Birchanger Butterflies Preschool

Inspection of Birchanger Butterflies Preschool Birchanger Primary School, Birchwood, Birchanger, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5QL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children have fun playing in the garden and thoroughly enjoy the freedom to take measured risks. After confidently climbing planks and crates children jump from one side of a tractor tyre to the other. They ask 'did you see me' showing great pride in this achievement. Playing in the water tray young children concentrate well. Pushing a small boat to the bottom of the tray they discover with delight that when they let go, it quickly rises to the top. Fascinated by this new discovery they repeat this action, showing good physical skills as they firmly push against the resistance of the water.

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The provision is good

Older children enjoy group time, they sit at tables and show good levels of focus and concentration as they take part in planned activities. Children interact with staff, enthusiastically telling them what they are doing. Children are well behaved for their stage of development and have a good attitude to learning. Older children share well with others. For example, they kindly give a child, who is upset, the football they were playing with. Children collaborate well as they chat amiably with friends, making up storylines about what they are doing. They tell adults they are not scared of a 'big hairy giant' and pretend to chase after him.

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need to do better?

n Children are happy and settled in the pre-school. They know that if they are worried or upset, they can 'talk to the teachers'. n The provider has adapted daily routines, in view of COVID-19 (coronavirus), to ensure the good health of children. Drop-off and collection arrangements have been altered so that parents no longer come into the pre-school and additional cleaning measures have been implemented. n Staff capably encourage children to take risks and carefully consider how they can make activities safe for them and others. For example, they check that planks of wood are secure, and crates are lined up alongside tractor tyres. n The outdoor area is exciting and thoughtfully equipped. Staff have organised the space well and they successfully support the learning needs of all children. n Staff work in partnership working with other agencies, helping to ensure that there is an effective sharing of information. This promotes continuity in

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need to do better?

children's learning very well. n Children's independence is fostered effectively. Staff show young children how to put their arms in their coat and flip it over their head. They successfully encourage children to have a go at doing this themselves. n Policies and procedures are in place and are available to parents. This helps the provider and staff support the effective management of the pre-school. n Staff successfully use strategies that help children respond to questions in ways that support them to develop their ideas and thoughts. For example, they give

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need to do better?

18 May 2021 them plenty of time to think before answering. n Staff value children's contributions when they ask them how they manage to 'balance'. Older children are eager to show staff that putting their arms out from their sides stops them wobbling. The children thoroughly enjoy the praise given to them for this 'good idea'. Young children copy this, helping them to balance too. n The manager provides staff with a good level of support. She works alongside them and uses her observations to help their ongoing development. Staff are invited to regular supervision meetings and know that they can speak to the manager at any time as part of her 'open-door policy'. n During group time, staff provide children with large visual clues to help them learn and recognise a wide range of shapes. Children are excited when they successfully identify a triangle or a square. n The manager and her staff do not always make the most of information gained

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need to do better?

from young children's assessments, to help focus more precisely on what each child needs to learn next. n The manager does not make sure that feedback to parents consistently provides them with information that gives them the opportunity to further support their children's learning at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff have completed relevant safeguarding training, including what action they must take if they are worried about a child in their care. In addition, staff know what to do if they are concerned a child is being exposed to radical and extreme views. Staff are aware of who the pre-school's designated safeguarding leads are. The manager is clear about what action to take if a concern is raised about a member of staff. The manager makes sure she is aware of any changes to safeguarding guidance and legislation.

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should:

n use information gained from assessment more precisely, to plan for and target what younger children need to learn next to promote the best possible progress n enhance the good partnership with parents further so that all parents consistently receive ideas and suggestions about how they can support their child's individual learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY553900 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174135 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

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Birchanger Butterflies Pre-School CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01279810800 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Birchanger Butterflies Preschool registered in 2017 and is situated in the grounds of Birchanger Primary School. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Opening times are from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together. They observed activities in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments used by children. n The inspector observed a focused activity and evaluated this with the manager. n The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Children's records were looked at by the inspector along with a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures. n Evidence of staff qualifications and the suitability of all those working in the setting was checked by the Inspector. n The inspector spoke to parents at 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

18 May 2021 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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