Small Wonders Pre-school

Small Wonders Pre-school Crownhill Meeting Place, Lennon Drive, Crownhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK8 0AS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 July 2018 18 June 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 The outdoor environment is inspirational and children have excellent opportunities to develop their muscles as they enjoy the physical challenges offered to them.  Children respond well to the high level of warmth and affection offered by their key person and the whole staff team. Their emotional well-being is very well supported as staff tailor individual activities to children's interests.  Staff develop positive partnerships with parents. They plan innovative opportunities for children and families to learn how to keep themselves healthy.  The manager makes sure gaps in children's learning are quickly identified, and acted upon, so that all children make good progress relative to their starting points.  The staff team uses self-evaluation well and it has developed good systems to monitor and target areas to improve.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff miss opportunities to fully support the youngest children to develop their language skills and extend their learning.

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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

 enhance the already good teaching to ensure all younger children are fully supported in their play.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and talked about her management processes and her self-evaluation.  The inspector talked to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector spoke with parents on the day of inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector had a tour of the areas used by the pre-school and observed the activities in the main room and the outside area.  The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, such as children's attendance registers, and evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager has high expectations of herself and her staff. She effectively reviews the quality of the setting and monitors children's learning. Recent training has had an impact and the manager has made positive changes to enable her to track children's progress more accurately. Most staff are qualified and the manager identifies training and support for staff to enhance their professional development further. Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and know the steps to take if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Parents comment very favourably on the positive relationships they have with their child's key person. For example parents explain that, 'The day I walked in was the best day for my child. Staff always go the extra mile for each individual child.'

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a wide range of activities that children are excited by, and confident to explore. Children are enthusiastic to play and learn indoors and outdoors. Staff skilfully observe children as they play to identify their next steps in learning. Children engage in early literacy activities. For example, they paint their name on their pictures, write labels, and have opportunities to read simple words and link letters to sounds. Adults sensitively support children to develop their understanding of mathematics, for example, as they count objects in their play, and break dough into halves. Children are active in their learning. For example, they hunt outside for spiders and talk about their body parts.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The enthusiastic staff team plans an excellent range of stimulating activities, which supports children to play imaginatively. Children show high levels of independence and their behaviour is exemplary as they play. They feel secure and confident to express their views, and to follow their own interests in their learning. For example, children decide on their preferred size of paintbrush and the best container to fill with water. Older children step in to help younger ones carry the bucket, and they all demonstrate immense pride in the completed painted fence. Staff are highly skilled and sensitive to children's needs as they support them to form secure emotional attachments in the pre-school. Children develop a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and how to manage risk and challenges. For example, they climb steep steps, play with real-sized objects and talk to visitors who work in their community, such as firefighters and dentists.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children have plentiful opportunities to make choices and be creative in their play. They are highly motivated and very eager to join in activities with their friends. Children whose starting points are below those of others of their age catch up quickly. All children learn a good range of skills that prepares them for their next stage of learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141780 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 1089619 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 37 Name of registered person Small Wonders Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 18 June 2015 Telephone number 01908 263995

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reference number

Small Wonders Pre-school registered in 1993. It is located in Milton Keynes. The pre- school operates five days a week, term time only, from 8.30am until 2.30pm. The pre- school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school manager has achieved 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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