Serendipity Pre School

Inspection of Serendipity Pre School Willow Road Community Centre, Willow Road, Darlington, Co Durham DL3 6PZ

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to learn indoors and outdoors. They move freely between the areas as they wish. Children show an interest in the well-thought-out activities which staff provide for them. They have fun filling spray bottles with paint as they experiment with filling and mixing colours. Children skilfully screw the tops on and giggle with excitement when they successfully spray onto the canvas. They confidently develop their physical skills. Children use their large- and small-muscle skills to roll large logs, look for insects and carefully plant seeds.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. They show good manners and respect for one another at mealtimes and during activities. For example, children show their friends where to sit and talk about the food they eat. They understand to wait in turn for the campfire lunch as they select their food to cook their dinner. Children understand the need for safety and discuss how to stay safe around the fire. They are delighted as they are then served their food. Children have a positive attitude to their learning. Older children show an interest in recognising the sound of the first letter in their name, in preparation for school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting and developing children's language. They repeat and pronounce words correctly. Staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'petal' and 'sprinkle', as children explore real flowers. Staff provide a commentary as children play. Older children use a range of language to share their knowledge of how fruits and vegetables grow. For example, they describe the size of a very large avocado stone as 'ginormous'. n Staff prioritise children's personal, social and emotional well-being. For example, children learn to put on and take off their coats and wellington boots to play outside. Children know routines well. Staff promote children's health well. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating and good oral hygiene. They are very independent in their self-care and remember to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. n Very good partnerships with parents enable staff to meet children's needs

p.2

need to do better?

successfully. Parents talk positively about the excellent progress which their children make in this rich and stimulating environment. They comment that staff are totally committed to their work and that children have formed exceptional relationships with them. Staff keep parents well informed about their children's progress and their daily routines to ensure that there is consistency in children's care and learning. n The quality of education is good overall, and, at times, some aspects are outstanding. Staff have high expectations for children. All children make good progress, including children who are in receipt of funded early education,

p.2

need to do better?

20 April 2022 children who speak English as an additional language and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. For example, staff provide resources in children's home language. However, at times, staff do not fully extend opportunities to progress children's learning to an even higher level by providing differentiation in activities for children who are most or less able. n The manager is dedicated to the pre-school. She reviews practice regularly to make sure that staff are meeting all children's needs. The manager provides staff with supervision sessions and regular staff meetings. There are some opportunities for more-experienced staff to model and share good practice. However, these arrangements have not been strengthened to help all staff to build on their relationships and develop their working practices to an even higher level. n Staff support children's move on to school effectively. They work well with the

p.2

need to do better?

local school to provide consistency for children's learning. Children take part in local authority initiatives with schools to ensure that children have the communication skills they need to support further learning. n Children enjoy opportunities to develop their mathematical skills. Staff provide mathematical resources for children to use, such as number puzzles and chalkboards to draw shapes. This supports children to develop their number and shape recognition skills.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are knowledgeable about child protection. They understand how to keep children safe and confidently identify the possible signs that a child may be at risk of harm. Staff know the procedures they should follow if they have concerns about children or a member of staff. They receive regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. Risk assessments are in place and staff carry out regular checks across the pre-school to ensure that hazards are removed or minimised. Staff are trained in paediatric first aid and follow the correct procedures in response to accidents.

p.3

should:

n provide extra challenge for children and build on what they already know and can do, in order to extend their learning to a higher level n support staff to strengthen their knowledge and expertise to embed consistency in the quality of education across the pre-school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY447362 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10201774 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Serendipity Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01325 787800 Date of previous inspection 15 March 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Serendipity Pre School registered in 2012. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including two who hold early years professional status or qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk. They discussed the learning environment and how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A senior staff member observed and evaluated an activity with the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and nominated person. She looked at relevant documentation, including the pre-school's self- evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector took account of parents' views through written feedback provided.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

20 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6