Ashdene Independent Pre-School

Inspection of Ashdene Independent Pre-School Thoresway Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 6LJ

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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

Children thrive in the pre-school. They have positive relationships with staff. For example, children learn about healthy eating as they make their own fruit smoothies. When anxious about the loud noise from the blender, children readily receive cuddles and reassurance from staff. Children are happy and safe.

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The provision is good

Children experience lots of engaging learning opportunities. For example, they learn about different kinds of animals when they are brought to visit the pre- school. Children learn about people who help them when police and firefighters visit. A large outdoor space is designed to support children's learning. Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills as they climb and run. They practise mark making and early writing on a large chalkboard. Children make their own choices and guide their own play as they move freely between the inside and outside areas. Staff set high expectations for children, which helps their knowledge and skills to develop over time.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They follow instructions and understand the boundaries put in place for them. Children are kind and friendly towards one another. They show a high level of respect for others. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, children leave their parents at the door. They enter happily, eager to play and learn.

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need to do better?

n Teaching is of a high quality. Staff know children well and focus activities on what children need to learn next. For example, staff teach children the starting sounds of words. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress in their learning. n Mathematics is embedded throughout the day. For example, staff help children to count and encourage them to compare the weights of different objects. Children enjoy singing songs, such as 'Five currant buns'. Staff provide knitted buns and physical numbers. This supports children's understanding of mathematical concepts. n Children usually behave well. For example, during circle time, children listen intently and take turns. However, occasionally children become unsettled during times of transition. For example, children are restless as they have to wait for others to finish their lunch. This hinders children's ability to behave well.

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need to do better?

n Children develop superb independence skills as they go to the on-site school for lunch. They choose which hot meal they would like and politely ask the catering staff for it. Children carry their own trays to the table. During lunchtime, children communicate and socialise with their friends. This helps to support a smooth transition when children move on to school. n Children learn the language of emotions. For example, they are invited to share

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need to do better?

4 July 2022 how they are feeling as they talk about the book 'The Colour Monster'. Children are reassured that it is okay to have different feelings. They talk about what they could do to help each other to feel better if they are feeling sad. This helps to build children's self-esteem as they become confident in expressing themselves. n Equality and diversity is celebrated. Children share books about different cultures and types of families. People who celebrate different festivals, such as Diwali, visit pre-school to share their experiences. Children learn to appreciate each other's differences and celebrate their individuality. Stereotypes are challenged and staff promote children's understanding by encouraging them to ask questions, which staff answer openly. This helps to prepare children for life in modern Britain. n The pre-school committee has good oversight and provides effective support to management. Managers monitor staff practice to ensure it is of a high standard.

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need to do better?

Staff attend a variety of training to support them in their roles, such as food hygiene and oral health. The well-qualified staff team contributes to the high- quality education being provided. n Parents are extremely happy with the pre-school. They praise the support for children with SEND and links with the local school. Parents receive regular communication and are invited into the pre-school for parents' evenings to discuss children's progress. The pre-school sends home borrow bags to help promote continuity in children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The pre-school is secure and staff take regular action to minimise risk to children. For example, before children enter the garden, staff check that it is secured and safe. Staff have good knowledge of signs of abuse and how to report any concerns they have. They have prompts on lanyards to help remind them of key information. The number of children present is checked and updated every thirty minutes to help ensure all children are accounted for. The pre-school only allows children supervised access to technology, which helps to keep children safe from online dangers.

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should:

n reflect on times of transition, so that children do not spend too long waiting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 304957 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10129235 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Ashdene Independent Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01625 521794 Date of previous inspection 11 March 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Ashdene Independent Pre-School registered in 1987 and is situated in Wilmslow. It operates term time only, Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm. The pre- school employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 4 and three at level 3. 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 pre-school and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The chair of the committee spoke to the inspector during the inspection and shared their views of the pre-school. n The management team and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to 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 special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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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

4 July 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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