Meadowlands Pre-School

Inspection of Meadowlands Pre-School Meadow County Primary School, Dolphin Crescent, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH66 4SZ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

All children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive an impressive start to their education at this pre-school. Parents no longer enter the playrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This helps to keep children safe from infection. However, children enter with confidence, excitement and a genuine happiness to be here. They independently find their own pegs and hang up their belongings. Staff's expectations of children are high. They instil a culture of positive behaviour and mutual respect. Children have learned the importance of sharing, taking turns and being patient. They are quickly developing important skills needed for school.

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The provision is good

Communication and language development is a particular strength at the pre- school. Children confidently hold back-and-forth conversations, both with staff and with their friends. They learn new words, such as 'smooth', 'slimy' and 'gloopy' to describe a sensory activity. Children use their growing communication skills to negotiate and compromise with their friends. For instance, they work together to resolve conflict and decide on the best way to share out the resources. Children are making good progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn. They plan an interesting curriculum that builds on children's skills over time. Staff have a secure knowledge of the different ways that children learn. For instance, they recognise when some children need a more interactive story time. This approach helps to ensure that children remain engaged and motivated to learn. n Children with SEND are particularly well supported. Robust procedures for early identification help to ensure that children receive additional support at the earliest opportunity. Staff work tirelessly to provide bespoke, inclusive care and education for children with SEND. This helps children to make good progress from their individual starting points and prepares them for future learning. n Literacy development is well promoted. Staff read to children with excitement and enthusiasm. Children giggle at staff's funny voices as they learn to role play

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need to do better?

familiar stories. They demonstrate good levels of recall when remembering different parts of the story. Children have a positive attitude to learning and are clearly developing a love of reading. n Children demonstrate independence, perseverance and resilience when learning to use safety knives. They work hard to skilfully master the art of the sawing motion needed to cut up raw vegetables. Children are determined and their success boosts their confidence and self-esteem. n Children have a lot of opportunities to develop good physical skills. They exercise their large muscles when learning to climb and balance. Children

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need to do better?

20 May 2022 strengthen their small finger muscles, scooping and pouring sensory materials. This improves their hand dexterity and prepares them for early writing. Older children confidently hold pens with precision and form some recognisable letters. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Pre-school staff work closely with parents to ensure a consistent two-way-flow of information. They have daily conversations with parents, offering support, guidance and information about children's development. This helps parents to extend children's learning at home and provides continuity of care for children. n Staff teach children about similarities and differences between themselves and others. Children learn about different faiths, beliefs and cultures in ways appropriate to their age. For instance, they explore different foods, clothing and heritage. This helps children to develop an understanding of the world and

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need to do better?

prepares them for life in modern Britain. n Leaders are knowledgeable and dedicated to providing quality care for children and families. They place a high priority on well-being and are praised by the staff team for their commitment. Staff have supervision meetings and receive support and guidance. However, the training and performance feedback they receive are not specific enough to improve their skills and knowledge further. Consequently, there are some inconsistencies in the quality of education. For instance, staff do not always consider how they can include children's next steps within free-choice activities. This means that not all learning opportunities build on what children already know and can do.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to protect children from harm. They know the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff understand how to refer any concerns beyond the leadership team if necessary. Leaders follow safe recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. They ensure that staff are deployed effectively to meet the individual needs of all children and keep them safe.

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should:

n strengthen the arrangements for training, coaching and mentoring of staff to raise the quality of education to the highest level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY249033 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10109877 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 30 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Meadowlands Pre School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01517339 8218 Date of previous inspection 22 November 2013

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Information about this early years setting

Meadowlands Pre-School registered in 2003 and is run by a committee. It operates from a purpose-built unit in the grounds of Meadow County Primary School, in Ellesmere Port. The pre-school employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. One staff member holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the pre-school and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the staff, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the managers. Documentation relating to the suitability of people working on the premises was checked. The inspector looked at qualification certificates and paediatric first-aid certificates.

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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

20 May 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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