Witnesham Pre-School

Inspection of Witnesham Pre-School Witnesham Primary School, High Road, Witnesham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 9EX

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is compromised as the management committee, as the registered provider, has not met a number of safeguarding and welfare requirements. The provider does not ensure that all records are easily accessible and has failed to oversee the ongoing suitability of staff. In addition, the provider does not ensure that staff receive ongoing supervision. Staff's first-aid certificates have lapsed and not all staff who prepare and handle food have received appropriate training.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are happy and thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They come in happily, settle well and explore lots of resources and activities. Children enjoy being outside and become deeply involved in their play. For example, they use their imagination while exploring the mud kitchen. Children are confident about what they have done and re-call special events, for instance, telling a visitor that they have a watch and had chocolate cake for their birthday.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children have a good relationship with the staff and feel safe and secure. Overall, children behave well, take turns and share with each other. They develop good friendship groups within the setting. Children experience a calm atmosphere during lunch and snack time. Staff sit alongside the children and support them to learn good social skills. Children are given plenty of time to enjoy their healthy and nutritious snack and lunch.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management of the setting is weak, and records are not easily accessible. The provider does not monitor the provision effectively. It has failed to ensure that there is at least one person on the premises who holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate. The provider is not offering appropriate supervision to the manager to effectively support her in her role. Staff supervisions are not carried out, which means that staff are not monitored effectively to complete training, such as food hygiene. The provider does not ensure that ongoing suitability checks are carried out on staff. This means that children's safety and welfare are not assured. n Staff have a clear intention of what they want children to learn and implement their curriculum effectively. Overall, the environment is engaging and supports children's inspiration to learn. Children develop social skills and build resilience, for example as they mix soil and water to make 'cakes'. They enjoy growing and

p.2

need to do better?

harvesting fruit and vegetables, climbing, running and playing ball games. The outside area in particular, offers children a wonderful learning opportunity. n Staff join in with children as they play. However, staff do not always recognise opportunities that arise to build on children's learning. For example, while building a tower, and marble run, staff step in too quickly. This means that

p.2

need to do better?

6 July 2021 children do not have enough time to problem solve and think for themselves. n Overall, staff support children's early language development well. They, generally, engage children when reading a story. However, staff do not always challenge children's curiosity. At times, they do not give children enough time to answer questions. This means that children are not always able to express their ideas. n Staff are passionate practitioners who have a good understanding, and demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff use additional funding appropriately to help children make good progress from their starting points. n Staff involve children in their decision making. For example, they ask children to choose what they would like for snack and together they plan the following week's menus. n Parents appreciate the support staff give them. They comment that staff are

p.2

need to do better?

always friendly and approachable. Staff use communication diaries to share information with parents about their children. n Children receive healthy snacks and lunch and are encouraged to independently select what they would like to eat. They are given the opportunity to help staff pick strawberries from the garden. Mealtimes are relaxed and a social occasion, where children enjoy talking to staff and show good table manners. n There is an effective key-person system in place. Staff have a good knowledge of children's individual strengths and areas of development. When their key person is absent, staff work well together to ensure a continuous approach to supporting children's individual needs.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Weaknesses in leadership and management means that children's safety is not assured. The provider does not ensure the ongoing suitability of staff, despite having suitable recruitment and induction procedures in place. Staff demonstrate an adequate understanding of safeguarding procedures. They can recognise the signs and symptoms of different types of abuse and know how to report concerns about children and adults in the setting. Staff know where relevant local contact details are kept if they need to report a concern. The manager has identified training for staff to attend to help widen their knowledge of safeguarding issues.

p.3

Due date

6 July 2021 make sure records are easily accessible and available 29/10/2021

p.3

Due date

ensure staff's paediatric first-aid certificates are maintained at all times 29/10/2021

p.4

Due date

put in place effective arrangements for the supervision of staff, to provide support, coaching and training and to contribute to the continued development of the setting 29/10/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff involved in preparing and handling food receive training in food hygiene 29/10/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure effective systems are in place to confirm staff's ongoing suitability to work with children. 29/10/2021

p.4

should:

n support staff to develop children's thinking and problem-solving skills more effectively, to help children demonstrate what they already know and can do.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY560862 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10191509 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person Witnesham Pre-School CIO

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01473 784934 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Witnesham Pre-School re-registered as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in 2018. It is run by a committee of trustees. There are four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the manager who holds a level five qualification. The setting is open from Monday to Friday, during term times. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The setting also offers a breakfast club from 8am. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. This inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to understand how the early years provision and curriculum are organised. n The inspector made observations throughout the inspection of children's experiences in the setting. n A Joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n Children spoke to the inspector about their experiences in the setting. n The inspector spoke to staff, and parents and carers, at appropriate times during the inspection. n A meeting was held with the manager. This included a review of relevant documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and training.

p.6

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

6 July 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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