Foresteers Outdoor Preschool

Inspection of Foresteers Outdoor Preschool Green Head House Farm, Oughtibridge Lane, Oughtibridge, Sheffield, Yorkshire S35 0HN

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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 are happy, curious and very well behaved. Staff provide a stimulating and challenging environment to support children to achieve well. They are ambitious for every child to achieve the best in their learning. Staff plan imaginatively to help children build on their skills and knowledge to prepare them for their future learning and starting school. For instance, children develop their coordination and muscle control when they join in with the actions of rhymes, saw wood or weave plants and fabrics. This supports children with the skills that they later need for pencil control and early writing. Staff help children to develop their independence, alongside recognising the importance of working together and supporting each other. Children feel safe and well cared for. Staff help children to take good care of themselves. For example, children understand the importance of washing their hands carefully. They learn to keep themselves safe in the woodland area they play

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The provision is good

and learn in. For example, they help to keep this area clean and free from damage. Children mix happily and easily with adults and their peers. Staff build strong bonds with the parents which contributes to children's assurance and sense of well-being.

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need to do better?

n Staff know their key children well. They use carefully considered induction procedures to help children settle smoothly into the pre-school's routines. Staff gather detailed information from parents to ensure that they know children's individual interests and needs, to plan for their future learning. Throughout the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staff have maintained close contact with families. They have provided a range of activities to engage and support children. This contributes to children's well-being and development. n Staff support the development of children's communication skills well overall. They create many opportunities for children to talk together about their interests and activities. For instance, children sing songs and share news as they enjoy snacks prepared over a safe fire outdoors. Children listen to well-told stories and answer questions. Staff speak in clear, calm and expressive ways. However, they

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need to do better?

do not consistently take the opportunity to extend children's vocabulary whenever they can. For example, during games when children hide on, in and under trees, staff miss chances to use and reinforce such positional language. n The manager leads her team with a clear vision and strong commitment. She is supported by her well-qualified staff. The manager and senior staff are positive role models to other members of staff and parents. They are passionate and caring in creating an environment for children to learn and develop in. Staff constantly aim to improve opportunities for the children in their care. They have well-defined roles and access to good levels of training and guidance to help fulfil their roles. Staff regularly reflect on their practice and gather the views of children and parents to plan effectively for the pre-school's further development.

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need to do better?

12 August 2021 n Parents fully recommend the pre-school. They comment on the regular and detailed communication that they receive about their children's progress. Parents find the guidance that staff provide to support their children's learning at home very useful. They particularly appreciate how happy and eager to learn their children are, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents welcome the regular activities that staff provide for children to follow at home. They found these activities especially useful when some children could not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions. n Staff plan thoroughly for children's learning across all areas of development. They closely observe children's achievements in order to build on them. Staff make sure that all children's learning is consistently developed and regularly reinforced. For example, they support children to build their investigative and

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need to do better?

scientific skills. Children plant herbs, observe plants grow and use them in their cooking. Staff help children build their mathematical skills. For instance, they encourage children to count the butterflies in the grounds or explore quantities in their mud kitchen recipes. However, children do not always have easy access to books, and in particular relating to the different activities, to further enhance their understanding and enjoyment. n Children make strong progress in their physical development and learn to follow a healthy lifestyle. They are physically challenged, for example, when they climb trees, create their own swings and crawl through tunnels. Children enjoy being outdoors in all weathers. Staff provide guidance and support to parents to provide varied and healthy meals for children, and to encourage children to try different foods in moderation.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead ensures that staff are well trained in child protection procedures. She holds frequent safeguarding discussions during staff meetings and makes sure that staff access the latest training. Staff have a full knowledge of the signs of abuse and neglect and how to report them. Robust policies and procedures reflect expectations of the local authority and are fully available to parents.

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should:

n help staff to identify and take every opportunity to develop and enrich children's vocabulary n ensure children have ready access at all times to a range of books and other reading material.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2507786 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10191686 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 24 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Foresteers Outdoor Preschool Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07780454327 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Foresteers Outdoor Preschool registered in 2019. It employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold qualified teacher status and one member of staff holds a level 4 qualification. The pre-school opens from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 48 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. It 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 manger and the inspector conducted a learning walk together to review the children's learning experiences. n The children talked to the inspector about their activities. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity. n Discussions were held with senior leaders and members of staff. n The inspector discussed the management and organisation of the pre-school with the manager and reviewed relevant documents. n The inspector held discussions to seek the views of 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

12 August 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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