Pound Hill Pre-School

Inspection of Pound Hill Pre-School Community Centre, Worth Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 7EP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Although there are some weaknesses in leadership and management, children eagerly wait at the pre-school entrance to start their day. They are happy, settle quickly and choose where to play in the well-planned learning environment. Staff have high expectations of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy listening to their favourite stories in different languages and excitedly recall what comes next. Children are beginning to learn that stories have a beginning, middle and end and are developing early literacy skills. Occasionally, during group times, children become distracted and lose focus on what is being taught.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are becoming independent in their self-care routines. Overall, children behave well and respect their environment, however, they do not receive consistent support to develop an understanding of why rules are in place. Children learn to balance on beams and use binoculars to explore the world around them. They excitedly point out aircraft as they fly overhead and engage in discussions with staff about where they are going.

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need to do better?

n The manager has implemented changes that have had a positive impact on the quality of education. She has also developed the procedures for recording safeguarding concerns and incidents, to make sure records are secure and organised effectively. n The manager offers staff support, coaching and supervision to develop their practice. Staff complete regular training to continually improve teaching practices. However, the provider has failed to fulfil her roles and responsibilities to ensure that the manager receives the required support. Furthermore, she has not notified Ofsted of changes to committee members, in order to complete the relevant checks. This is a breach of legal requirements and may have an impact on children's safety and well-being. However, committee members are not left unsupervised with children. n Staff understand how children learn and develop. They gather detailed information about children before they start and use assessment to review

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need to do better?

where children are in their learning. Staff have a good understanding of child development and sequence the curriculum well. They work well with parents and target additional funding for children successfully, to help close any gaps in their learning. n Staff provide opportunities for children to persevere in developing new skills. For example, staff demonstrate how to hold scissors safety and children proudly

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need to do better?

21 September 2021 show staff they can use the scissors independently. They quickly gain the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for the next stage in their education, including school. n The outdoor space supports the intentions for the curriculum well. The environment provides plenty of opportunities for children to develop language and communication skills. Children use the pegs to hang clothing on a washing line and staff introduce words, such as 'squeeze' and 'pinch', to develop children's vocabulary. n Children enjoy exploring the mud kitchen as they develop friendships with their peers. They use their imagination to develop their play and express their ideas confidently. For example, as they add leaves to the mud, children ask, 'can you look after my stew and stir it while I get some more ingredients?'. Children develop a positive sense of themselves. n Staff do not fully consider the organisation of group times to meet the learning

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need to do better?

needs of all children. For example, some activities involving large groups of children are not effective in keeping every child engaged. n For the most part staff, are consistent in their approach to behaviour management. However, at times, staff do not consistently provide children with a clear explanation of why these rules are in place. The lack of explanation does not support children's understanding of the impact their behaviour could have on others.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager takes the lead for safeguarding. She has a secure knowledge of her roles and responsibilities to offer advice and support for staff. She ensures that staff are suitable to work with children through robust recruitment and induction processes. Staff have a good understating of safeguarding matters and how to protect children who may be at risk from extreme behaviour or views. They work closely with other agencies to meet the needs of all children. Staff deploy themselves effectively to ensure children are well supervised. They complete regular risk assessments to minimise or reduce any risks to children.

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Due date

21 September 2021 ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for the management committee to understand their roles and responsibilities, including providing support and supervision to the manager and when to make notifications to Ofsted of any changes. 29/10/2021

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should:

n support staff to help children develop a greater understanding of behavioural expectations n review group times to consistently plan for all children's learning needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113660 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10132163 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 45 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Pound Hill Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07765245933 Date of previous inspection 19 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Pound Hill Pre-School registered in 1989. It is situated in the Pound Hill Community Centre in Crawley, West Sussex. The pre-school is open on Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 2.30pm, during term time only. A team of 12 staff work with the children, 10 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager is qualified to degree level. The pre-school accepts funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 manager explained the pre-school curriculum during a learning walk with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity together and discussed the quality of teaching and learning afterwards. n The inspector held discussions with the manager and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

21 September 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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