Bill Quay Pre-School

Inspection of Bill Quay Pre-School Davidson Road, Bill Quay, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE10 0UN

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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 thrive in this friendly pre-school. Parents comment that staff are friendly and supportive. Children form excellent relationships with their key person and other members of staff. They arrive happily in the morning and settle quickly into the routines of the pre-school. Children talk confidently with members of staff. For example, young children play with a pretend zoo and a shop. They involve other members of staff in their play as they take on the role of shopkeeper.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of what children can achieve, overall. Older children demonstrate an excellent understanding of shape. They confidently talk about the names of solid and flat shapes, and use terms such as 'round' to describe them. Children also learn how to use knives correctly, to help them in preparation for starting school. Children behave well. They listen when other children are talking and are aware that they need to take turns with resources. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the pre-school staff are careful to ensure that children do not come into contact with children from classes in school. This helps to reduce the spread of infection and provides reassurance to parents that children are safe.

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need to do better?

n Staff do not plan some group activities well enough to provide consistently high levels of support and challenge to younger children. For example, staff plan some small-group activities to help older children to recognise numbers. They do not consistently consider what skills younger children need to learn next. As a result, not all children show high levels of involvement in group activities. n Staff plan activities to develop children's early writing skills. Children can access pencils, crayons and paper throughout the session. Staff encourage children to use writing within their play. For example, as children pretend to be at the shops, staff help them to write shopping lists. However, not all activities and resources that staff provide to develop children's early writing skills support their age or stage of development. n Staff support children effectively to develop their communication and language.

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need to do better?

They listen to children and repeat and comment on what they are saying. Staff use children's interests to develop conversations. For example, staff talk to quieter children about things that are of interest to them. Children become more articulate and begin to join simple phrases together when this happens. n Children learn about healthy eating. Staff plan activities in which children can make healthy food choices. For example, children make a pasta salad. They talk about what foods are healthy and learn that some meats, such as pepperoni, contain high amounts of fat and salt. n The manager evaluates her setting well. She monitors children's learning and takes effective action when she identifies areas of the curriculum that need

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need to do better?

14 July 2021 improving. For example, the manager takes swift action when she identifies that some children need further support with their health and self-care. She has identified that due to COVID-19, staff have attended fewer training courses. The manager has identified professional development opportunities as a result of this, to support staff further. n Staff plan opportunities to develop children's knowledge further. For example, during snack time, staff develop older children's knowledge of mathematics extremely well. Children talk about how many children would like apple and calculate how many pieces they will have if they halve two apples. n Children develop very good relationships with each other. They greet their friends happily and play together. For example, children enjoy making sounds on the pans and colanders outside. They talk together as they explore the different sounds they can make.

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need to do better?

n Staff have very good relationships with parents. Parents explain how staff use electronic communication help them to know what their child is doing. They get good ideas about the things they can do at home. Parents speak highly about the activities that the pre-school suggested during periods of closure, due to national restrictions. n The manager supports her staff well. Staff comment on the support they receive from the manager and other staff. They value the opportunity to share information at staff meetings. Staff feel comfortable to talk about any issues they may have. The manager holds regular supervision meetings with staff to talk about how things are going.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There are good procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, all gates into the school grounds and doors into the pre-school are secure. This means children cannot leave the room unsupervised. The indoor and outdoor areas are safe and well maintained. The manager and her staff team have a good knowledge of signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse to children. They know the procedures to follow should they have a concern about a child. Staff have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance.

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should:

n ensure that group activities support the skills that younger children need to learn next to provide consistently high levels of support and challenge n plan activities more carefully to develop children's early writing skills and support their age and stage of development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY388667 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 10131599 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

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Bill Quay Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 07923295512 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Bill Quay Pre-School registered in 2009. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for 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 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector talked to staff and children during the inspection. n The manager evaluated an activity with the inspector. n Parents talked to the inspector about their views of the pre-school. The inspector also took account of written feedback provided for the purpose of the inspection. n The inspector observed children playing and learning inside and outside. n The inspector interviewed the manager and other key members of staff. n The manager carried out a learning walk with the inspector and explained how the curriculum is organised.

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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

14 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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