Milford Pre-School Plus Ltd

Inspection of Milford Pre-School Plus Ltd Milford Pre-School Plus Ltd, Lymington Road, Milford on Sea, Hampshire SO41 0RF

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Practitioners warmly welcome children into the setting. Children feel safe and have secure attachments with all practitioners. Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They comment on how nurturing and caring the practitioners are. One parent commented, 'The setting is the best it has ever been.' Children are eager to come in and are keen to learn. Children are kind and caring towards each other. Practitioners support children in developing their independence and self-care skills. For example, children are becoming skilled in dressing themselves in waterproofs and wellies.

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The provision is good

Practitioners use their secure knowledge of each child to plan a varied and challenging curriculum. This means that all children make good progress from their starting points. They are also well prepared for the next stage of their learning.

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The provision is good

Practitioners are strong role models. They are consistent in their high expectations of children and children's behaviour. This leads to a calm and relaxed environment. Children can take turns with each other successfully using the resources provided. For instance, children take turns using a timer while using the computer.

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The provision is good

Children feel valued and listened to by practitioners. Practitioners take the time to show delight at children's creations. They recognise and celebrate the achievements of the children, no matter how big or small.

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need to do better?

n Children regularly take part in forest-school activities in 'Little Wood'. Children show an excellent understanding of the safety rules when using the area. They help practitioners identify areas where they need to take care, such as where the new daffodils are growing. Children take part in a vast range of exciting and stimulating activities. These include pond dipping, using a hammer and nails as well as cooking on an open fire. Children adore the opportunity to risk take, such as when they climb along balancing ropes between trees. They love to explore and to learn about the world around them. For example, children take part in a bird hunt using binoculars. Children confidently identify the different birds by listening to their birdsong. n There is a strong emphasis on partnership working with other agencies. There are good links with the other settings children attend. This includes sharing information and visiting children at their other settings. The management team

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need to do better?

has forged strong links with the on-site school. This supports children's transition into school as well as encouraging the joint use of the facilities available. The management team meets regularly with the school to share relevant information. Practitioners have also developed strong partnerships within the

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need to do better?

9 January 2020 local area. Children regularly take part in community events. For example, children made tree decorations for the village Christmas-tree displays. n Practitioners have excellent partnerships with parents. Children regularly take home activities to enjoy with parents. Practitioners host activities for parents regularly. For example, parents have recently joined children in forest school to toast marshmallows together. Practitioners frequently have informal meetings with parents about their child's progress. n The management team has a clear and ambitious vision. It has a development plan in place and is keen to continuously enhance the setting. Practitioners and parents speak highly of the new management team. They speak positively of the good levels of communication that are now in place. n The management team supports the practitioners effectively. It encourages practitioners to take on new challenges. The management team monitors

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need to do better?

performance, but supervision of staff is not yet embedded. The management team has plans in place to develop this further. n Children who are below and above typical levels of development have their needs catered for effectively. Practitioners are quick to identify any gaps in learning. They quickly put strategies in place to narrow any gaps. For instance, children who have speech and language delays take part in a regular language group. This encourages the development of their letter sounds. Practitioners skilfully challenge children who are above expected levels of development. For example, children take part in a mathematical group that teaches them how to add and subtract. n Practitioners are skilful in enriching older children's learning. For instance, older children learn about the solar system during a walk outside. However, younger children do not always have their learning extended and developed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Practitioners keep children safe at all times, especially when using the forest-school area as staff are highly vigilant. Practitioners have excellent knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They understand how to record and report concerns to the relevant bodies. All practitioners know how to report a concern about an adult. The provider has robust systems in place for recruiting. This ensures the suitability of new employees. The management team has a strong induction process in place. The provider has not always notified Ofsted of changes to the management team. However, this has had no impact on children's safety or well-being.

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should:

9 January 2020 n develop staff supervision processes further to provide consistent support and coaching to all staff n develop further adult-led activities with younger children so that they have more opportunities to be highly challenged and engaged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY350734 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10108653 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 Full day care Age range of children 2 to 11 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 112 Name of registered person Milford Pre-school Plus Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01590 644 684 Date of previous inspection 19 March 2013

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Information about this early years setting

The pre-school registered in 2007 and operates from a dedicated building within the grounds of Milford Primary School. It serves families from the local community and surrounding areas. Children use an outdoor play area and the school outdoor facilities. This includes an extensive forest-school area. Pre-school sessions operate from 8.30am to 3.10pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions and may stay all day. After-school sessions run from 3.15pm to 5.45pm. Pre-school and after-school sessions operate Monday to Friday, term time only. The holiday club runs from 8.45am to 5.45pm. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. It supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children learning English as an additional language. There are currently nine staff members. Of whom, six are qualified, with five at level 3 and one at level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The pre-school manager showed the inspector around the setting. n The inspector observed practitioners' practice and children's experiences as they took part in various activities indoors and outdoors. n The inspector attended a forest-school session. n Parents spoke to the inspector about their experiences at the pre-school. n The inspector held discussions with practitioners. n The pre-school manager and the inspector took part in a joint observation. n The business manager, pre-school manager and the inspector held a leadership and management discussion. n The inspector held a discussion with the chair of the pre-school.

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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

9 January 2020 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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