Sadberge Pre-School

Inspection of Sadberge Pre-School Sadberge Village Hall, Darlington Road, Sadberge, County Durham DL2 1SW

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children happily enter the pre-school and excitedly participate in the activities on offer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents no longer enter the pre-school room. That said, children are very confident and leave their parents with ease. Children practise their early literacy skills as they identify their names on coloured pegs and register themselves on arrival. Older children write their names and shopping lists independently. Staff know their key children very well and understand their learning needs. They have high expectations of how children behave and of what they can do and achieve. Children behave extremely well. They have high levels of respect for each other. Older children show care and compassion for their younger peers. They sit and use puppets and props to tell familiar stories to younger children.

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The provision is good

Toddlers explore their environment with confidence. They are independent and make their own choices, such as choosing their own resources. Older children consistently keep on trying hard, and they persevere. For example, they think critically as they try to work out how to make a circle shape. They hunt around the room until they find a roll of sticky tape. They successfully cut out a circle and are very proud of their achievements.

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need to do better?

n Children demonstrate expert independence. All children wash their hands when they enter the pre-school and competently put on their coats and waterproof clothes when going outside. At mealtimes, even the youngest children carefully and independently help themselves to plates and utensils. Staff support parents to ensure that packed lunches are healthy and nutritionally balanced. Mealtimes are very sociable as children and staff talk about healthy foods. n Children's behaviour is exemplary as they play alongside each other, sharing resources and taking turns. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful as children are busy and highly motivated to learn. Children remember the rules of the pre- school and remind their peers of these. n The quality of teaching is good. Staff have a secure understanding of how young children learn. Overall, children benefit from a wide range of purposeful and interesting activities. For instance, children have fun experimenting with sand

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need to do better?

and paint. However, some large-group activities are not always planned well enough to meet the needs of all children involved. n Opportunities for literacy are good. Older children draw pictures of family members. They form letter shapes and describe who they are drawing. Children are encouraged to write shopping lists and put their names on pictures. This prepares them well for later writing. Children demonstrate an excellent attitude to learning.

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need to do better?

4 March 2022 n The pre-school provides children with a rich set of experiences that promote an excellent understanding of the wider world. Children benefit enormously from visits to the local post office and walks in the village. Staff introduce people who work in the community. Police, refuse collectors and farmers speak to children about their roles. Staff introduce children to a variety of cultural experiences. Children taste new foods and learn about animals and traditions from places such as Canada and Indonesia. n Children develop good physical skills. They enjoy being active and using their imaginations outside in the fresh air. For example, children enjoy using umbrellas and jumping in puddles. They skilfully climb the large climbing frame. Furthermore, children develop their small-muscle skills as they use small hammers to tap nails into foam blocks. n The owner and the manager have a clear and ambitious vision for the pre-

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need to do better?

school. Staff morale is high and they work well as a team. Staff's well-being is paramount. All staff reflect on the pre-school to ensure that they provide the best outcomes for children. Staff attend training and share what they have learned with the rest of the team to further develop their skills and knowledge. n Staff gather detailed information from parents when children first start at the pre-school. They observe children's progress and rapidly identify any possible gaps in learning, which are addressed quickly. Staff share next steps with parents, along with ideas to continue learning at home. Parents comment that the pre-school has given their children the best possible start in life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff regularly attend training to help keep their knowledge up to date. They have a good knowledge of possible signs that a child is at risk of harm and of how to report concerns. Furthermore, they understand the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff. The manager carries out robust recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff working with children are suitable. Staff carry out regular checks of the environment, indoors and outdoors, to help them to identify and minimise any risks.

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should:

n review the implementation of large-group activities to ensure that all children are appropriately supported to develop their learning even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY292021 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10218258 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 21 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Sadberge Pre School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07711 965 612 Date of previous inspection 13 September 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Sadberge Pre-School registered in 2004. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 7.45am until 4.30pm. 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 pre-school 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 manager, owner and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the organisation and intent of the curriculum and how the environment is arranged. n The inspector observed the quality of the teaching throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint evaluation of the quality of the teaching during an activity. n The inspector held discussions with the management, staff and children.

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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

4 March 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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