First Friends @ Wootey

Inspection of First Friends @ Wootey Wootey Infant School, Wooteys Way, Alton GU34 2JA

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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 eagerly take part in activities. For example, during the inspection, they developed physical control when they used cooking ladles and tweezers to explore and pick up puffed rice. They enjoyed posting cars down a cardboard tube and learned to identify the different colours of the cars.

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The provision is good

Children confidently and enthusiastically initiate their own games. For instance, they thoroughly enjoyed playing hide and seek with their friends and chose to repeat this activity several times. Children develop a good understanding of the world. They dig holes near to the base of trees to create 'toad houses' and cover them with natural materials that they find in the forest. Children enjoy playing with toy animals in water and ice and sort the animals into groups according to the temperature they live in.

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The provision is good

There are high expectations for every child. Children feel happy and safe, are familiar with the routines and enjoy being at the nursery. Children behave well. They play together cooperatively and help to tidy up the resources before taking part in large-group activities. Children are observant and considerate of other children's needs. For example, an older child gently asked a younger child who was carrying a box of toys 'do you remember where this goes?'.

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need to do better?

n Staff observe and assess children's development and have a good understanding of what they want them to learn. They help children to develop the skills they need for future learning. Staff focus strongly on supporting children's communication and language, including children who speak English as an additional language. For example, they teach children nursery rhymes and songs with actions. Parents report that their children enjoy singing the songs that they have learned, at home. n Managers and staff know children and their families well. They work closely with parents and other agencies to meet children's individual needs. The special educational needs coordinator ensures that children receive the support they need to close gaps in their learning and development. Parents report that they feel involved in their children's learning and development. n Staff adapt the curriculum and the play areas so that all children are safe,

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need to do better?

included and motivated to learn. For example, they have provided children with special educational needs and/or disabilities with more space to explore and use the resources. There are plans in place to further improve the outdoor learning environment. n Staff are positive role models for children. They are very attentive to children's individual care needs. They patiently gain children's cooperation and talk with

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need to do better?

18 January 2022 children in a calm and respectful way. For example, they encourage younger children to sit safely on their chairs at lunchtime. n Staff join in with children's play. They support children's mathematical development well. For instance, they encouraged children to count in numerical order when they walked across raised stepping stones. Children independently practised counting out loud during other activities, such as hide and seek. n Staff support children's pre-reading and pre-writing skills well. They provide lots of opportunities for children to gain control of their movements. For example, children use paint brushes and water to make marks and use scissors to cut leaves. Staff often read stories and help children to use books to identify birds that they see during outings in the forest. n Staff work closely with parents to help children settle and feel secure. They form close relationships with their key children and support them well to develop self-

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need to do better?

confidence and social skills. Parents report that the staff were 'wonderful' with settling their children into the nursery, particularly children who were born during the COVID-19 pandemic. n Managers support staff training and continuous professional development. Three unqualified staff are currently completing a level 3 childcare qualification. The manager has recently gained a leadership and management qualification. This has given him the confidence to delegate responsibilities to other staff to help develop their skills. However, staff are not coached and supported to consistently challenge and further extend children's learning and development indoors and outdoors. For example, when children play independently, staff do not consistently build on what children already know and can do.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare. They work closely with other agencies and the local school to keep children safe. Staff receive safeguarding training, including for the 'Prevent' duty. They support families well when there are changes in their circumstances. Staff carefully risk assess the premises, activities and outings. For example, during forest-school activities they make sure that children are well supervised at all times. Staff teach children about their own safety. For instance, when together, they light fires and boil water to make hot chocolate.

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should:

n coach and support all staff to consistently challenge and further extend children's learning and development indoors and outdoors.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2617108 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10217923 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person First Friends Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07775333395 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

First Friends @ Wootey registered in 2020. It is located in Alton, Hampshire. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks a year. The setting receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are seven staff employed, including the manager, of whom four have relevant childcare qualifications. Of these, one has early years professional status, one has a level 6 qualification, and two 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 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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together. n The manager and inspector completed a joint observation of a children's activity. n The inspector talked to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and observed activities.

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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

18 January 2022 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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