The Village Pre-School

Inspection of The Village Pre-School Little Eaton Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Little Eaton, DERBY DE21 5EA

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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 enter pre-school with enthusiasm and confidently choose what they wish to play with. They have strong relationships with staff, who talk to them in a friendly and calm manner. Children behave well and play together, building friendships. For example, they take turns as they solve the problem of how to fix the train track. Children discuss which track piece to put down next and wait for their turn to push the train along. They play safely outside and know not to go through the doors without an adult. Children negotiate the space as they throw and kick balls with good control.

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The provision is good

Children have a positive attitude to their learning and are highly eager to join in with activities. They scream with delight as they play with the parachute, and lift it higher and higher like the wind is blowing it up. Children bend down low to use it to pretend to fish in the sea. This helps to strengthen their shoulders and arms, and develops their physical skills. Children listen attentively as staff capture their attention and motivate them well by reading stories with great animation. Staff bring the characters to life, which supports the children to take interest in the story. Children repeat phrases from the book about a witch on a broom and learn the meaning of new words, such as 'bog' and 'reeds'.

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need to do better?

n Managers demonstrate a good capacity to improve. For example, since the last inspection, they have made changes to the way they communicate with parents. Staff now keep parents up to date about their child's learning. They share information about their child's achievements and what they are learning next, so that parents can help them at home with their learning. Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents comment that staff are 'caring and kind' and know their child well. n Staff support children's early communication and language skills. They get down to younger children's level and consistently model clear language when talking to them. Staff use sign language to help children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to be able to communicate. Older children relish having the opportunity to talk about their interests. They hold conversations and talk about the characters from their favourite film. This helps to broadens children's

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need to do better?

speaking skills. n Staff find out about the experiences children have at home. From this information, they create opportunities to broaden children's knowledge. For example, staff learn that few children have the opportunity to take part in gardening activities, so they make a wormery with them. This helps the children to learn about worms and how to care for creatures. n Staff foster children's independence and self-care skills well. They encourage

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need to do better?

17 February 2022 children to do things for themselves. Staff help younger children learn how to put their coats on, and praise older children as they zip them up. Children know why they need to wash their hands, saying 'it's to get rid of the germs'. They learn how to peel oranges at snack time and to open their own lunch boxes. This helps their future learning and readiness for school. n Managers support staff through regular supervision meetings and discuss their training needs to improve their practice. For example, after completing a course on positive behaviour, staff now introduce more activities outside to help boisterous boys engage more in their learning. The introduction of the mud kitchen helps staff to support these children to use their small muscle skills as they play with sticks in the mud, and encourage them to write. n Staff consider children's interests and prior learning as they interact with them

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need to do better?

during play and support their desire to learn. However, some staff are less clear on what skills and knowledge they want children to gain through the activities the children choose. n Staff support children to enhance their mathematical language. For example, they encourage children to talk about the heart shapes they make out of play dough and how tall they can build their houses. Staff help children to decide whether to make the train track shorter or longer. However, they do not always fully support or make use of opportunities that arise from children's play to encourage them to count or use numbers.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The management and staff attend regular safeguarding training and fully understand the possible signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know how to raise concerns with outside agencies to protect children or if there is an allegation made against a member of staff. The committee implements robust recruitment procedures and ensures the ongoing suitability of staff. Staff's understanding of safeguarding is frequently checked through questioning and discussions during supervisions. Staff ensure the premises are safe and secure. They supervise children closely while encouraging them to take appropriate risks.

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should:

n support staff to implement the curriculum learning intentions, so they are clear what skills and knowledge they want children to gain n provide children with more support to count and use numbers during their play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 206836 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10068155 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 21

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Name of registered person

The Village Pre-School, Little Eaton Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07493925900 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

The Village Pre-School registered in 1994 and is run by a committee. It is located in Little Eaton, Derbyshire. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday from 9am until 3.30pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 3 and the manager and another member of staff are qualified teachers.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk with the manager of the pre-school and discussed how she organises and implements her curriculum. n The manager took part in a joint observation with the inspector. The inspector considered the quality of education during activities and the impact this had on children's learning. n The children and staff spoke with the inspector and invited her into their play at appropriate times throughout the inspection. The inspector observed interactions and the conversations between the staff and the children, and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector ans she took their views into account.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector had a discussion with the manager and chairperson about staff's training and how they evaluate their practice. n The manager showed the inspector relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the staff and committee.

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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

17 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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