First Steps Preschool

First Steps Preschool Scout and Guide Centre, Longwick Road, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9HN

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 September 2016 14 October 2015

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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

 Staff support children well in activities that they lead and that children choose themselves. They teach children new skills and build on previous learning successfully.  Managers provide good leadership to ensure that key persons assess and plan for children's progress effectively. They address any gaps in learning so that children who fall behind catch up with their peers over time. Children make good progress and staff prepare them well for their next stages of learning and for school.  Most children, including those new to the pre-school, settle quickly on arrival. Those who find it more difficult to settle receive good support from staff to separate from parents and carers without distress.  Staff organise themselves well to meet children's welfare needs successfully and to ensure that routines run smoothly.  Staff are vigilant and supervise children effectively. Managers keep staff up to date with

p.1

This provision is good

safeguarding procedures and they review these regularly.  The committee and staff team work well together to improve practice.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to encourage children to try to solve problems as they arise during the course of their play and learning.  Staff do not always give children enough time to respond during discussions to fully support their thought processes.

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

 extend opportunities for children to solve problems to challenge their learning further  develop opportunities further for children to express themselves and process their thinking.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector completed joint observations with the manager.  The inspector held meetings with the manager, deputy manager and key persons, and talked to the chairperson, parents, other staff and children where appropriate.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including planning documentation, children's assessment records, evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff, and the self-evaluation form.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The committee and staff team have met the action and recommendations from the last inspection. They now plan and organise activities effectively to achieve good practice and better outcomes for children. The committee supports staff well to pursue further training and qualifications. For example, staff are currently training to make the most of outdoor learning opportunities. Safeguarding is effective. For example, staff discuss safeguarding procedures regularly during meetings to develop their knowledge of child protection. The committee and staff team evaluate their practice accurately. They identify areas for further development to ensure that practice continues to improve.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use good-quality teaching strategies overall to support children's learning. They plan activities well to help children extend their skills in different areas of learning. For example, during interesting group activities, staff encourage children's physical development, social skills and early reading skills. Staff use good-quality interactions overall. They use explanations and recall previous experiences to help children make links in their learning. Staff build positive partnerships with parents. For example, they use daily diaries to provide information about activities children enjoy and the progress they make to keep parents well informed about their learning. Staff work closely with other settings that children attend to encourage continuity in their care and learning.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff help children feel secure and they meet their individual needs. For example, they change nappies or wet clothes promptly and ensure all children have a healthy snack and drink during the session. All staff have first-aid training to respond effectively to accidents and incidents. They help children to learn about good hygiene, for example, by washing hands before eating and after outdoor play. Staff are good role models. They encourage positive behaviour and help children resolve arguments fairly. Staff help children to respect each other and to learn about people who are different from themselves.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children respond well to staff and are keen learners. They listen well during group times and follow instructions readily. Children enjoy games that help them become familiar with letter sounds and the importance of taking turns. They are curious about the world around them and learn to take care of living things. For example, they enjoy observing spiders and ladybirds and they handle them carefully. Children develop confidence as they learn to move in different ways while they exercise. For example, they enjoy balancing, stamping and clapping as they dance to music. Children acquire a good range of skills that support their ongoing development effectively.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 116702 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 1031017 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 24 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person First Steps Preschool Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 October 2015 Telephone number 07762326772 or 01844 275467

p.4

reference number

First Steps Preschool registered in 1995. It is run by a parent committee. The pre-school operates from the Scout and Guide Centre in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. It is open during school term times from 9am until 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 9am until 1pm on Tuesday and Friday. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. It employs six members of staff, five of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or 3.

p.4

reference number

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

reference number

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

reference number

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

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

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

p.5