Swallowfield Pre-School

Swallowfield Pre-School Swallowfield Parish Hall, The Street, Swallowfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1QX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2016 8 June 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

 The quality of teaching is good. Staff carefully plan a range of activities that support children's interests and development. Children eagerly take part in exciting learning experiences that capture their imagination.  The manager and staff closely observe children's learning in the setting and regularly assess and check the progress that they make.  The premises are welcoming and well organised. For example, the outdoor area is used effectively to extend learning opportunities. This helps children who prefer to learn outdoors to make good progress. Children's physical skills develop well.  Staff build strong relationships with children. These trusting relationships form a solid basis from which staff help children to be well prepared for school.  Leaders and the staff team have made significant improvements since the last inspection. Effective support from the local authority and parents' committee has

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This provision is good

helped them to reflect on all areas of practice and support improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not routinely gather information about what children are achieving at home to help inform their assessment of children's progress.  Staff do not always make the best use of opportunities to increase children's awareness of the local community, to enhance their understanding of the wider world.

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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

 explore more ways to find out about children's achievements at home so staff can build upon their learning more effectively  increase opportunities to provide children with experiences to extend their knowledge and awareness of their local community.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main base rooms and garden.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children.  The inspector sampled relevant documentation, including children's learning records, planning, a selection of the setting's policies and children's records.  The inspector held meetings with the manager and spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Leaders are effective in ensuring staff are suitable and understand their roles. The manager promotes opportunities for staff to build on their professional development. She supports staff well through regular supervisions, appraisals and staff meetings. These are used effectively to enable staff to identify their own strengths and areas for improvement. Safeguarding is effective. Staff clearly understand how to keep children safe and secure and how to report any concerns regarding the welfare of children. Staff have established effective ways to provide parents with information, for example, through displays and regular newsletters. Staff develop strong partnerships with teachers in local schools, which helps them to ensure that children experience a smooth transition when the time comes.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff accurately assess children's starting points and ongoing development. They complete helpful progress reports. Staff identify any emerging gaps in children's learning and address these through carefully planned activities and support. Children confidently talk about number, shape and colour in their play, for example, as they explore building houses with a variety of materials, such as boxes, tubes and construction bricks. Children develop early literacy skills, for example, as they make marks with pens, chalks or paints. They talk about and use letter sounds on simple technology and recognise their names. Children enjoy learning and imaginatively develop their ideas during free-choice play. Staff ask effective questions that encourage children to think and solve problems. Children's communication and language skills develop effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

All children are valued for their individuality, although staff teach them about respecting differences and to treat others fairly. Children behave well. They are praised for their achievements. They learn from a young age to use their good manners and to share and take turns. Children develop their independence skills well. For example, during snack time they serve themselves, and pour their own drinks. Children eagerly help to put away toys, books and games. Children's health is fostered effectively. They enjoy regular active and outdoor play. They move with balance and control along stepping mats, climbing apparatus and tyres.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children achieve well, including those in receipt of early education funding, and make good progress, given what they know when they start. They are self-assured and confident learners who are ready for their next stage in learning. All children develop a range of key skills in preparation for school. Children follow instructions effectively and know how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 148684 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 1017351 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 - 5 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 29 Name of provider Swallowfield Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 8 June 2015 Telephone number 07771184982

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Setting details

Swallowfield Pre-school registered in 1992. It is located in Swallowfield, Berkshire and operates from Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 12.30pm, term time only. The pre- school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. A team of eight staff works with the children. Of these, six have appropriate early years qualifications. In addition, one member of staff holds a degree in early childhood studies, and others are qualified teachers.

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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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