St Marys Wootton (Bedford) Preschool

Inspection of St Marys Wootton (Bedford) Preschool St Marys Church Hall, St Marys Road, Wootton, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK43 9HB

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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 are warmly welcomed at the pre-school door and happily leave their parents with support from friendly staff. They settle quickly and enjoy exploring a wide range of activities that are freely available, inside and out. Children's emotional needs are supported by staff who give them reassurance and time to settle in. Children behave well, as staff constantly demonstrate positive behaviours through good role modelling.

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The provision is good

Children learn to concentrate and focus as they play alongside staff and their peers. For example, they become engrossed for long periods of time in the home corner. They use household items that engage them in imaginative cooking as they prepare cakes and pizzas. Children develop their interest in books as they help run the weekly library and take turns to choose a book to take home. Books are available around the setting and are used alongside activity tables to support children's learning. Children love their outdoor play. They develop their physical skills as they choose from a variety of resources, such as bicycles and a mud kitchen. Children negotiate the challenging equipment available, including a balance rope and hammock. Children learn to safely use tools, such as stick whittling, during forest school activities.

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need to do better?

n Managers recognise the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's development, specifically behaviour and communication development. During periods of the pandemic lockdown, the manager provided home learning tasks for children and their families to participate in. Videocalls and doorstep visits were used to check on the children's and their family's well-being. n Staff plan the curriculum around children's current interests and the seven areas of learning. Staff feel able to make suggestions and focus on children's interests to engage them in activities. They spend time evaluating activities and assessing what changes can be made. However, at times, staff are not clear how the activities support children's individual learning needs. This means they do not always consistently challenge and extend children's development. n Additional funding is used to broaden children's learning experiences. For

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need to do better?

example, children have visits to a local farm with their families. New resources have been purchased to support children during small group activities. Funding is also used to support staff's knowledge when working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The well-established key-person system is effective. Children are emotionally supported as they prepare for school. Staff use children's current interests to help engage them during their settling-in period. Staff actively engage with children during play and encourage back and forth conversations. They ask

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need to do better?

19 January 2022 questions and allow the children time to think and respond. n Staff speak calmly and kindly to children and regularly remind them of the rules, such as walking inside. Staff explain to children why they have the rules and how they help to keep everyone safe and prevent injury and harm. n The manager spends time assessing the staff team and prioritises their mental well-being. Staff report they feel emotionally supported by management. They have yearly appraisals to monitor their performance and training. However, staff are not provided with regular opportunities for individual supervisions to discuss any challenges or issues they may have. n Parents speak positively about the pre-school and comment that their children are happy attending and that the communication between staff and parents is good. For example, the setting uses a confidential online system to share photos and information effectively. Parents report that their children are well supported

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need to do better?

in their move to school and feel they are well prepared. n Daily routine activities such as snack time provide some opportunities for children to develop their independence. However, staff do not consistently encourage children to try and practise independence skills, such as putting on their own coats and outdoor boots or pouring their own drink at snack time. n Staff regularly use an established language programme. Children enjoy taking part in sessions that encourage their communication and language development, including turn taking by rolling a ball while singing.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding roles. They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, including the impact of extreme beliefs and behaviours. Staff know the procedures to follow and are confident to talk to the safeguarding leaders if they feel a child is at risk of harm. Staff are aware of how to contact the local agencies that they can refer concerns to. Management regularly train staff in safeguarding, using online training sessions, inductions, and questionnaires. Established recruitment processes help ensure staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n enhance staff knowledge of curriculum planning to sharply focus on learning intentions for each child n support all staff to consistently teach and challenge children to develop independence skills n organise regular supervision times for all staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2538795 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10215287 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 32

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Name of registered person

The Parochial Church Council Of St Marys Church Wootton Beds

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reference number

Telephone number 01234 767158 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

St Marys Wootton (Bedford) Preschool registered in 2019. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 and five hold qualifications at level 3 or above, including one with qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are on Monday from 9am until midday, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am until 4pm and on Thursday from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 pre-school. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The Inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n A joint evaluation of an activity was completed with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the manager and deputy manager at an agreed time. The inspector reviewed relevant documents, including first-aid certificates, the safeguarding policy and accident

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Inspection activities

reports. The committee chairperson joined the meeting for feedback.

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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

19 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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