk with adults about what they are doing.

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provision is outstanding

Enthusiastic, highly committed leadership and management results in the provision of a fully inclusive, safe environment in which children consistently thrive. The manager and the committee have an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They implement robust systems for the recruitment and assessing of staff suitability. Staff receive regular training and are fully familiar with child protection procedures. As a result, staff support children's health, safety and well-being extremely well. Management support staff effectively with regular and high quality supervision. The strong and accurate evaluation of the pre-school identifies a clearly targeted drive for continuous improvement.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY431515 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 985003 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 39 Name of provider The Willow Set Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 23 November 2011 Telephone number 01823491567

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Setting details

The Willow Set Pre-School and Sun up/Sun down out of school club registered in 2011. It operates from a purpose-built, sole use premises within the school grounds of Stoke St Gregory C of E Primary School, Stoke St Gregory, near Taunton, Somerset. The pre-school operates from 9am to 3.15pm and the Sun up/Sun down club from 7.45am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 5.30pm during term time and all day in the school holidays. The setting is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years. There are nine staff, including an administrator. The manager has Early Years Professional Status. Three staff are qualified at level 3 and above. Four have a level 2, although three of these are working towards a level 3.

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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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