The Colourful Caterpillar Pre-school

The Colourful Caterpillar Pre-school Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 3RR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 September 2016 14 September 2012

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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

 Staff check children's progress and learning experiences effectively. They generally know how to plan for individual children's learning, including those learning English as an additional language. They typically support children's progress well.  Children take part in a wide range of stimulating activities. They make easy choices from a good variety of resources and play materials indoors and outdoors.  Staff have good partnerships with other professionals involved in children's care. They work together well to help children to make good progress.  Staff attend regular training to update their knowledge and keep children safe, and they share what they learn with other practitioners.  Children's independence skills are nurtured exceptionally skilfully. Children confidently get themselves ready for outside play and use the toilet independently. They behave well.  The pre-school has developed effective partnerships with parents and they work well

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This provision is good

together to meet children's care and learning needs effectively.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not encourage children to develop their counting skills and awareness of numbers consistently well.  Leaders and managers do not support staff as well as they could, to improve their teaching and children's progress even 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

 help children to develop their counting skills and understanding of numbers to aid their mathematical learning further  provide more effective support for staff to help develop their quality of teaching and extend children's learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the impact of teaching on children's learning in the indoor and outdoor areas.  The inspector looked at a sample of records relating to planning, children's assessment and welfare.  The inspector spoke to parents about their children's care, learning and development, and took into consideration their views.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff at appropriate times during the day.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have attended relevant training and are aware of what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. The provider follows robust recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of all staff working with children. They review appointments on an ongoing basis to make sure nothing has changed since their last checks. The well-qualified staff team works together well and attends regular training which helps to enhance their knowledge. It assesses children's development well and uses information gathered on individual children's learning to quickly identify any gaps in their learning and plan for additional support if needed. The manager makes contact with other pre-school settings that children also attend each term. This means that there is a consistency in care and learning for the children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Child-friendly, well-resourced play areas indoors and outdoors enable children to make choices in their play in all areas of learning. Since the previous inspection, the pre-school has increased children's enjoyment of books to aid their literacy skills. Staff encourage children to try things for themselves. For example, children became engrossed in fitting pieces of train tracks together and were thrilled to make the shape they wanted. The management team oversees checks on children's learning well. For instance, it compares different groups of children and puts effective support in place to enable children to catch up and make good progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are kind, polite, cooperative and considerate to one another. For example, they ask others for permission to join in with their play. Children have plenty of opportunities to be physically active throughout the session and can use the large outdoor area when they choose. Wet-weather clothing available means that children can use the outdoors in all weathers. Children take great joy in exploring the large puddles in the garden and skilfully climb on the pirate ship. The pre-school effectively encourages children's good health. For instance, children know they need to wash their hands before they eat and they enjoy the nutritious snacks provided.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are keen and active learners who develop valuable future skills. They engage happily in their play and show motivation and confidence from a young age, such as singing favourite rhymes. The youngest children develop excellent writing, communication and physical skills as they skilfully negotiate the garden and use play equipment with skill.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 507888 Local authority West Berkshire (Newbury) Inspection number 1058773 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 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person The Colourful Caterillar Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 September 2012 Telephone number 01635 872008

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reference number

The colourful caterpillar preschool opened in 1992. It operates from Thatcham Children's Centre, a community building in the heart of Thatcham in West Berkshire. Sessions run from 9am to 11.30am and from 12.30pm to 3pm, with lunch clubs from 11.30am to 12noon and 12noon to 12.30pm. The pre-school employs nine staff.

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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.

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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.

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reference number

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reference number

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

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