Kennet Valley Caterpillars

Inspection of Kennet Valley Caterpillars Holybrook Centre, Carters Rise, Calcot, Reading, Berkshire RG31 7YT

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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 enthusiastically greet their friends and staff on arrival at the pre-school. Those children who display any signs of anxiety are supported well by staff and settle quickly into their chosen activities. Outside in the garden, children thoroughly enjoy the freedom to take measured risks. They demonstrate this as they stack up large tyres and practise their jumping skills. Children behave well. For example, they work together to transport water and conkers into differently sized containers, and share use of the wheelbarrow in different activities.

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The provision is good

Inside, children access a range of activities and resources. They explore different textures and show high levels of curiosity as they focus intently on washing the dolls hair, for example. Children patiently wait for their turn and show good control as they hook a duck as part of water play. They develop their imagination as they role play real-life situations, such as going to the hairdresser's. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or those who speak English as an additional language, receive clear guidance and lots of praise from staff. This gives children the confidence to participate and they take pride in their achievements.

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need to do better?

n The manager's intent for the curriculum is clear. Staff make regular assessments of what children know and can do and plan stimulating learning experiences, to help move children forward in their development. Children enthusiastically listen to stories and confidently talk about what is happening. They use words, such as 'more than' and 'less than' as they balance objects on scales. This helps to build on children's communication and language development. n The manager and staff have high expectations for all children, including those with SEND or those who speak English as an additional language. They use their knowledge to great effect and work closely with other professionals, to help ensure that any gaps in learning close as quickly as possible. The manager makes good use of additional funding to meet the needs of children very effectively. n Staff support children's health well. They teach children about oral hygiene in

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need to do better?

fun and practical ways. For example, children practise brushing the doll's teeth when engaging in messy play. Children enjoy a range of nutritionally balanced snacks. n Staff provide children with good opportunities to build on their small- and large- muscle skills needed for early writing. For instance, children enthusiastically discuss their drawing as they make marks on the white board. They handle large paintbrushes from the water tray with good control to paint the wall. Children show good hand-to-eye coordination as they use tools, such as tweezers, to

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need to do better?

5 October 2021 move toy spiders into their sensory den. n Staff share detailed information with parents about their child's care and daily achievements. However, systems are not in place for staff to consistently share children's next steps in learning with all parents, to help them support their children's development at home. Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They comment on the strong relationships between children and staff. n Children have wonderful opportunities to learn about the wider world. For example, they take part in community events, such as celebrating harvest festival with staff, their own families and friends. n The manager has worked hard to support staff through different changes, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, staff leaving and staff taking on new roles. She values everyone's contribution to improve the setting and places a strong emphasis on developing staff's skills and their well-being. However, the

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need to do better?

manager recognises that there is an opportunity to build on the programme of supervision further, to help raise the quality of staff teaching to an even higher level. Although children delight in the learning experiences staff provide, there are occasions when staff can enhance their learning even more. For example, during the inspection, some children eagerly helped staff build a balancing circuit. Once completed, some children found the circuit too easy and busy and staff missed opportunities to challenge them further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe from harm. They attend regular training to ensure they keep their knowledge of safeguarding procedures up to date. Staff know the possible signs of concern and are aware of the correct procedures to follow when necessary. Effective risk assessments are in place. Staff provide careful supervision during activities, which contributes to children's safety. The manager has robust recruitment procedures and checks the suitability of staff. New staff receive an in-depth induction to help them to understand their roles and responsibilities fully.

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should:

n continue to build on the programme of supervision and professional development, to help raise the quality of teaching to the highest level n enhance the good partnership with parents further so that all parents are fully informed about their child's learning and development, to help them guide their child's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2510516 Local authority West Berkshire Inspection number 10191783 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Caterpillar Preschools Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07824888197 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Kennet Valley Caterpillars registered in 2019 and is located in Calcot, Reading, Berkshire. The pre-school opens Monday to Thursday, from 9am until 3pm and 9am to 1pm on a Friday, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs seven staff. Five members of staff have a level 3 qualification.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to gain an understanding of how the early years curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector carried out a joint observation and discussed the learning that took place with the provider. n The inspector listened to the views of the parents through discussions. n The inspector tracked the experiences of two children during the inspection. n The inspector sampled documentation, such as the suitability of staff and first- aid certificates. n The inspector spoke to staff and children throughout the inspection and gained 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

5 October 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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