Shenley Lodge Pre-Shool

Inspection of Shenley Lodge Pre-Shool The Meeting Place, 5 Faraday Drive, Shenley Lodge, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK5 7DE

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and safe at this welcoming pre-school. They have warm and affectionate relationships with consistent staff who know them well. Children develop friendships with each other from a young age.

p.2

The provision is good

Children develop good independence skills. Staff encourage them from a young age to put on their shoes and coats, and children prepare their own snacks and tidy away their cups and plates. This supports children to build their self-care skills effectively. Children have regular opportunities for outdoor play and physical exercise, including music and movement sessions and yoga. Staff use these opportunities to talk to children about the benefits of healthy eating and the importance of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy a good range of toys, resources and activities that support their learning and development. They make choices about their play and activities. For instance, children enjoy a range of stories and actively seek out books to be read to them either alone or in small groups. They enjoy the cosy book corner where they listen to their favourite stories and add props to bring the stories alive. Children move freely around the setting and children develop their imagination successfully. For example, they engage with small-world figures and sing to themselves as they play.

p.2

need to do better?

n The experienced manager knows her staff well. She efficiently evaluates the quality of teaching and the impact on children's achievements. The manager is committed to improving the pre-school. She is ambitious and uses self- evaluation successfully to identify the strengths and areas of development. n Partnerships with parents are effective. Parents are happy with the regular communication they receive from staff. They praise staff for how well they have helped children settle back into the pre-school after periods of national lockdown. n Arrangements are in place to support children who are learning English as an additional language. Staff find out about children's home languages well. They use visual picture prompts and some sign language to support young children's emerging speaking skills n Children behave well and they show kindness to their friends. Staff encourage them to share and take turns. For example, staff encourage children to use 'kind

p.2

need to do better?

hands' and their 'golden rules', to teach children what is expected of them in pre-school. Children develop good relationships with others, regardless of their backgrounds and individual abilities. n Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have not been allowed into the

p.2

need to do better?

13 October 2021 building and this remains in place. However, this has had an unexpected positive benefit, in that sessions start promptly, and more time is available for learning. Parents say that they do not mind because they receive dedicated, quality feedback from staff through use of the new online platform and when they collect their children. n Staff provide a good range of activities which support children's interest and enhance learning. For example, young children explore the pumpkin and the seeds inside of it, using words such as 'gooey', 'slimy' and 'slippery', to describe the pumpkin flesh. They refine their physical skills as they plant the seeds, using tweezers and spades, understanding that they need to water the seeds and give them sunshine, to see the pumpkins eventually grow. However, staff are not yet able to confidently explain how children's learning is sequenced as part of a coherent approach to planning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Professional development is strong. Staff are encouraged to further their own qualifications and careers. They speak very highly of the support that they receive from the manager and the chair of the committee. Leaders implement systems to ensure that staff's workload is managed effectively and their well- being is consistently supported. This means that staff feel valued and enjoy their roles. n Overall, staff provide good interactions with children to support their learning. However, at times, although quieter children are happy, staff do not fully engage them during some activities, such as group discussions and during periods when then are outside. This means there are missed opportunities to ensure that all children make the best possible progress in their learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff know and understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities effectively. Staff know how to report any concerns they may have about children or adults. The manager regularly checks staff's understanding of child protection issues, referral processes and wider safeguarding matters. In addition, relevant information, including referral and support agencies, is displayed in different areas of the pre-school for staff to easily access. The manager and the chair of the committee have robust vetting and recruitment systems in place. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable for their roles and responsibilities.

p.3

should:

n enhance practice further to support staff to plan the sequencing of children's learning, to offer the highest levels of challenge

p.3

should:

13 October 2021 n support staff to develop further awareness of their responses to children, such as engaging with children who may be quieter.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2532376 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10208500 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Shenley Lodge Pre-School Incorporated CIO

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01908 559199 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Shenley Lodge Pre-School re-registered in 2019 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It operates from The Meeting Place, situated in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The pre-school is open from 9am to 4pm each weekday, during term time only. There is an early drop-off system each morning from 8am to 9am. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members of staff. Of these, the manager holds early years professional status and five members of staff hold relevant qualifications at level 2 or level 3.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector had a learning walk with the manager through all areas of the premises used by the children and discussed the early years curriculum. n Parents shared their views through verbal and written feedback. The inspector took these views into account. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities and assessed the impact on children's enjoyment and engagement. n The inspector looked at a sample of the documentation. This included evidence of the suitability of staff and committee members working in the setting.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

13 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7