The BigTop Pre-School

The BigTop Pre-School Bedgrove Pavilion, Bedgrove Park, Ambleside, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP21 9TT

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Inspection date 9 October 2018 Previous inspection date 25 March 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager has a very positive approach to make improvements and raise the quality of the provision. She works effectively with staff and the local authority to evaluate their practice and implement action plans to help improve the outcomes for children. n Staff provide stimulating activities and provide a good variety, which successfully supports different areas of children's learning and development. Children enjoy learning and make good progress. n There is an effective key-person system which successfully promotes children's development and emotional well-being. Caring and nurturing staff listen attentively to children and use what they know about children's interests and routines to ensure they feel safe and secure. n Parents praise the friendly and welcoming staff. They note how well their children settle and enjoy attending the pre-school. Parents comment on the strong communication between staff and families, on the progress of their children and how well they are

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Partnership working with other settings children attend is not fully effective to ensure children receive consistent support. n At times, staff do not inform children about what is happening next and tend to interrupt their play to move them on to another activity. This means that opportunities for children to complete their play naturally and to their satisfaction are not fully maximised.

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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

n strengthen partnership working with other settings that children attend to share more information about children's learning and development to help ensure consistent support n develop the organisation of daily routines so that children are aware of what is happening next to give them time finish their play to their own satisfaction.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector viewed samples of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability, qualifications and the setting's self-evaluation form. n The inspector observed children engaged in activities indoors and outside. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection. n The inspector spoke with children and staff during the inspection, and held a meeting with the manager and provider to discuss the leadership and management of the setting.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and all staff understand their role in protecting children from harm. They are fully aware of the steps to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare and understand the wider issues surrounding child protection. The management team ensures that staff keep their knowledge up to date, and reviews the pre-school's policies and procedures regularly. Recruitment procedures are robust. Ongoing mentoring and meetings help ensure the suitability of staff and allow the manager to support their professional development. There are effective systems to identify gaps in children's learning. Staff work well as a team and are fully aware of their daily responsibilities. Staff supervise children well, and use risk assessments and checklists, to help them keep them safe.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff carefully organise the indoor and outdoor area, so that children have opportunities to play with a wide range of toys and resources. They get to know the children well through regular observations and discussions with parents, and provide activities that build on children's interests. Children enjoy spending time at the pre-school. They play imaginatively in the role-play areas and are eager to work together in the builders yard and to make and serve meals in the outdoor cafe. Staff interact purposefully and skilfully question children, helping support their communication and language skills. They get down to the children's level and join in with their play experiences. Children enjoy exploring how things feels. For example, they eagerly investigate different textures, such as sand, water, play dough and paint. Children have a wide range of opportunities to learn about the natural world. For instance, they go on walks and observe wildlife in the

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children develop secure attachments with staff and settle into the pre-school with ease. Staff gather a good range of information from parents when children first start to help support children's emotional well-being and their ongoing care needs. Children behave well. They know what staff expect from them and take responsibility for themselves. For example, they know where to put their belongings when they arrive. Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles. They enjoy nutritious snacks which include fruit and vegetables. All children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they enjoy daily outdoor play and regular walks in the surrounding area. Children learn about other people's similarities and differences in the wider world. For instance, they learn about the traditions of other cultures and festivals.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress, taking into account their starting points, in preparation for their future learning and their eventual move to school. Children develop early literacy skills as they practise writing their names and listening to stories. They have good opportunities to develop their creative skills, and accessible resources enable them to choose to make marks, draw and paint.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY231935 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 10060733 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Big Top Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 25 March 2015 Telephone number 01296 427 861 or 07814 828 088

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reference number

The Big Top Pre-School registered in 2002. It is open from 9.15am until 3.15pm on Monday and Tuesday and from 9.15am until 12.15pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four. It employs nine members of staff, six of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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