You & Me Pre-School

Inspection of You & Me Pre-School The Cabin, Ashton Place, Chelmsford CM2 6ST

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated to learn. They access a wealth of fun, engaging and challenging activities. Children talk to their peers confidently and they engage together in learning. They display high levels of self-esteem, independence, and confidence in all they do. Children have secure bonds with their key person, and feel safe with them. They arrive and greet staff with warm hugs and smiles and this is mirrored by staff.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is excellent. They share, take turns and are kind to each other. Caring staff support children extremely well. They listen, question, and talk warmly to children to engage them successfully. Children are highly independent in their self-care. They master skills, such as pouring their own drinks and preparing their own snack, carefully cutting up bananas. Children take an active role in looking after play spaces and helping others.

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly engaged and imaginative in their play. They make up a role- play ice-cream shop, pretending to make ice cream and develop different flavours. Children call to the others out of the playhouse window, 'Come and get your ice creams'. Children talk about the weather being hot and how ice cream will help cool them down. They talk about how much the ice creams cost and say, 'That is 10 pounds please'.

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need to do better?

n The pre-school curriculum is ambitious and creative. Children are curious and have the freedom to follow their own interests. Staff are passionate about encouraging all children to succeed. Children are making exceptionally good progress, with some exceeding beyond expected levels. This ensures every child has the best possible start to their education. n Staff love working with children and this passion is evident in all that they do. They work positively as a team, led by a supportive and knowledgeable manager. She has high expectations for all staff and empowers them to continually develop their skills and knowledge. Staff work together as a team. They say that morale is high and how they are extremely motivated to provide the very best early years' experience for children. This has a positive impact on children's well-being, learning and development. n Children are curious and experimental. They explore the well-resourced and

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need to do better?

organised pre-school with excitement. In the mud kitchen, children make meals for staff who eagerly await to see what is for dinner. Children plant their own tomatoes, herbs and flowers, which helps develop their understanding of nature and how things grow. This helps them to make links and connections in their learning.

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need to do better?

21 June 2022 n Children spend lots of time outside in the fresh air and enjoy the freedom to explore. There are lots of opportunities for mark making using different tools. For example, children use brushes to make lines, patterns and shapes on the floor. Children confidently share their achievements with visitors and say, 'Look I am making patterns'. Children competently climb, balance and negotiate space. They take risks and manage these effectively to develop resilience. This helps to support their growing physical skills. n Staff expertly help children to develop their mathematical skills. Children engage creatively in the water tray, pouring water into different sized containers. They transfer water between trays and fill up buckets. Children readily count from one to 10 and beyond. They use mathematical language in their play, explaining the measuring jug is half full. n Partnership with parents is outstanding. Staff and parents work together in the

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need to do better?

best interests of the children. Parents talk fondly of the support they receive from staff and how their views are valued. They see how their children are progressing at home and are happy with how staff communicate with them. Staff use questionnaires to gather the views of parents. They reflect on this feedback and use it to continually make changes to benefit children extremely well. n Staff place great value on encouraging children's communication and language. Children are exceptionally confident speakers and are developing excellent communication skills. Staff check that children are listening and give them the time they need to process questions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and how to recognise possible signs of abuse. They know how to keep children safe and who to report concerns to. Staff keep up to date with regular training opportunities to develop their knowledge of safeguarding issues. Staff supervise children appropriately. They encourage children to keep themselves safe in an age-appropriate way. The manager has completed safer recruitment training and carries out the necessary checks to ensure staff's suitability. Robust procedures are in place to ensure children are protected from potential harm.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY546639 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10174427 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 46 Name of registered person You And Me Pre-School CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01245466535 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

You & Me Pre-School registered in 2017 and is run by a charitable incorporated organisation. The pre-school employs seven members of staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 4; three at level 3 and one at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9.05am until 3.05pm. 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 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 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 observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request. n The inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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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

21 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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