Bushytails Pre-School

Inspection of Bushytails Pre-School Kingsthorpe Village Primary School, Knights Lane, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN2 6QL

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are greeted warmly by staff on their arrival to pre-school. Those that are less confident to separate from their parents are reassured sensitively by staff. Children are encouraged to talk to staff about how they feel, and have their feelings acknowledged. Children are sociable and friendly. They demonstrate positive relationships with each other and with staff. Children settle quickly and show that they feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children have access to a range of resources. They are free to make choices in their play. However, some play spaces and storage areas are cluttered and overloaded with equipment. Sometimes, children have difficulty in finding what they want to play with. On occasion, noise levels are high, resulting in children not concentrating on their chosen activities. That said, children are excited and eager to learn and join in with activities that interest them. However, staff do not make the most of these opportunities. They do not always have high enough expectations of what children can achieve to build on what children already know and can do.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children are familiar with the sequence of the day. They know to wash their hands when they arrive at pre-school. Children can choose when and what to have to eat from the 'snack bar'. They decide if they would like to play indoors or outside.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager and staff have worked together to make improvements to the quality of the provision. They have completed some training to help update their knowledge and skills. However, arrangements for the ongoing supervision and coaching of staff are not effective. The manager does not help staff to reflect fully on what they have learned. Staff do not use this new knowledge well to help make consistent changes in order to further improve their practice and experiences for children. n Children have fun at the pre-school. They demonstrate a strong interest in the natural world and enjoy playing outside. They dig for worms in soil and use magnifying glasses to get a closer look. Children identify that some worms are bigger than others. They enthusiastically share their discoveries with staff and visitors. Staff respond positively to children's interests. However, the lack of a

p.2

need to do better?

clearly planned curriculum results in children's interest being lost. At times, staff miss opportunities to expand on children's knowledge and understanding further. n Staff welcome all children into the setting and, overall, know children and their families well. They gather useful information from parents about children's individual needs and experiences from home. This includes details of those who

p.2

need to do better?

13 July 2021 need extra support. Staff encourage a continuous two-way exchange of information with parents. They provide daily feedback and encourage parents to view and make comments about their children's learning through online learning records. Parents comment that they feel well informed and that their children are well prepared for their move onto school. n Children benefit from opportunities to develop their physical and creative skills. They explore a range of different materials and media in the creative area. Children paint pictures and make marks using brushes on paper and use their fingers in trays of coloured salt. Children enjoy water play outside. They show good hand-to-eye coordination as they pour water from one container to another. Children watch closely as staff show them how water falls through the holes of sieves. They show their delight as the water falls onto their hands. n Children have access to a selection of books. On a one-to-one basis with staff,

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need to do better?

they show good levels of concentration and interest in non-fiction books. Children demonstrate a good knowledge of the subject matter and answer and ask questions confidently. However, group story times are less well planned by staff. They are less successful in capturing all children's engagement. For some children, the chosen stories are too complex and they lose interest quickly. At times, it is hard for children to hear as noise levels rise as children shout out and talk over each other. n Overall, children are independent and behave well. Staff encourage children to do things for themselves, such as chopping fruit at snack time. They help children to learn how to share and take turns. However, children are not consistently encouraged or motivated to tidy away toys when they have finished playing. This contributes to the increasingly untidy and, at times, hectic learning environment throughout the day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe. They have updated their knowledge of child protection procedures. Staff are aware of the signs and indicators of when a child may be at risk of harm. They know how to report any concerns. The manager ensures that she implements appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Risk assessments of the premises identify hazards to children and staff take action to minimise them. Staff deploy themselves effectively to ensure that children are supervised appropriately. Effective arrangements for the safe arrival and collection of children and security of the premises are in place.

p.3

Due date

improve arrangements for support and coaching of staff to help them develop their personal effectiveness to improve the learning and development experiences for children 19/08/2021

p.4

Due date

provide a clearly planned curriculum in order to expand and consistently challenge children's learning, and to help prepare them for their future learning 19/08/2021

p.4

Due date

improve the organisation of play areas, including the resources and equipment, in order to create a calm and positive learning environment for all children. 19/08/2021

p.4

should:

n review the arrangements for large group activities, such as story time, to ensure all children benefit from quality learning experiences.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY271062 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10151620 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 28 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Bushytails Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07765 970 912 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2020

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Bushytails Pre-School registered in 2003. The pre-school is located on the site of Kingsthorpe Village Primary School, Northampton. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications: three at level 5, two at level 4 and three at level 3. The pre- school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm, with a lunch club on Monday to Thursday from 11.45am until 12.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of activities and assessed the impact this has on children's enjoyment and learning. She completed a joint observation and a learning walk with the manager. n The inspector held meetings with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of feedback from parents.

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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 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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