Widey Court Pre-School

Widey Court Preschool Widey Court ( off Trewithy Drive), Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5UB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 October 2015 22 October 2014

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The quality of teaching is good. Staff motivate children to learn by providing enjoyable and stimulating learning experiences.  Staff understand children's individual needs as they identify their starting points and monitor their achievements. This helps children to make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are good. Staff share detailed information with them that helps them extend children's learning at home.  Staff support children's personal and social skills well. They focus on increasing children's self-esteem and confidence through giving regular praise. Children behave well, use good manners and form friendships with their peers.  Detailed self-evaluation ensures ongoing improvement. For example, staff have reviewed the outdoor play area to increase opportunities for children to engage in creative play using natural resources.  Staff model communication very well, such as by including the routine use of sign

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This provision is good

language. Consequently, all children develop confidence to initiate conversation and communicate their needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasion, staff do not challenge the more able children during discussions and activities, such as by encouraging them to work out answers to more complex questions.  Children do not have regular opportunities to explore, solve problems or operate mechanical or electronic toys because staff do not always provide children with a good choice of technology resources.

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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

 provide greater challenge for more able children, through discussion and questioning during planned activities, to further extend their learning  strengthen children's exploration and problem-solving skills by providing a greater range of technology resources.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed adult-led activities and children's self-chosen play both indoors and outside.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager and deputy manager.  The inspector held discussions with children, their parents and staff members at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager.  The inspector sampled documentation, including planning, staff qualifications and training records, and suitability checks.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider and manager have a good understanding of their responsibilities to safeguard children. For instance, they ensure the well-qualified staff complete appropriate training in first aid and child protection, so they are aware of current procedures. Safeguarding is effective. However, the provider has not informed Ofsted of all changes to committee members or ensured that all committee members complete relevant suitability checks. However, this has no impact on children's welfare because committee members do not have unsupervised contact with children. The provider has taken immediate steps to rectify this. The manager monitors staff practice through regular supervision meetings to maintain high standards of care and education. Staff discuss training and share good ideas. For example, staff have developed the use of displays to inform parents of the skills and understanding that children acquire during tasks and play.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan exciting learning opportunities, which stimulate children with interesting experiences across all areas of learning. For instance, children investigate natural resources indoors and excitedly discover an insect. This prompts them to use magnifying glasses to search for more creatures in the garden, which staff encourage through their participation. Effective assessment arrangements enable staff to quickly identify any gaps in children's progress. They work closely with external agencies and parents to implement consistent strategies. This means that all children, including disabled children and those with special educational needs, receive individual support to help them make good progress. Staff provide good resources to develop children's hand-to-eye coordination, such as using tweezers to pick up grains of rice. This helps to support their early writing skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy because they form secure relationships with staff. Staff enthusiastically greet children as they arrive and show interest in their comments as they play, which builds their confidence and self-esteem. Staff encourage children to become independent. For example, children wash their hands before eating, spread toppings on their toast and hang their belongings on their coat pegs. They learn to keep themselves safe because staff consistently prompt them to consider risks in their environment. For instance, staff talk to children about why they should be careful when using a knife. Children freely access the outdoor area, which particularly appeals to children who prefer to play and learn outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress. They are motivated and confident, independently selecting resources, and initiate their own play and learning. This helps to prepare them well for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 117247 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 996486 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 40 Name of provider Widey Court Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 22 October 2014 Telephone number 01752 701187

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Setting details

Widey Court Preschool registered in 1984 and is run by a committee of parents. The pre- school operates from a purpose-built building, adjacent to Widey Court Primary School in Crownhill, Plymouth. Sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 3.15pm with a lunch club between 11.30am and 12.15pm. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education places for children aged two, three and four years. There are 10 members of staff who work directly with children, nine of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The manager has an appropriate early years qualification 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

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Setting details

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