Swan Pre-School

Inspection of Skylark Pre-School 4 Shackleton Road, Rowner, Gosport, Hampshire PO13 9SG

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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 behave well and are happy and settled. They concentrate and keep on trying during activities they enjoy. Children celebrate their own and other children's achievements. For example, they say 'I am getting good at this' when they successfully identify words that begin with the same letter. Children listen attentively to stories and join in with the parts they know, for example about 'The Three Little Pigs'. Children also enjoy looking at books independently in a cosy den.

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The provision is good

Children learn about other cultures and beliefs. For instance, to celebrate Chinese New Year, they searched for lucky coins in shaving foam, made paper lanterns, listened to Chinese music and watched dragon dances on the internet. This helps children to appreciate diversity and accept people who are different from them.

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The provision is good

There are high expectations for all children and they develop the skills they need for the future. Children have very good opportunities to develop core strength and pre-writing skills. For instance, they enjoy taking part in yoga activities. Children also enjoy using sponge rollers and paint to make patterns on a large piece of paper attached to a garden fence. They enjoy using their hands to make marks in shaving foam on tables and windows. Children often play imaginatively, for instance, in an outdoor mud kitchen and a role play hairdressers.

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need to do better?

n The newly appointed manager works well with staff to evaluate and continually improve the curriculum and children's learning and development. Together, they have significantly increased the range of resources and activities available to children. As a result, children are very motivated to learn and are provided with an ambitious curriculum, both indoors and outdoors. n The manager talks to staff about the learning objectives for activities and role models good practice. She has a clear vision of the intent for children's learning which she shares with staff and encourages them to use their own ideas to achieve this. Staff have a good understanding of how to support and extend children's learning. n Staff encourage children to do things for themselves, for example to learn to put on their coats. Children confidently and independently choose activities and resources. However, staff have not considered ways to further develop children's

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need to do better?

independence, for example at mealtimes. n Staff successfully extend children's communication and language development. They join in children's play, respond to their interests and explain the meaning of words, for instance when they talk about 'northern lights'. Staff also teach children to use Makaton sign language to help younger children communicate. Parents are happy that their children are also using this at home to

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need to do better?

12 April 2022 communicate. However, staff do not encourage children who speak English as an additional language to use their home languages in their play, to extend their language development further. n Staff consistently encourage children to express their feelings and emotions. They form very positive relationships with children, ask what makes them feel happy or sad and offer lots of cuddles and reassurance. Staff work very well with parents to meet children's individual emotional needs, to help them feel secure. For instance, they have introduced initiatives that successfully support children's communication with their parents who are deployed away from home in the Navy. n Staff set clear expectations and boundaries with children and patiently explain that they must take turns, share the resources and use 'kind hands'. n Staff have improved the opportunities for children to learn about number. For

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need to do better?

example, to celebrate Easter, they hid plastic eggs in wet sand and encouraged children to count the numbers they found. Children persisted at this activity for some time. Staff also support children to learn and sing number rhymes and to learn about number during story times. n Managers work together well to support staff professional development. They have significantly improved the opportunities for staff to access training. All staff now have the opportunity to access online training that covers a variety of different subjects. Managers explain how the reduction in paperwork has enabled staff to engage more effectively with the children and extend their learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager, who is the designated safeguarding lead, has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to safeguard children. All staff complete child protection training which includes the 'Prevent' duty and have good opportunities to access other safeguarding training. Staff know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare and safety, or if an allegation is made against a member of staff. The premises are safe and secure. Staff have improved risk assessment. They supervise children well at all times to ensure they cannot independently access resources that may not be suitable for their age and stage of development.

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should:

n consider ways to support children to develop the confidence to use their home languages in their play n coach and support staff to support children's independence further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 109792 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10221218 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 13 Name of registered person Naval Under Fives (Eastern Area) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 077 7315 4757 Date of previous inspection 13 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Skylark Pre-School registered in 1992. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6pm, for most of the year. There are six staff employed; three hold relevant qualifications at level 3, one holds a level 2 qualification and two are unqualified. The setting receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk and joint observation with the manager. n The inspector talked with children, parents and staff during the inspection. n The inspector observed children taking part in activities, indoors and outdoors. n The inspector met with managers and discussed evaluation and improvements that have been made to children's care and learning.

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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

12 April 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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