Downton Community Pre-School

Inspection of Downton Community Pre-School The Memorial Hall, The Borough, Downton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3NB

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children arrive happily and receive a warm welcome from the staff, which helps them feel secure. They settle quickly and confidently choose from an interesting range of activities and resources. These include newly acquired items designed to stimulate their imaginations and curiosity. Staff interact well with children, although, they do not consistently extend their learning as much as possible.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children are well behaved and willingly follow instructions. They develop many independent skills, such as putting on their own coats and rubber boots before going out on a scavenger hunt. They develop good relationships and enjoy playing with their friends. For example, several children ride trikes together.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Managers kept in regular contact with parents while the pre-school was closed or children were unable to attend, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This maintained links between the families and the pre-school. Staff provided ideas for activities that children could do at home to support their learning. Parents drop off and pick up their children at the door. Staff maintain communication with them through handover discussions and by using an online platform.

p.2

need to do better?

n The joint managers were appointed at the beginning of the year after a difficult period for the pre-school. They work well together and share a clear vision for the future. They have made many positive changes, including replacing outdated resources, developing the outdoor play area and working to build staff morale. Staff work well as a team and are enthusiastic about their work. Managers recognise that there are still areas for development and are eager to move forward with these. n There is a buzz of conversation throughout the day, as children and staff discuss a varied range of subjects, including the Halloween disco that is taking place. Children confidently initiate conversations with each other and with adults. For example, several ask the inspector what she is doing and describe what they like doing at pre-school. n Children have good opportunities to develop a love of books. They enjoy snuggling up on the sofa to look at a varied range of books by themselves or

p.2

need to do better?

with staff. Managers have introduced a book lending scheme so that every child has the chance to read books with their parents at home. n Staff identify next steps for children's progress but these are not specific to each child's personal learning needs. As a result, planning is not fully effective in helping each child to make progress. n Staff provide effective support for children who need additional support to make progress. They work with parents and other agencies to ensure a shared

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need to do better?

20 October 2021 approach to supporting these children and make sure that they benefit from funding, where applicable. For example, funding is used to buy resources recommended by professionals, such as occupational therapists. n Managers do not monitor staff's assessments of children or the frequency with which these are shared with parents. Therefore, they are not aware of the quality of this aspect of staff practice. n Managers have an overview of children's progress but they do not monitor whether there are differences in progress between different groups and analyse what they can do to close any gaps. n Children are good at taking turns and sharing and this is a frequent topic of conversation with the staff. They wait patiently and talk about whose turn it is next. They know routines and expectations, such as washing their hands independently before lunch and then sitting at the table while they eat.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff make good use of questions to encourage children to listen and think. For example, they ask them to consider whether animals will sink or float in the water tray. However, they do not consistently extend children's learning as much as possible across all areas.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff provide a safe and secure environment for children to play and learn in. They help children learn about potential risks, such as discussing the danger of slipping on water on the floor. Staff are aware of the potential signs that a child may be at risk of harm. They know what to do if they have concerns and are clear that they would make a referral themselves if necessary. Managers ensure that safeguarding is always on the agenda of staff meetings and that staff's safeguarding knowledge is kept up to date.

p.3

Due date

ensure that assessment is used effectively to identify next steps for each child that are tailored to their particular needs and use these to feed into planning a more effective curriculum 05/01/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure leaders and managers have a precise overview of the quality of assessments to ensure consistency of staff practice. 05/01/2022

p.3

should:

n develop staff's understanding of how to take every opportunity to extend children's learning in all areas n extend the assessment of children's progress to include groups as well as individuals in order to identify any emerging gaps.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2505980 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10194416 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 71 Number of children on roll 71 Name of registered person Downton Community Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01725511178 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Downton Community Pre-School was originally registered in 2003 and re-registered at its current premises in 2018. It operates from The Memorial Hall in Downton, Wiltshire. It is open from 8am to 5.30pm every weekday during term time only. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four. There are eight staff, of whom seven have relevant childcare qualifications at levels 2 and 3.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider 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 provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and joint managers about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager.

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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

20 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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