Springboard

Inspection of Springboard Kings Centre, Lodge Road, CHIPPENHAM, Wiltshire SN15 3SY

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive in this welcoming, inclusive environment. It feels like a family, where everyone cares for each other and the smallest achievements are excitably celebrated. The highly motivated, enthusiastic practitioners are led by an inspirational manager and leadership team. Children calmly arrive at the setting, and are supported to settle in their own time. Parents confidently leave them in the care of the warm, experienced practitioners.

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The provision is outstanding

Practitioners have high expectations of children. Working closely with outside professionals, they plan highly effective activities for children based on children's interests and needs. They deliver these with such dedication and commitment that children are highly interested and engaged. Practitioners encourage children to have a go before they step in to help. For example, children are given time to try to put on their coats independently and are encouraged to finishing doing up the zip. Children are making excellent progress from their individual starting points.

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The provision is outstanding

Practitioners use exciting methods to encourage children to communicate effectively in their own way. For example, they play the 'balloon game', where children need to say 'stop' when they think the balloon is big enough, before it pops. Children's choices are respected, helping them to develop a sense of self- worth. Practitioners use items such as picture boards to communicate routines to the children and help them to choose what they want to do next.

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need to do better?

n The manager is highly reflective of practice and motivated, always striving to improve the already excellent provision and ensure her practitioners are up to date with current practices. The practitioners have regular supervisions to discuss their work and ongoing professional development. Practitioners feel very well supported. n Children have fantastic consistency of care. The pre-school works very closely with other settings that children attend. For example, practitioners from the other settings are invited in to access specialist training, and practitioners speak on the phone, sharing relevant and useful information about children. n Parents cannot praise the setting enough. They feel confident leaving their children, and say the manager and practitioners go 'above and beyond', supporting them with all aspects of their family life. For example, the setting runs 'Saturdads', which gives dads a place to come with their children, meet

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need to do better?

other dads in a similar situation, and speak to practitioners. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, the setting stayed in contact with families via video and telephone calls, and gave activity ideas and kept in touch with the children. Parents say they felt very well supported over periods of national lockdown.

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need to do better?

14 February 2022 n Practitioners know the children and families extremely well and children are skilfully supported in their learning. Practitioners' interactions are of a high quality. They are incredibly enthusiastic and clearly love what they do. They use highly successful strategies to keep children's interest and help them to be as deeply engaged as possible. For example, when teaching children letter sounds, they collectively make the sound and move their arms up and down, helping to hold children's attention. n Children who learn best outside have excellent opportunities. The recently renovated garden is safe and inviting and accessible to all. It links the two playrooms so that children can interact together. Children can investigate exciting activities and equipment that support all areas of learning. Practitioners engage very sensitively and successfully in children's play and children squeal

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need to do better?

with delight during games with the bean bags. n There is a high level of respect for all children. Children are exceptionally well cared for and learn excellent hygiene practices. Practitioners use skilful support to help children to manage some of their own needs, such as wiping their noses when needed and washing their hands before eating. n Children are able to start to learn simple mathematics in play and activities. For example, when playing an interesting attention and listening game, practitioners count out the pictures slowly as they place them on the floor. n Behaviour management is excellent. When practitioners do have to intervene, they do so in a very sensitive and respectful way. For example, practitioners get down to children's level and remind them 'we can share', using signs and words to reinforce the message very effectively. They then also help the children to resolve the situation, such as by finding more cars for them to play with.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding practices and how to keep children safe. They know the signs and symptoms to look for that may be a cause for concern, and have robust procedures that they follow if they believe a child could be at risk of harm. Meticulous recruitment procedures ensure that all staff are thoroughly vetted before they work with the children. There is a culture of excellent safeguarding practice in the setting. Visitors are told of measures that they must follow to keep children safe, including not using mobile phones in the rooms. Risk assessments are in place and conscientiously implemented to ensure that children remain safe in the setting and when out outings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410720 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10126116 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Springboard Chippenham

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reference number

Telephone number 01249 657 145 Date of previous inspection 5 October 2015

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Information about this early years setting

Springboard North Wiltshire Opportunity Playgroup has been established for over 30 years and is a centre for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The playgroup is situated in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and is open Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 2.30pm during school term time. The pre-school also provides a 'U2s Stay and Play' group on Tuesday mornings from 9.30am to 11am. The pre-school receives funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs 15 members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The manager holds early years professional status and a masters degree in childhood and youth.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection of the setting 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 provision. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk of all areas of the pre- school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and read parent testimonials and took account of their views. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

14 February 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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