Sunflower Pre-School

Sunflower Pre-School Germander Park County First School, 1 Germander Place, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK14 7DU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 February 2018 16 January 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

 Children are very happy and settled in the pre-school. They are motivated to learn and demonstrate good levels of confidence, showing they feel safe and secure.  The pre-school is led by a competent and highly enthusiastic manager. She reflects on practice constantly and knows what needs to further improve.  Staff work very well as a team. They are enthusiastic and supportive of each other as they constantly observe children in their play and robustly monitor children's progress.  Staff have established good working partnerships with parents and other professionals. They work closely together to ensure that children in their care receive consistency in their learning.  Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well to ensure they make good progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, there are aspects of the routine that do not maximise learning opportunities for children.  Staff undertake professional development; however, this is not yet robustly linked to improve teaching to match children's individual learning needs.

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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

 review the daily routine to maximise children's learning potential inside and outside  fine tune staff development opportunities to precisely match children's individual learning needs.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a sample of documents to check how well staff are keeping children safe.  The inspector talked to staff and observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, in order to assess how well children are learning.  The inspector discussed a sample of children's records with staff, and reviewed how well they share information with parents.  The inspector completed joint observations with the pre-school manager and discussed staff interaction and children's learning and development.  The inspector spoke to children, parents and committee members at convenient times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a clear understanding of the steps to take if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Effective recruitment procedures ensure all adults are suitable to work with children. The manager closely monitors the delivery of the educational programme, and accurately tracks all children's progress. She supports staff to identify, and take prompt action, to close any gaps in children's learning. As a result, all children, including those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress. Parents are well informed about their children's progress and are given support to understand how they can help their children's learning at home. The manager encourages staff to further their qualifications, and staff share their learning with their colleagues and this has positive impact on pre-school practice. The manager meets with local Reception teachers to understand how the pre-school can further support children in becoming ready for

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide rich opportunities for children's learning, through a range of well planned activities. Children are developing their understanding of mathematics; for example, as they build obstacle courses and pirate boats with wooden blocks. They use their imaginations and decide to build a ship's gangplank high enough out of the water to avoid the crocodile. Adults skilfully help them measure how long the plank needs to be, and support them in simple calculations. Children engage in early literacy activities; they are encouraged to write their name, and older children have opportunities to read simple words and link letters to sounds. Staff sing songs and read stories to children. They take time to explore children's understanding of the story and model new words to develop their vocabulary.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are good role models and support children to share and cooperate together as they play. Staff talk to children and encourage them to take care of their environment. They teach them to put resources away carefully so others can use them; for example at 'Team Tidy' time. Children are learning how to keep themselves healthy, and staff plan opportunities for children to explore new tastes and textures. Children learn where food comes from; for example, as they peel hard boiled eggs and talk about the hens that laid them. All children, including the youngest, are developing high levels of self-esteem and independence. Parents confirm children are quick to settle in and grow in confidence.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are given the challenge they need to think through problems and work out solutions for themselves. All children have plentiful opportunities to make choices and be creative in their play. They confidently access the resources on offer, and are eager to join in with activities. All children develop a good range of skills that prepare them for their next stage of learning and their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY307484 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 1085831 Type of provision Full-time 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 48 Name of registered person Sunflower Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 January 2015 Telephone number 01908 528934

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reference number

Sunflower Pre-School registered in 1997 and re-registered in the current premises in 2005. It operates from self-contained space in Germander Park County School, in Conniburrow, Milton Keynes. The pre-school operates five days a week, term time only, from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs five members of staff. All staff hold relevant childcare qualifications, including the manager who has Early Years Professional Status.

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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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