Down in The Woods Pre-School Ltd

Down in The Woods Pre- School Ltd The Annexe, Chichester Walk, Merley, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1ST

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 April 2016 5 October 2010

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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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Children demonstrate exceptional behaviour, cooperation and respect for others. They play together extremely well, happily working together to solve problems.  Staff make regular and precise assessments of children's learning, which they use effectively to plan challenging activities. Children make good progress in their learning.  Children have fun exploring the stimulating, well-resourced indoor and outdoor learning environments, which helps to keep them motivated and interested.  Partnerships with parents and carers, and other professionals, are strong. The regular exchange of information provides a fully integrated approach to children's learning.  Staff promote children's early literacy skills well. For example, children learn the sounds of letters through enjoyable activities, and use the various resources to practise their early writing.  The management and staff have a clear commitment to continuous improvement. The

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This provision is good

well-qualified staff team works together very well, constantly reviewing play activities to help improve outcomes for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some staff do not give children sufficient time to think and work things out for themselves.  Group activities are not always adapted to suit the needs of the younger children, to enable all children to participate fully.

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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

 make sure that all staff give children sufficient time and space to help them to work things out for themselves, to enhance children's learning  review group activities to take account of younger children's abilities so all children are able to actively take part.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's play and staff interaction, indoors and outdoors.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector looked at documentation, including a sample of children's developmental records, planning and staff suitability records.  The inspector talked with the provider, staff and some parents.  The inspector looked at and discussed systems used to evaluate the pre-school.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The provider has robust recruitment and vetting procedures in place to check the suitability of staff to work with children. The manager monitors staff practice effectively to ensure that all children receive good care and support. She works closely with staff to continually review the provision and identify areas for development. For example, they updated systems used to help them track children's progress to enable them to plan for children's individual learning more effectively. Staff are quick to recognise any gaps in children's learning, organising specific activities to help focus on particular areas. For example, staff made up individual number activities linked to 'superheroes' to engage boys more. Parents receive good information about their children's achievements and how they can support their learning at home.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Good teaching and staff's positive interaction successfully engage children in their learning. Staff skilfully model language and promote conversation to develop children's communication skills effectively. For example, staff make good use of puppets to engage children in songs and rhymes and teach them rhythms and sounds. Children regularly count and use number in their play and through the daily routines. For example, they count stacks of bricks, recognising which is the biggest and smallest size. Staff skilfully extend the activity to help develop the children's learning further, and the children identify that by taking a brick off their tower 'it will get smaller'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Staff foster an excellent sense of security and emotional well-being for children, giving them a strong base for developing their independence. For example, children take turns to be a 'helper' for the day, preparing snack and serving the other children. Children behave extremely well, and show kindness and consideration towards others, which helps them build positive relationships. For instance, children play together cooperatively, listening to each other, as they enthusiastically collaborate over how to make a cot for their doll. Staff have a very good awareness of their responsibility to follow safe working practices to support children's health, safety and well-being.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are motivated, enthusiastic learners and show good independence. They have high levels of confidence as they select play activities themselves from the excellent range of resources. They are keen to choose where and how they play. They play well together, developing good imaginations in the enjoyable activities offered to them. Children are making good progress in their learning. Staff offer them good support to help them gain the essential skills they need for their future learning, and their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY350656 Local authority Poole Inspection number 835294 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 63 Name of provider Down In The Woods Pre-School Ltd Date of previous inspection 5 October 2010 Telephone number 07787954387

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Setting details

Down in the Woods Pre-School opened approximately 30 years ago under previous ownership, and re-registered in 2007 under sole ownership. It operates from a purpose- built building in a residential area of Merley, Wimborne, in Dorset. The pre-school is open from 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday in school term time only. In addition, there is an after school club from 3.15pm to 5.30pm during term time, and a holiday club that operates from 9am to 5.30pm during school holidays. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. There are nine members of staff, including the manager; of these, eight hold appropriate early years 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

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Setting details

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