Castle Pre-School Ltd

Castle Pre-School Ltd The Community Building, Court Lane Junior School, Hilary Avenue, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 2PP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 May 2017 21 April 2015

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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 use a range of ways to engage with other settings as partners in children's learning. For example, teachers from the local school are invited to spend time in the setting where they receive information regarding aspects of children's development.  Teaching is consistently good and staff take into account children's individual needs and interests. Children are eager to participate in the activities, are motivated to learn and focus well. They gain good skills in readiness for school.  The manager and staff know the children well. They observe and assess children's development frequently to identify any gaps in achievement. Staff use children's interests in order to plan to help them achieve their next stage of learning.  Self-evaluation is good. The manager and staff identify areas for improvements. For example, they access training to ensure all staff are improving on their own skills. This

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This provision is good

has a positive impact on the children's learning experiences.  Children settle well and are secure in the setting. They have a good relationship with staff and one another. They are able to play cooperatively together and are respectful to each other's needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Strategies to engage all parents in supporting, and sharing information about, their children's learning are not fully effective.

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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

 offer ways to help parents support their children's learning and to share information about children's achievements at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the impact of teaching on children's learning.  The inspector carried out a leadership and manager discussion with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents to seek their views about the setting.  The inspector observed children and staff during activities and assessed the quality of teaching.  The inspector observed staff interacting with children indoors and outdoors.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. For example, the manager and staff have all completed safeguarding training and have a good awareness of the local procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. They regularly check the setting and garden to keep children safe. Safe recruitment procedures are followed and staff's ongoing suitability is checked regularly. The manager monitors children's progress carefully, which helps staff to identify and plan for any gaps in children's learning. The manager supports the staff well and they attend a range of training opportunities to help them improve on their teaching skills. For example, staff attended training to encourage children's speech and language skills more effectively.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are skilled at supporting children's learning and are eager to ensure children are able to develop their own curiosity. For example, they encouraged children to experiment with different coloured paints to make the colour grey. Staff model language by talking to children and introducing new words, such as, chameleon and flamingos. They explain how chameleons change their colours to become camouflaged in their environment. Staff encourage good mathematical vocabulary, such as during daily cooking activities. For example, children know if they rest their hand on the scales it will weigh heavier. They confidently know when to add the ingredients to the bowl ready to mix.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have good opportunities to be healthy. They enjoy their healthy snacks and are keen to be outdoors. They engage in fun activities that help them to learn about the differences and similarities between themselves and others, such as making their own onion bhajis with the help of a parent. Children behave well. They are able to take turns and are polite to each other. Children develop good physical skills. For example, they enjoy being active in the local park. They acquire a good sense of emotional well-being. Children are good at keeping themselves safe and they show self-control in a range of situations. For example, they are keen to help tidy away activities before mealtimes.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children use their imagination well and confidently share what they are learning with their friends. For example, they pretend to be a vet and use the stethoscope to see if the animals are breathing. Children enjoy writing their own appointments using the small pads and pens available to them. Children concentrate well, such as when asked questions about two- and three-dimensional shapes. They show delight when they recognise a flat shape correctly. Children are independent at mealtimes; they collect their own snacks and peel their own fruit. They gain useful skills in readiness for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378932 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 1093537 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Castle pre-school ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 April 2015 Telephone number 07724110966

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reference number

Castle Pre-School opened in 1997 and registered with Ofsted in 2001. It is located in Cosham, Portsmouth. The pre-school is open from 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during school terms. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are four staff employed to work with the children and all staff hold a relevant childcare qualification. The manager has a degree in early years.

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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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