Hilmarton Pre-school Playgroup

Hilmarton Pre-school Playgroup Poynder Place, Hilmarton, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 8SQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 November 2016 29 January 2014

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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

 Children and families are welcomed warmly into this small and friendly pre-school. Children have a strong sense of belonging. For example, they greet friends and settle very quickly into the daily routine. Staff support children's personal development particularly well.  Staff work very effectively. They plan sessions carefully and provide children with useful help and support in their learning. Children progress well. They learn about healthy lifestyles particularly effectively.  Children enjoy a wide variety of interesting and stimulating learning experiences. For example, they enjoy forest school sessions and many outings that enrich their learning. Children are very eager to learn.  Staff check children's progress accurately. They quickly identify any gaps in learning and take prompt action to help individuals catch up.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to extend children's learning fully, with particular regard to encouraging children to use their mathematical and early literacy skills.  Staff do not encourage parents to share children's achievements and interests and enable them to know how best to support their children's learning at home.

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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

 monitor the quality of teaching more precisely by concentrating on the impact of teaching on children's learning  strengthen partnerships with parents further by involving them more fully in their children's learning to enable them to better support children's learning at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed staff interacting with children during activities inside and in the outside play area. She spoke with staff and children at appropriate times.  The inspector held discussions with members of the management team.  The inspector undertook a joint observation of an activity with the manager.  The inspector sampled documents used by the pre-school, including evidence of staff suitability checks, children's records, risk assessments, policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of parents' views from speaking with several parents during the inspection and from their written comments.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager uses her qualification effectively and encourages staff professional development well. For example, she trains staff to take lead roles and encourages their research. There have been worthwhile improvements to the pre-school since the previous inspection. For example, staff have introduced 'forest school', which provides rich learning experiences. Safeguarding is effective. Staff are confident about how to recognise, record and report concerns. They thoroughly assess risks and take steps to minimise these. All staff have current paediatric first aid certificates and know precisely what to do if there is an accident. Leaders check that boys and girls have equal access to activities. For example, some boys are reluctant writers and staff plan activities that especially appeal to them. Staff have established good links with other professionals to ensure children receive the support they need.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide many exciting things to do so children are absorbed in exploratory play. For example, children discover that mixing sand and foam makes very good 'cement'. Staff question children well and encourage them to solve their own problems, for example, when they ask 'What can we use to make wheels?' Staff encourage children to play imaginatively, such as when using an enticing 'mud kitchen' in the woods. Staff channel any exuberant play effectively, for instance, into 'superhero' themes that capture children's imaginations. Staff extend children's communication and language skills well. For example, children learn to listen and speak clearly. Staff work effectively with schools to support the transfer process.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are very good role models and form strong relationships with children. Children are friendly and cooperative. They are kind, for example, the oldest children help the youngest ones to pour drinks. Children learn to manage risks very well, such as knowing how to stay safe near the campfire and deciding where a safe boundary should be in the woods. Children gain an excellent understanding of the importance of making healthy eating choices. For example, they frequently taste a range of fruits and vegetables and they talk about healthy foods in the role play shop. Children play energetically and with great enthusiasm every day.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to join in and express their views confidently. They develop good physical skills. They learn to do things for themselves, think creatively and make choices. They play together and behave well. The oldest children begin to link letters with sounds and are keen to start writing. Overall, children gain the skills they need for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY355474 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 1068830 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Hilmarton Pre School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 January 2014 Telephone number 07798 643 028

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reference number

Hilmarton Pre-school Playgroup opened in 1972 and registered in 2007. It operates from Hilmarton Community Hall near Calne, Wiltshire. It is run by a voluntary committee of parents. The pre-school opens on weekdays during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 2.45pm. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs five members of staff to work with the children. The manager and deputy both have an early years foundation degree, two staff hold childcare qualifications at level 3 and one member of staff is unqualified but working towards a qualification.

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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

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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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