Amber Pre-School

Amber Pre-School Scout Hut, Amberley Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4LN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 May 2018 22 October 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 establish positive relationships with children. They know them well and have a good understanding of their individual needs and stage of development.  The manager and staff have developed good partnerships with parents. For example, they communicate with them in a variety of ways and hold parents' evenings to share information about their children's learning.  Staff have a good knowledge of children's interests and use these to provide an inviting setting that encourages children to explore and learn. Children make good progress in all areas of development.  The manager and staff understand the importance of evaluating their practice and identifying areas to improve. For example, since their last inspection, they have improved access to the book and role-play areas. This has seen an increase in children using these spaces.  The manager and staff readily share information with other settings that children

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This provision is good

attend. They work collaboratively to ensure children's next steps in learning are suitable and that they are making good progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, some staff do not support or extend learning opportunities during planned activities to promote children's development fully.  Occasionally, the organisation of the environment does not enable staff to support children's choice of activities as well as they would like.

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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

 strengthen further staff's practice with regard to enabling them to extend and challenge children's learning consistently during planned activities  consider the arrangement of the environment and activities on offer to ensure children are supported effectively.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and staff's interactions with children indoors and outdoors.  The inspector spoke to children, staff and the manager at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector took part in a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector viewed a range of written documentation and tracked some children's progress.  The inspector spoke to some parents to gain their views about the setting and staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff confidently explain the procedures they would follow if they had concerns about children's safety or welfare. They have a secure knowledge of the signs to be aware of and their role in reporting their concerns. Recruitment and induction procedures are effective. The manager ensures that staff complete a robust induction and receive ongoing supervision sessions and training to maintain their suitability. Staff are encouraged to choose which training they would like to attend. For example, some staff have received behaviour management training. This has provided them with effective strategies to use within the setting and help promote positive behaviour. The manager monitors children's progress well. She reviews development records and discusses children's progress and next steps with their key persons to ensure they are suitably challenging to aid their progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide children with an environment that motivates them to explore independently. They make good use of daily routines to provide opportunities for learning. For example, children find their name cards when they arrive and pass them to staff. Children enjoy leading their own play and have excellent imaginations. For example, during the inspection, small groups used dressing-up resources and confidently discussed how to escape a fire. Staff provide well-planned activities and engage children quickly. For example, they showed them a variety of cut-up vegetables and encouraged them to make marks with paint. Staff asked children what the vegetables looked like and to describe the shapes they had made. Children used language such as 'it's prickly' and 'I've made circles'.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are very happy and settled at the setting. Parents confirm that their children settled very quickly when they started and thoroughly enjoy their time. Children have formed strong bonds with staff and other children, but also demonstrate the independence to play on their own. Children behave well and as expected for their age. They are learning to manage any differences in opinion and consider other people's feelings. For example, they use sand timers to ensure that the sharing of resources is fair. Children have good opportunities to learn about taking responsibility for themselves and keeping safe. For example, children select their chosen fruit at snack time and use knives to prepare it.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and are developing the skills needed for future learning, including school. They enjoy making marks in a variety of ways and give meaning to them. They concentrate for periods of time and persevere when completing chosen tasks. All children, even the youngest, are learning to manage their own personal needs. For example, they wash their hands, use the toilet and get ready to go outside.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113356 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 1126619 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 18 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Amber Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 22 October 2015 Telephone number 01403 272173

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reference number

Amber Pre-School registered in 1984 and is located in Horsham, West Sussex. It is open during term time only, Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2.45pm, and on Friday from 9am to midday. The provider receives funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. A total of seven staff are employed, of whom, five hold recognised early years qualifications, including the manager who has a foundation degree.

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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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