Sunshine Pre-School (Kirkhill)

Inspection of Sunshine Pre-School (Kirkhill) 22 Abbey Meadows, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2BD

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enter the pre-school happily. They separate from their parents easily and run in eager to start their day. Staff encourage children to recognise their names on the pegs and independently hang their coats up. Children are safe in the pre- school. Staff supervise them well. They teach children about how to keep themselves safe. For example, when out in the community, children learn about road safety. Staff plan challenging activities which, overall, motivate and interest children. Children enjoy exploring colour and patterns as they paint pictures of daffodils. They look carefully at the flowers and learn new words, such as 'stem' and 'bud'. Children respond to staff's praise and show high levels of self-esteem. They proudly put their pictures in their bags to take home to show their parents.

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The provision is good

Children persevere and try hard during activities. For instance, younger children work out how to fit the pieces into a jigsaw puzzle. Older children explore how to use pipettes to transfer water between containers. Children happily chat and share resources when they play. They recreate home experiences when they play with a dolls' house and in the role play kitchen. Children set the table and pretend to cook tea. Staff encourage children to recognise and talk about their emotions. They play games which help children to explore how they are feeling.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan a curriculum which follows children's interests and generally takes account of what they need to learn next. Children are enthusiastic, have a positive attitude to their learning and develop skills that they need for their future learning. However, staff do not consistently think about the skills that the youngest children need to learn during adult-led activities. n Children develop their early literacy skills well. They practise their fine-motor skills as they use scissors to cut, pretend to write letters, and make marks with paintbrushes and water outdoors. Staff make sure that they read stories and sing songs with children each day. n Staff encourage children to extend their mathematical skills when they play. For example, children compare the size of their dinosaurs, count how many children are present and take part in the actions of number rhymes. Younger children confidently recognise and name shapes during activities.

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need to do better?

n Staff support children's language development well. They provide a commentary on children's play and introduce new vocabulary. Staff ask children questions which encourage them to give a detailed response. Children become confident communicators. n Staff support children to have an awareness of the diverse world in which they live. They provide pictures, books, resources and dolls which reflect the differences among children. Children learn about events that are important to

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need to do better?

24 March 2022 others, such as Chinese New Year. n Children learn to be independent. They use the toilet on their own and know the importance of washing their hands. Children very ably pour their drinks at lunchtime. Staff work with parents to make sure that children bring a healthy and balanced packed lunch each day. n Children behave very well. Staff explain clearly how they expect them to behave. They teach children to share, take turns and listen to each other. Children are kind and caring to their friends. n Staff provide parents with regular information about the activities their children have taken part in. They give verbal feedback at the end of each session. Parents are happy with the service that the pre-school provides. However, staff do not consistently share precise information with parents about their children's development. n Staff make sure that children have opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air

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need to do better?

each day. Children develop their physical skills when they visit nearby parks. They learn about the natural world, for example as they plant and look after sunflowers. n The manager supports staff to manage their workload and maintain their well- being. She makes sure that staff keep their knowledge of statutory requirements up to date. However, she does not target professional development, or focus the monitoring and supervision of staff, to extend the quality of their practice to an even higher level.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of how to protect children. They know who to contact to seek advice or raise concerns. Children play in a secure environment. Staff check the environment on a daily basis to make sure that it remains a safe place for children to learn in. Children learn how to manage appropriate risks themselves. For example, they know not to run indoors and learn how to use scissors safely.

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should:

n plan adult-led activities more carefully to take account of the skills that younger children need to learn n share more detailed information with parents about their children's levels of development, to provide continuity in children's learning n extend the monitoring of staff's practice and their professional development, to raise the quality of education to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2533465 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10215153 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Sunshine Pre-School (Morpeth) Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07980338014 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Sunshine Pre-School (Kirkhill) registered in 2019 and is located in Morpeth, Northumberland. It operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. There are six staff, all of whom are qualified at level 3 or above. 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what staff want children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing in the pre-school. n The inspector and the manager evaluated an adult-led activity together. n The inspector talked to staff and the manager at appropriate times during the inspection, and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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 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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