Holcombe Brook Methodist Preschool

Inspection of Holcombe Brook Methodist Preschool Holcombe Brook Methodist Church, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire BL0 9QZ

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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

Pre-school leaders put children at the centre of their work. Children are extremely confident and content within their surroundings. They decide where to play with curiosity and ease. Children remember what they learn. They use their knowledge to solve problems. Children access an exciting curriculum. For instance, they independently use warm water to melt the frost from their bicycles. Children enjoy learning about different topics in great detail. For example, children learn about Italy. They paint the Italian flag, make pasta in the role-play restaurant, and pretend to be chefs as they make their own pizzas. Children enjoy smelling and naming herbs. In addition, they develop their fine-motor skills when they chop their own food for the whole group to enjoy. However, at times, staff do not enhance children's mathematical development during tasks. For instance, by talking about size, shape and counting as they cut the fruit and vegetables.

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The provision is good

Children form safe and secure relationships with each other and staff. They behave consistently well. Children help those that are younger carry out routines, such as tidying up at the end of an activity. Children enjoy the praise they receive from staff and are proud of their achievements. They have a go at tricky tasks and show positive attitudes towards new activities. For example, young children persevere when peeling their own orange for snack.

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need to do better?

n Managers have secure knowledge and intentions of what they want children to learn and achieve. They strive to provide children with the skills they need to flourish in their lives. Not only are children fully supported with their transition to school, they gain independence and know they are valued. Staff give children choices throughout the day and respect their wishes. Managers coach staff through robust supervision techniques to provide children with stimulating experiences, both inside and in the outdoors. n Leaders ensure that the development of children's speech and language skills is prioritised. Older children confidently identify some letters, sounds and rhyming words. Partnerships with the local school have enabled the transition to school to be smooth. Staff identify any speech and language concerns they may have about children and intervene effectively. They work closely with professionals,

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need to do better?

such as speech therapists, to help children develop their talking skills. n Staff build on activities the children have enjoyed. On occasion, some children are not challenged in line with their individual abilities. For example, children of varying ages are all asked the same questions. Children sometimes become disengaged if the activity is too difficult or too easy. That said, children love to investigate and develop their scientific skills. They enjoy interesting experiments, for example, they make rainbows and clouds in water, they ask sensible

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need to do better?

20 January 2022 questions about textures and colours. n Staff endeavour to use children's interests around the setting to encourage progress in all areas of learning. Additionally, they encourage non-stereotypical play. For instance, girls and boys play in the construction area, building castles for the princess. Staff spend time with children to explore what makes them unique and the differences people may have. They discuss people in their families and learn about a range of people in the wider community. Managers have good links with community members. Children have enjoyed learning about people that keep them safe when the police and fire service attended. Furthermore, guests come into setting to read from the Bible and sing songs, which children thoroughly enjoy. n Partnerships with parents are well established. There is a consistent two-way flow of information regarding children's well-being and development. Parents

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need to do better?

comment highly on the progress their children make in the setting and the support they receive from all members of the team. The key-person system is especially effective and is adaptive to suit the relationships needs of each child. Staff show interest in children and have a full understanding of their individual wishes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers and staff are fully aware of the signs and symptoms that would cause concern for a child's welfare. They know their responsibilities in reporting and safeguarding children. Staff complete regular child protection training and hold paediatric first-aid certificates to ensure they can attend to accidents and emergencies. Staff have regard to the 'Prevent' duty and wider safeguarding concerns, such as drug trafficking and extreme behaviour. Children access a safe and secure environment. Managers and staff identify and remove any risks effectively. Children are supervised by well-deployed staff at all times.

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should:

n ensure all children are consistently engaged in learning experiences suited to their individual stages of development n develop techniques to support children's mathematical skills during all aspects of play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 316833 Local authority Bury Inspection number 10071524 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 30 Number of children on roll 33

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Name of registered person

Holcombe Brook Methodist Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07940 157 452 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Holcombe Brook Methodist Preschool was registered in 1992. The playgroup employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold early years qualifications at level 5 and four have appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The playgroup opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The playgroup 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 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 manager and the inspector had a learning walk of the areas used by the children and discussed the setting's aims. n Parents' views were taken account of by the inspector. n The inspector and the manager completed a joint observation. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with children and what impact this had on children's learning during indoor and outdoor 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

20 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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