The Lantern Preschool

Inspection of The Lantern Preschool The Old Village Hall, Canford Magna, WIMBORNE, Dorset BH21 3AF

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are greeted by gentle and kind staff. They settle quickly and are soon playing with favourite activities, such as investigating equipment with cogs, playing with toy dolls, or building train tracks. There is a calm atmosphere, with children positively engaged in their learning. Children are well behaved and kind to their friends. They learn how to respect and understand the needs of others. Staff act as good role models for children's positive behaviour. Children develop strong relationships with staff and their friends.

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The provision is good

Children are imaginative and eager to explore. They become deeply involved in their play and focus their attention on tasks without becoming distracted. For instance, they make 'salad' with mud, water and grass, and carefully mix the ingredients together. Children develop their self-confidence as they learn to be more independent. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, gain the skills they need to support their future learning.

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The provision is good

The manager has adapted children's routines to promote a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, parents drop off and collect their children from the main entrance and, on arrival, children immediately wash their hands. The manager regularly evaluates and reviews their practice with staff and parents.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is well planned by staff, who know the children well. They provide children with a broad range of activities, planned around the children's individual interests. For instance, children enjoy exploring the properties of ice. They recognise that their warm hands make the ice melt. Children watch intently when they add warm water and see the ice melt and disappear. They learn new words, such as 'melting' and 'dripping', as staff teach them about how the ice changes form. This supports their exploration and language skills well. n Children develop a strong love of books as they listen to familiar stories. Staff read with enthusiasm, allowing children to join in with phrases and words. They create cosy areas where children happily relax with favourite books. n There are many opportunities for children to develop their understanding of mathematics. They learn about numbers, colours and shapes during their daily

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need to do better?

routines. For example, during a cutting activity, children identify familiar shapes. They count how many pieces they have cut. Children proudly explain which pieces are bigger and smaller. n The manager provides effective leadership for her team. She has made good use of support and regular training. The manager conducts regular supervision and provides feedback to staff. However, at times, staff do not ask interesting

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need to do better?

24 January 2022 questions or give children the time they need to think through their answers. n Senior leaders have good links with a range of external agencies and wider professionals. They seek help and advice, when needed, to benefit children and ensure their needs are well met. For instance, strong links with local schools help children to feel secure when they move on from the setting. Staff build good relationships with other settings that children attend, to provide continuity in care and learning. n Parents praise the care their children receive. Staff share information about what children have done and enjoyed on a daily basis with parents. However, not all parents feel that they have received clear information about how they could support their children's learning at home. n Staff promote children's good health and encourage children to be physically active. Children take part in a physical development programme and learn how

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need to do better?

to move in a variety of ways. They use their pincer grip to grasp pieces of materials and swish them around in the air to make small and large circles. n Staff provide frequent opportunities for children to develop their independence. For example, children dress themselves in waterproof clothes, ready for outdoor play. They are keen to contribute to tidying away activities when supported by staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager, staff and nominated individual have a detailed understanding of their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. Staff know how to identify when children might be at risk of harm, including from extreme views or practices. They complete regular safeguarding training to keep them up to date with current safeguarding requirements. Staff know how to report concerns, to maintain children's welfare. The committee and the manager have secure procedures in place for recruitment and suitability checks. Staff complete effective and thorough risk assessments.

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should:

n strengthen support for staff to develop their questioning techniques, to further encourage children's communication and language abilities n review and adapt ways in which information is shared with parents, including how parents can support their child's ongoing learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY451162 Local authority Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Inspection number 10075241 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 20 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Lantern Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01202 639263 Date of previous inspection 12 July 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Lantern Preschool re-registered in 2012 due to a move of premises. It is a committee-run provision that operates from the village hall in Canford Magna, near Wimborne in Dorset. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3.30pm during term time only. The manager of the pre-school has early years professional status. There are five other members of staff who work at the pre-school, all of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3. The setting is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education for children aged two and three years.

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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 The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum. n During a joint observation, the manager and the inspector evaluated the quality of education together. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector had discussions with staff and parents and took their views into account. n The manager and the nominated person took part in a meeting with the inspector to discuss improvements made since the last inspection, as well as the overall leadership and management of the nursery.

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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

24 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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