Milton Park Pre-School

Inspection of Milton Park Pre-School c/o Milton Park Primary School, Eastney Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 8ET

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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

Children are busy and purposeful learners at Milton Park Pre-School. They enjoy a good range of activities that staff plan to help children's learning. Children blow bubbles, paint fences with water and explore a tray full of coloured paper with enthusiasm. Children show positive attitudes to learning. They are curious and self- motivated to explore and investigate the many resources that the staff provide. Children develop good manners and clearly understand the staff's expectations for positive behaviour. Children behave well. They effectively communicate to their friends and the staff as they play.

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The provision is good

Younger children benefit from playing with older children. This helps them make new friends and learn social skills. Older children are caring towards the younger children. They show them how to play with resources and where to tidy away resources at the end of the morning. Children clearly enjoy their time at the pre- school. However, at times, staff do not make the best possible use of children's learning time. Occasionally, staff do not fully support children's learning to the highest levels.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children well. They build effective partnerships with parents, who share information about what their children can do at home. Staff know what children like to play with. They use this knowledge to plan activities that interest children and support the next steps in their learning. Children draw shapes in shaving foam as they try to form letters. This supports their early writing skills. n Children regularly borrow books from the pre-school staff to share with their parents and carers at home. Staff read stories to children in an exciting and engaging manner. Children stomp like the elephants in a story and use musical instruments to represent different animals. This helps children to develop early reading skills and a love of stories. n Staff help children to develop their physical skills. They crawl, climb, hop and jump around obstacle courses. They kick balls and run energetically outdoors.

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need to do better?

Staff chat to children about nutritious food choices during social lunchtimes. Staff help children to learn about developing a healthy and active lifestyle. However, at times, staff do not organise activities and routines effectively. Children occasionally wait for staff unnecessarily. This can disrupt children's learning time in the pre-school. n Staff support children's emotional development well. New children quickly settle in to play at the pre-school, helped by sensitive and warm care from staff. Children form strong bonds with familiar adults. n Staff support children who are learning English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities to close any gaps in their

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need to do better?

24 January 2020 learning. However, at times, staff do not make the most of all teaching opportunities that arise as children play. Some children could develop the skills they need to move on to the next stage in their education faster. n Staff carefully consider the use of additional funding to support children's learning. They offer all children the same chances and opportunities in the pre- school, such as going on visits in the local community. n Parents report they are very happy with the care and support staff provide for their children. Staff work well with other professionals involved with children. This ensures high levels of continuity for children's care and learning. n The manager and chairperson of the pre-school committee understand their roles. They monitor the quality of teaching and the curriculum effectively, to ensure children consistently benefit from good-quality learning experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their role to keep children safe and promote their well-being at all times. They attend regular training in safeguarding and know what actions to follow if they have any concerns about children's welfare. Staff recruitment and ongoing supervision is robust. The manager regularly checks staff are suitable to work with children. Staff make good use of risk assessments to help identify and minimise any hazards in the learning environments. This helps to ensure the pre- school is a safe place for children to play and learn.

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should:

n make the most of teaching opportunities that arise as children play, to help them to develop the skills they need to move on to the next stage in their education n review the organisation of daily routines, so that children do not have to wait unnecessarily and so that they have time to get deeply engaged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 143500 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10128695 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Milton Park Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07546215327 Date of previous inspection 9 December 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Milton Park Pre-School is situated in the Milton area of Portsmouth, Hampshire, and is managed by a committee. It was registered in 1992. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 8.45am until 3.20pm, during term time only. Children can attend the pre-school for sessions or all day. There are 10 members of staff, of whom eight hold early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk. The manager explained how the early years provision is organised. n The inspector and manager completed joint observations of staff and children's interactions. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at suitable times during the inspection. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and the chairperson of the pre- school committee. n The inspector sampled documentation, including evidence of staff suitability checks and children's records.

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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

24 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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