First Steps Pre-School

Inspection of First Steps Pre-School The Drill Hall, 72A Middle Street South, Driffield YO25 6QF

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children receive a warm welcome from caring and considerate staff when they arrive at the pre-school. They are absorbed in the exciting and meaningful learning experiences. For example, they build and construct houses with small bricks indoors, and an obstacle course outside with crates and planks of wood. Children thoroughly enjoy painting their representation of a shark. These activities have a positive impact on children's progress.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy taking part in music and movement sessions. They happily join in with staff as they move their bodies to the music. Children are excited, interested and motivated to learn. They are active and this promotes their physical skills.

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The provision is good

Children are well behaved. They learn good manners and to share and take turns with resources and equipment. Children's health is supported well. They listen and respond to instructions promptly. For instance, they wash their hands thoroughly on arrival and before meals. Children are confident. They move around the pre- school rooms and go outside and into the outdoor classroom pod with ease. Their growing independence is supported effectively. For example, they change into wellingtons and know they have to knock to re-enter the pre-school from outdoor play. Children gain the skills they need for the next stages in their learning, including when they move on to school.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. Staff have a clear understanding of how young children learn. However, staff do not provide consistently high levels of challenge as children play and engage in activities. Staff do not maximise opportunities to help ensure that children achieve their highest potential. n Children enjoy the wide range of activities. They play with great enthusiasm. Children learn about texture as they explore a wealth of materials such as foam, paint, sand and water. However, sometimes, staff do not make the most of opportunities to promote literacy skills such as early writing abilities. Some staff intervene too quickly to write children's names for them. n Children enjoy playing with construction materials. Staff introduce language for height, comparison and size. They teach children well through their interactions. Staff introduce children to mathematics as they play, helping them to count and

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need to do better?

discuss shapes. n Children's love of books is greatly encouraged. Staff engage children well as they animatedly read familiar stories. They provide props to enhance these and children join in with familiar words and phrases. Children show good levels of concentration. n Children develop good communication skills. Staff model language well and

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need to do better?

13 March 2020 introduce new words, such as 'translucent'. They use repetition and help children to expand sentences. This helps to build on children's growing vocabulary. n Children are learning to stay safe while taking managed risks. For example, they develop their physical skills as they negotiate an obstacle course. Children move nimbly, demonstrating good levels of balance and control. They concentrate and keep trying until they succeed. n Children settle well. Strategies for easing transitions into the pre-school and on to school are effective. Staff visit new children and their families in their home to help them get to know children. They work closely with parents and other professionals in supporting children's move to school. n Children develop confidence and independence. They demonstrate positive attitudes and learn to socialise with others. A variety of experiences are provided for children to go on outings within the local community. For example, they visit

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need to do better?

a care home for older people. n The qualified manager and childcare staff closely monitor children's progress. This helps staff to target areas where children require further intervention. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported through effective partnerships with parents and external agencies. n The manager supervises staff well. She offers childcare staff regular one-to-one meetings, and staff say they feel supported in their role. They attend further training to build on their current knowledge and skills. This has a positive impact on the quality of teaching. n The manager and staff reflect together as a team. They identify strengths within the pre-school and areas to improve. This has led to the ongoing development of the outside areas. Parents' feedback is highly positive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and childcare staff are knowledgeable about child protection issues. They identify the potential signs and symptoms of abuse or radicalisation. All staff know the different indicators of abuse or neglect and understand the procedure to follow to report any concerns. The manager ensures staff are suitable and have the necessary skills to carry out their roles. Staff are deployed effectively to help keep children safe. The pre-school is safe and secure.

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should:

n place more emphasis on developing children's early literacy skills so that their progress in this area of learning is accelerated n help children to contribute more in activities and extend their learning to higher levels.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 314628 Local authority East Riding of Yorkshire Inspection number 10062782 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 67 Name of registered person First Steps Pre-School (Driffield) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01377 241117 Date of previous inspection 24 May 2016

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Information about this early years setting

First Steps Pre-School registered in 1999. The pre-school employs 10 members of staff. Of these, seven childcare staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including the manager. The pre-school operates from Monday to Friday, from 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 3.30pm, term time only. A lunch club is also available each day. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector engaged in discussions with staff and children throughout the inspection at appropriate times. She held a meeting with the pre-school manager. n The inspector viewed all areas of the premises used by children. She observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector discussed documentation, including public liability insurance, policies and procedures, and the qualifications and suitability checks of staff and students. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. She discussed the self-evaluation and the impact this has on the pre-school. The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

13 March 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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