Woodlands Preschool Ltd

Inspection of Woodlands Preschool Ltd St. Bedes Catholic Primary School, Keepers Lane, Weaverham, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 3BY

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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 are relaxed and settled in this welcoming pre-school. They separate confidently from their parents and happily come into the pre-school chattering with their friends and eager to start the day. Children understand the routines of the pre-school. They hang up their coats, select their name for self-registration and sit together on a rug. They join in by saying 'good morning' to everybody and counting who is present. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children are polite, making comments such as 'thank you for giving me more raisins'. They also demonstrate patience as they wait for their turn at snack time. Children speak confidently to adults and form secure and trusting relationships with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children are fully engaged with the activities on offer. They play cooperatively in small groups and offer encouragement and support to their friends. For example, children work together to build a ramp using the wooden bricks. They hold it in place and take turns to roll their cars down the ramp. Children learn lots of new words. For example, they talk with excitement about the chicks which recently hatched in the pre-school, telling the inspector, 'I saw its little beak pecking on the egg'.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children and their families very well and speak with warmth and care about the children. They meet regularly to discuss the children's progress and to plan activities to support their next steps. When children join the pre- school, key workers assess their starting points and use this information to plan activities which will move children forward in their learning. n Following the COVID-19 pandemic, staff were aware that children found it more difficult to separate from their parents. Staff put a range of support in place and worked in partnership with parents to help children feel more relaxed at drop-off time. This joint approach was very successful in improving children's confidence. n Staff have a clear focus on preparing children for their transition to school. Children benefit from regular visits to the school next door to join in celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas. The Reception class teacher also

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need to do better?

visits the pre-school to read stories to them. This helps children to become familiar with their new teacher. n Parents are hugely complimentary of the pre-school and staff. They enjoy receiving regular photos and videos of their children and comment that the staff are 'helpful and approachable – they do a brilliant job'. Parents value the staff and refer to them as 'like a family'. n Children enjoy the range of activities at the pre-school, choosing what they want to play with in the well-organised space. They search enthusiastically for letters in a tray of coloured foam and politely serve pretend cakes and drinks to their

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need to do better?

9 June 2022 friends. This helps to develop children's concentration, curiosity and early literacy skills. n Although staff use children's interests as a basis for the activities they provide, activities sometimes lack a clear intention. Furthermore, children have limited opportunities to do things for themselves, such as cutting out their pictures. This means that children's knowledge and skills are not always effectively developed. n Children have lots of fun playing and riding bikes in the outdoor space. They work together to set up an obstacle course, which demonstrates their cooperative skills. They go under and over the poles and challenge themselves to go higher or faster. These activities develop their physical skills well. Children also benefit from lots of outdoor learning. For example, they enjoyed a recent visit to a running track and have regular walks in the woodland area. n Children are keen to point out photos of themselves cleaning their teeth at the

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need to do better?

pre-school. They wash their hands and choose from a range of fruits at snack time. Children also receive lots of praise from staff for remembering to cover their mouth when coughing. This means that children have a good understanding of how to be healthy. n Children with any additional needs are well supported. The pre-school is proactive in seeking additional advice and guidance from outside agencies and sharing this information with parents. This helps to promote continuity in children's learning. n Staff speak highly of the pre-school leaders and the positive support which they receive. They are encouraged to identify any gaps in their own professional skills or knowledge and training is planned to develop these areas accordingly. Newer staff are appreciative of the thorough induction and information which they received prior to starting their role.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand their role in safeguarding children. They know the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk. They know who to talk to about any concerns about a child's welfare or if allegation is made against a member of staff. Suitability checks are carried out on all staff to ensure they are suitable to work with children. Staff always supervise children. They also ensure the premises are safe and secure. As a result, children's safety is fully assured.

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should:

n support staff to help them focus more sharply on the learning intentions of activities n improve the curriculum to help further develop children's independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2571934 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10239427 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Woodlands Preschool Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07900793225 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Woodlands Pre-school Ltd registered in 2020 and is situated in Weaverham, Cheshire West. The pre-school is on the site of St Bede's Catholic Primary School. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status and four members of staff hold a qualification at level 3 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The pre-school leader and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. 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 that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents and grandparents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

9 June 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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