Mulberry Preschool

Mulberry Preschool Mulberry Road, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WB

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 February 2018 20 March 2015

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

 The staff and management team have a good collaborative working partnership to ensure the pre-school is continuously improving. For example, they are developing the outside area extensively to include interesting and exciting resources, such as role-play and digging areas, to support children in their learning.  The manager supports staff to develop professionally by providing relevant training courses. For example, a training course on speech and language has resulted in targeted teaching.  The staff interact well with children. They build on what children know and can do. Children make good progress in all areas of learning.  Children enjoy warm and close relationships with staff, who support their needs well. Staff have very good partnerships with parents and carers, who say they are happy with the nurturing and care their children receive.  Staff promote healthy lifestyles, for example, children enjoy healthy snacks and staff

p.1

This provision is good

provide them with plenty of opportunities for physical activity and rest.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently gather information from all those involved in children's development to target children's goals and plan next steps from the beginning to help them make the best possible progress.  On occasions, staff do not make the best use of resources during activities to extend children's language development.

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

 improve the sharing of information, to help staff consistently identify children's starting points accurately and plan for their next steps in learning  make better use of the learning environment to enrich children's language during play activities.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to staff and children, and reviewed the resources available.  The inspector held a meeting with the management team about leadership and management and looked at relevant documentation.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector closely observed the staff's interactions with children and discussed the effectiveness of the activities with them.  The inspector spoke to some parents about the setting and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

All staff show dedication and enjoyment in working with children. Safeguarding is effective. Management follows robust procedures when recruiting staff. Through continuous self-reflection, the manager and staff address any weaknesses in practice and identify areas for improvement. For example, they have introduced a wider range of activities, which supports staff in challenging children to solve problems and think independently. For instance, children use natural ingredients, such as plants and leaves, to make 'potions' in the mud kitchen and negotiate climbing over large tractor tyres outside. The manager has introduced systems for tracking children's progress to help improve accuracy and consistency. Parents say they are happy with the exciting and challenging environment the staff provide and the progress their children make.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan activities that focus on children's interests and needs. For example, staff support children who are going to school by providing plenty of writing activities, such as painting, drawing, and using mark-making tools in the sand. Staff skilfully use mathematical language as they play alongside the children. Such as counting in sequence at every opportunity and talking about the size, density, and weight of items. Staff generally model good language and clear speech, to support young children with their communication and language development, such as when they talk about their favourite stories at story time. Staff plan activities well and meet the needs of all children. For example, children enjoy planting broad beans, watering them, and watching them grow through the summer season.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff recognise children's individuality very well. They provide consistent behavioural expectations and are positive role models. Staff support children to share and take turns. For example, children of different ages take it in turns to climb and slide down the large climbing frame outside, learning to stay safe. Children relate well to the staff and confidently seek their attention. Staff encourage children to learn about the world in which they live very effectively, such as planning different days of cultural celebrations throughout the calendar year.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress that helps them to prepare for their next stage of learning at school. For example, they develop good writing skills, and write letters and make marks with pens on paper. Children develop good social skills and are independent, such as putting on their coats to go outside. Children really enjoy their day as they take part in a wide variety of activities, including play dough, painting and singing songs, and are physically active.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 511344 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1091193 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 29 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Mulberry Pre-School

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 20 March 2015 Telephone number 02380 660354

p.4

reference number

Mulberry Preschool registered in 2001. The pre-school opens five days a week during term time only, with daily sessions from 8.30am to 3.30pm, including a lunch club. The pre- school offers free early education to children aged two-, three- and four-years-old. There are 11 staff, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications.

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