Isleham Pre-School

Inspection of Isleham Pre-School 3a Malting Lane, Isleham, ELY, Cambridgeshire CB7 5RZ

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision requires improvement

The manager and staff team provide a warm, welcoming environment. Children are excited to arrive and settle quickly. They select confidently from a range of resources and invite their friends to join in. Children welcome and greet each other during their group 'hello' song. They practise clapping and tapping their knees to a shared rhythm. Children are keen to share items from home during 'treasure box' time. They talk about their special events and recall recent activities at the pre- school.

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The provision requires improvement

Children demonstrate strong independence skills. They put their own coats on and help themselves to snacks and drinks. Children learn to keep themselves safe on outings, such as during a walk to the pre-school's allotment. They listen carefully to road safety instructions and understand the meaning of each traffic-light colour. Children recreate this as they play with friends on bicycles and scooters. They take turns to hold a traffic-light toy and call out the different colours. Children listen to staff and follow instructions well. Staff support them to relate to others, develop empathy and regulate their own behaviour. For example, children understand how to use sand timers and talk to staff about what will happen when the sand runs out.

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The provision requires improvement

The manager and staff reflect on their observations of children's play and feedback from parents when considering things to change or improve. Recent changes include the creation of a separate area for children using bicycles and ride-on toys. This promotes children's safety and encourages them to access a range of activities across the outdoor areas. However, weaknesses in leadership and management remain. For example, some staff qualifications are not current and updated as required.

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need to do better?

n The provider has not ensured sufficient staff keep their paediatric first-aid qualification up to date. As a result, there are no staff working at the pre-school with a current first-aid qualification. This is a breach of requirements. However, staff do have a good understanding of how to deal with accidents and emergencies, so any potential risk is minimised. For example, they know the plans in place to support children with specific medical needs or allergies. n The arrangements to observe and develop the quality of teaching are not fully embedded, in order to further improve outcomes for children. n Staff know children well. They plan interesting activities that support children's learning and interests. Staff regularly share information and hold meetings with parents to talk about their children's progress. n Staff teach children about their local community and wider world. For example,

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need to do better?

30 October 2019 children explore rangoli patterns and create clay models as they learn about the Diwali festival. This helps children develop their understanding of the world through meaningful experiences. n Children enjoy quiet moments looking at books with friends. They take turns to point at the illustrations and 'read' the pictures to their friends. Staff promote children's early literacy skills well. They read stories with enthusiasm and interesting voices. Children are keen to join in with familiar refrains and discuss the feelings and motivations of the characters. They also begin to develop an understanding of letters and their meaning. For instance, children carefully label drawings with their name. n Staff actively challenge gender stereotyping and ensure that all children feel valued and included. For example, when children comment that a male dog in a book cannot wear a tutu to dance, staff challenge this and emphasise his super

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need to do better?

ballet skills throughout the story. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They comment positively about staff's close relationships with children. Parents feel well informed about their children's learning and welcome ideas on how to continue children's learning at home. They appreciate the encouragement and support that the 'brilliant' staff provide.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff can identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report any concerns. They work well together and understand their responsibility to protect children from harm.

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Due date

ensure that at least one member of staff with a current paediatric first-aid certificate is present on the premises at all times. 29/11/2019

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements for staff observation and supervision to build on their good-quality teaching skills even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 221894 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10113213 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Isleham Under Fives Association

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reference number

Telephone number 01638 781 212 Date of previous inspection 11 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Isleham Pre-School registered in 1985 and employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager who holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only, from 8.30am until 3.30pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager took the inspector on a tour of the premises and explained how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector held a number of discussions with the provider, manager and committee members. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of all persons working on the premises. n The manager and the inspector carried out and evaluated a joint observation. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. She also took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

30 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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