The Valley Pre-School

The Valley Pre-School Meonstoke C of E School, Chapel Road, Meonstoke, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 3NJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 January 2016 21 January 2015

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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

 Children are keen and motivated in play. They thrive in the well-planned, stimulating learning environment, making good developmental progress.  The well-trained staff team interact and support children's freely chosen play well. Children are developing valuable skills for the future.  The partnership with parents and other professional agencies, particularly for those children below the expected levels of development, is strong and successful. Children benefit in many ways from this effective communication and joint working.  Management pay good attention to safeguarding children's welfare. Policies and procedures are known by all staff and implemented well.  The staff team work very cohesively together. There is a very clear drive and vision towards improving outcomes for children, through professional development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to fully tailor their teaching to children of different ages and stages of development.  The indoor play areas, particularly the role-play area do not always promote high quality learning outcomes for children.

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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

 build on staff teaching skills, so all children of all ages and stages are expertly supported in all areas of learning in their play and routines  develop further the indoor play areas, particularly the role-play area to promote better learning outcomes for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the children's play activities indoors and outside, looked at the available resources and read relevant documentation.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and chairperson to discuss their leadership and management, including self-evaluation methods.  The inspector spoke to a sample of parents and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out two joint observations with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff are fully trained in child protection and carry out regular checks to ensure hazards are identified and minimised, including on outings. Safe recruitment procedures are followed closely by the management. Regular supervision and training ensures the well-qualified, professional staff constantly improve their good practice. The manager monitors the delivery of the educational programmes, planning and assessment effectively. Regular staff meetings and opportunities for self-evaluation and reflection help the team to continue to improve outcomes for all children, particularly since the previous inspection. Parents report they are extremely happy with the care and education on offer. They share verbal and electronic updates with their child's key person on a daily basis. The setting has a strong relationship with the school to aid children's move into Reception.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The staff know each child well and create exciting learning opportunities which engage and inspire all the children. For example, children play in a pretend outdoor building site with bricks and tools. The staff interaction is skilful and purposeful; they enhance children's thinking, and promote vocabulary, concepts and skills through supportive play. For example, when playing with coloured rice they promote mathematics, when retelling a favourite story with small props, they encourage talking and early reading skills. All children learn to become communicators through tailored, adult-led teaching in small groups. In larger groups, children are motivated to exchange information, ask questions and express their own ideas. Staff complete daily observations and regular assessments on children in order to plan and implement their next learning aims.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very happy and form strong bonds with the staff and key person. They are welcomed with warmth and affection and settle quickly when they arrive, particularly the newest of children. There is good attention by staff to health and safety. Children learn about healthy lifestyles; they play outdoors in all weathers and have ample opportunity to develop their physical skills. For example, to move their bodies to music and to learn about the effects of exercise. Children follow good hygiene practices and enjoy a healthy snack of fruit and vegetables, which they help to safely prepare. There is a harmonious and friendly atmosphere. All staff model good behaviour and focus on children's positive actions and kindness, giving them lots of praise and attention.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their development, which equips them well for the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 110140 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1033003 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 8 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 29 Name of provider The Valley Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 21 January 2015 Telephone number 01489878019

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Setting details

The Valley Pre-school opened in 1975. It registered in 2001 and in 2013 moved to purpose-built premises in the grounds of Meonstoke Church of England School. It is open each weekday during the school term. Sessions are available from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 3pm, with lunch provision. The pre-school is funded to provide some free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The committee employs five staff who work directly with the children, and all hold appropriate early years qualifications to level 5, 4 and 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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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