Cottis Preschool

Cottis Playgroup Methodist Church Hall, 42 Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 9SA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 May 2015 9 December 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 Outstanding 1

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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

 Staff are extremely good role models. They help children to learn good manners and encourage them to have empathy. They teach children to be fair and take turns. As a result, children develop an exemplary understanding of how to behave.  The provider and staff are fully aware of procedures to deal with any safeguarding concerns, which helps to ensure children's welfare.  Staff help children to manage risks in the environment. They also enjoy visits from the local fire authority. This helps them develop an excellent understanding of how to keep safe.  Staff organise a highly stimulating environment with a good range of activities and resources. They plan frequent outings, including country walks.  Staff provide children with healthy snacks. They encourage children to help prepare and serve their snack, which promotes their independence in preparation for school.  The provider involves parents, staff, and other professionals in the playgroup's

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This provision is good

evaluation. They take effective actions in response to identified weaknesses to improve outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff answer their own questions and suggest solutions without giving children enough time to think about what they want to say or do.

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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

 give children time to think and respond to questions so they can formulate their answers and come up with their own ideas.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interactions with children in the inside and outside areas.  The inspector held ongoing discussions with the staff, the manager and children.  The inspector examined a range of documentation, including a sample of policies and procedures, children's development files and staff files.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This is good

The staff closely observe the children's skills and make assessments to identify their next steps in learning. They gather information from parents and make observations of children when they start. They plan activities accordingly to ensure children make good progress. Key persons share the regular assessments of their key children with their parents and other settings that the children attend. This helps complement and support children's learning at home and in other settings well. Staff skilfully use daily routines to encourage children's literacy and mathematical skills. For example, children select their own name before their snack, count the empty places and select the corresponding number to inform staff. Staff use good communication strategies with children who have special educational needs and/or learning disabilities. This helps to close any gaps, given their starting points, to develop good communication skills. Staff skilfully promote children's understanding of

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who attend. This is good

the natural world. For example, staff talk to children about their costumes when they dress up as insects and they talk excitedly about the differences between a bee and a wasp.

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outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in helping children manage their behaviour. Children learn good manners and how to take turns. Staff discuss and encourage children to have consideration for others. As a result, children's behaviour is exemplary. The key-person approach is very well established. Key persons build very positive relationships with the children. Consequently, children feel very safe and secure in the playgroup. Children confidently choose from the wide selection of resources. They thoroughly enjoy physical activities, such as the `Ugly bug music and movement session'. These contribute to children's exceptional understanding of the importance of exercise for their good health.

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provision is good

The provider has a good understanding of how to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She carries out safe recruitment procedures and effective induction to ensure all staff are suitable and fully aware of their responsibilities. The provider ensures that staff clearly understand their duties to protect children from harm and to keep them safe. She skilfully evaluates and identifies weaknesses in practice and has a very good awareness of the strengths and skills of the staff. The provider sets targets for staff and organises training opportunities. Recent attendance at Creating Communicators sessions, held by the Specialist Speech and Language team, has enhanced the staff's and parents' understanding of how to prepare children for school. This has helped staff, in partnership with parents, to ensure continuity between home and preschool.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113449 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 839859 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 56 Name of provider Samantha Anthony Date of previous inspection 9 December 2009 Telephone number 07976378373

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Setting details

Cottis Playgroup registered in 2000. It operates from a church hall in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. It is open on Monday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.15am to 12.15pm, during term time only. The setting is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The provision employs nine members of staff; of these, seven, including the manager, hold recognised childcare 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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