Buckden Preschool Playgroup

Inspection of Buckden Preschool Playgroup The New Millennium Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 5UY

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The provider has failed to ensure that all legal roles and responsibilities are met. Some members of the management committee have not completed the necessary checks so that Ofsted can establish their suitability. Changes to the nominated individual have not been notified to Ofsted as required. However, committee members do not work directly with children. This means that the impact to children's safety is minimal.

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and settle quickly as they are welcomed by friendly staff. They know the pre-school routine well. For example, they hang up their coats and bags before sitting on the carpet for a short registration. Children build strong bonds with staff. They are confident to ask for help or seek reassurance should they feel upset. Children show respect towards each other, learn to share, and take turns with their friends. They respond positively to staff's consistent approach and gentle reminders about their expectations for behaviour.

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The provision requires improvement

Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside. They enjoy regular visits to the local play park where they learn how their bodies move, such as when they climb steps to the slide or carefully use a firefighter pole to descend. Children freely choose from a good range of resources and activities. They develop a love of books and freely choose stories, which staff read on request and during circle times. Children use seed trays to create multiple sandcastles. They count to nine accurately as they imagine pebbles are birthday candles.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the committee members, including changes to the nominated individual. Although there are breaches to the requirements, the impact to children's safety is minimal because the suitability of staff working directly with children is checked appropriately. n Staff talk to children as they play. They introduce words that help children to build a wide vocabulary. Staff are eager to help children to learn and develop their ideas. However, at times, staff ask children lots of questions in rapid succession. This does not give children enough time to think and formulate a response. n Staff are vigilant to identify potential hazards to children's safety. For example, they carefully check the play park for possible risks before children play. Although staff tell children how to use the play equipment, they do not always explain why this is important. For example, staff do not explain why children

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need to do better?

must wait for their friend to go down and clear the bottom of the slide before the next child has their turn. Children follow staff's instructions; however, they do not develop an understanding and awareness of how to play safely.

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need to do better?

26 April 2022 n The acting manager has established a clear curriculum, which is shared effectively with staff. There is a strong focus to help children to develop good communication and language skills. Staff plan effectively to help children build their knowledge over time and to prepare them for the eventual move to school. n Parents are very positive about the staff and the pre-school. They say that their children receive very good care and that they enjoy attending. Parents state that they see the progress their child makes, especially in their confidence and independence. They add that they are well informed about what their child needs to know next and how to support this at home. n Staff are well qualified and say that they enjoy working at the pre-school. They state that they feel well supported in their role and in seeking professional development opportunities. Staff are committed to developing their knowledge

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need to do better?

and skills. They share information with each other to build the quality of teaching overall. For example, staff share information from training courses that help to develop children's communication and language skills. n Staff know children well. They reflect daily on children's interests and preferences to help them plan experiences that will captivate children's attention. Staff know what each child needs to learn next and skilfully adapt their conversations and approach to help each child to make good progress. n Staff quickly identify when a child may need extra support. They work well with parents and other professionals to implement targeted support. Staff working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have the appropriate training.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive regular training and updates about safeguarding to help them understand their roles to protect children from harm. They know the possible indicators for child abuse and neglect and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child or adult working with children. Staff demonstrate an appropriate understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the risks to children of female genital mutilation or being exposed to extremist views. The committee follows appropriate recruitment processes, which helps to ensure the suitability of adults working with children.

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Due date

26 April 2022 ensure that Ofsted is provided with the necessary information to enable suitability checks to be carried out for all members of the committee 10/05/2022

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Due date

ensure that the members comprising the committee fully understand their roles and responsibilities to fulfil the requirements of the early years foundation stage. 31/05/2022

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should:

n enhance staff's understanding of how children develop communication and language skills and give children time to think and answer questions posed to them n help children to understand what may present as a risk to their safety and learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 221840 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10237258 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 19

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Name of registered person

Buckden Pre-School Playgroup Association Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 0794 167 1999 Date of previous inspection 10 July 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Buckden Preschool Playgroup has been operating since 1969 and is committee run. The committee employs three members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. 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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff 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 on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

26 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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