The Donkey Field Pre School

The Donkey Field Pre School Crawley Down C of E Village School, Hophurst Drive, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4XA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 4 May 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 Good 2

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This provision is good

 The manager and staff have built very strong partnerships with schools and other professionals. They work very effectively together to support children who have special educational needs and those transferring to school.  Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn. For example, they organise interesting and challenging activities that engage children's curiosity.  Children benefit from strong relationships with staff. They are happy and settled, which helps to support their emotional well-being.  Children make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development. They are confident to try new things and learn a wide range of skills to prepare them for the next stage in their learning.  The manager regularly monitors individual children and groups of children's progress. For example, she identifies any gaps in learning and arranges additional activities and support to help children catch up.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always allow children enough time to think about and solve problems for themselves.  The manager does not make full use of staff monitoring processes, to identify how best to extend the quality of their practice and improve outcomes for children further.

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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

 increase the opportunities for children to think about and solve problems for themselves  strengthen the existing system for monitoring staff's practice to further raise the quality of teaching and support all children to achieve to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children at play in the playrooms and garden area.  The inspector examined a range of documentation including policies and the suitability checks carried out on staff and committee members.  The inspector and manager discussed the activities observed during the inspection and evaluated staff skills in teaching.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers to gather their views.  The inspector met with the chairperson of the committee to discuss the management of the setting.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding practice and know what action to take should they have concerns about the welfare of a child. The committee works closely with the manager and staff to review and improve the setting. For example, the chairperson meets with the manager each half term to review the progress made on action plans and goals. The manager consults with parents and staff to evaluate the quality of the setting and decide on areas to improve further. For example, they have updated their methods of assessment, which has helped to improve the sharing of information with parents. Staff attend a variety of training courses and share their new knowledge with other staff in meetings.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work very closely with parents to gather and share a wide range of information about children's abilities and interests. For example, staff complete regular observations and assessments of children's play and achievements, which they share with parents. This helps to involve parents in their children's learning at the playgroup and at home. Staff plan a wide range of interesting activities for children and, overall, use their good teaching skills effectively. For example, staff arrange activities, such as pond dipping, when children recall previous trips and ask to return.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a range of opportunities for children to learn about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles to support their physical well-being and good health. For example, children choose from different healthy foods at snack times. They learn that physical play and exercise make them thirsty. Children freely help themselves to water when they recognise that they need a drink. Staff encourage children to enjoy being outside. For example, they provide a wide range of activities outside and have used money from additional funding to train staff to make the most of the learning experiences outdoors. Children behave well. They share, take turns and play together well.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress, including those who have special educational needs. Children are confident, independent and lead their own play. For example, they make their own fishing rods using laces and lolly sticks, and place toy fish in some water before pretending to go fishing. Children are eager to learn and develop a good understanding of the world around them. For example, they plant seeds with staff and show a keen interest in the range of additional resources, including pictures and books, to look at the life cycle of plants. Children develop a good range of skills to help prepare them for the next stage in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 155339 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 826033 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 83 Name of provider The Donkey Field Pre School Committee Date of previous inspection 5 October 2010 Telephone number 01342717877

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Setting details

Donkey Field Pre-school registered in 2001. It operates from premises within Crawley Down Infant School, in Crawley Down, West Sussex. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday during term times. It is open from 9am to midday and from 12.30pm to 3pm. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members of staff working with the children, six of whom have relevant 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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