Maldon Community Preschool

Maldon Community Pre- School Wantz Chase, MALDON, Essex, CM9 5DN

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 October 2015 17 May 2010

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The manager was successful in securing funding for new premises. The building is now bright, airy, welcoming and very well equipped with high-quality resources. This has a positive impact on children's learning and staff morale.  Children progress well in their learning. They benefit from a good level of support and guidance from caring staff.  Effective partnerships with parents, the local authority and other professionals involved in the children's care are well established. This helps to ensure a consistent approach to meeting children's needs and supporting their ongoing development.  Staff model courteous and respectful behaviour. They teach children to be kind, share and look after friends, which helps them to learn how to behave well.  Parents report that staff are very friendly, supportive and brilliant with the children. They speak positively about children's good progress in counting, singing and making

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not yet robustly monitor the progress of different groups of children. This means she cannot be sure to promptly identify and swiftly address any gaps in children's learning.  Children are not given enough opportunities to recognise, hear and practise using letters and sounds. This means their early literacy skills are not promoted as fully as possible.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 monitor the progress of groups of children more closely to help identify and address any gaps in children's learning  increase opportunities to help children recognise letters and practise using letter sounds, in order to further develop their early literacy skills.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the provider's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager strives to deliver good standards of care and education for children. She is working towards a higher qualification and she uses her training to share good practice and further improve outcomes for children. The Early Years Foundation Stage requirements are implemented consistently. Staff are reflective and ongoing evaluation helps them to identify and make changes that benefit children. The manager and staff regularly observe each other's practice and share feedback on their performance. This, along with regular supervision and good access to training, helps to build staff confidence and strengthen their teaching skills. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff are trained in safeguarding procedures which means they know how to respond to any concerns about children or adults. New policies and procedures have been introduced to help promote children's regular attendance and to safeguard children from extreme

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff display good teaching skills. They know their key children well because they regularly assess their abilities and plan activities that keep children interested and motivated to learn. Staff talk to children and ask questions about their play, which helps to promote children's language skills. They make good use of the nature trail, for instance, to teach children about insects. Group activities give children the opportunity to listen to stories or sing songs with the musical instruments. This helps children to build their confidence and develop their social skills. Staff work well with parents and others to make sure disabled children and those with special educational needs receive the support they need.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop friendships and form close relationships with the staff. They learn to play cooperatively together because staff consistently reinforce positive behaviour. Effective care practices help children to understand good hygiene routines and take care of their personal needs. Staff emphasise the importance of healthy eating and use effective strategies to involve parents in supplying healthy lunchboxes for their children. Children play actively in the garden every day, which helps to promote their physical development. Staff are supportive of children who speak English as an additional language, particularly during the settling-in process. One way they do this is by providing recording devices, so that parents can record reassuring messages for their children. This helps to positively promote children's emotional well-being.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning, including children whose starting points are below expected levels of development. Children have good opportunities to develop their independence and self-care skills because staff give them time to do things for themselves. This contributes to preparing children for their move to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY403235 Local authority Essex Inspection number 850492 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 37 Name of provider Maldon Community Pre-School Date of previous inspection 17 May 2010 Telephone number 01621859114

p.4

Setting details

Maldon Community Pre-School has been open for many years, but re-registered in 2010. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications, including one at level 4, four at level 3 and one at level 2. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The pre-school supports children who speak English as an additional language, disabled children and those with special educational needs.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Setting details

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Setting details

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

p.5