Lydgate Pre-School

Inspection of Lydgate Pre-School Lydgate Junior & Infant School, Lydgate Road, Batley, Yorkshire WF17 6EY

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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 receive a warm welcome from the manager and staff when they arrive at the pre-school. They share news about their weekend as staff listen with interest. Children's behaviour is of a high standard. They are polite and helpful. They know the routines of the day and display good levels of independence. For example, they pour their own milk and spread cheese on their crackers. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the care of the nurturing staff team.

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The provision is good

Children show a very positive attitude to learning. They can choose from a wide variety of activities in the stimulating learning environment, both indoors and outside. They concentrate as they practise using scissors. They listen attentively to stories and join in with the actions to favourite songs and rhymes. Children develop their finger muscles as they roll dough into a variety of different shapes. The range of learning opportunities available helps prepare children to develop a real enthusiasm for learning.

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The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported extremely effectively. They are making good progress because staff understand their needs. This enables them to plan appropriate activities, often in partnership with professionals from other services, such as speech and language therapy. Parents are extremely grateful for the additional support staff provide.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff are passionate about providing children with a wide range of learning opportunities. All staff know the children extremely well. This enables them to plan experiences that help children to build on what they already know and can do. Staff recognise how to use individual children's interests to engage them. For example, they use children's interest in minibeasts to encourage them to count the number of legs on a spider. They provide interesting books, so children can identify the insects they have found. n The learning environment provides children with opportunities to learn about the world around them. A show home and construction toys have been set up because new houses are being built nearby. A visit to the building site is being planned. The role-play area has recently been set up as a mosque. This has enabled children to share their experiences of worship. For example, they show

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need to do better?

their friends that they remove their shoes before going in. n Interactions between staff and children are warm and respectful. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported, as several staff speak a range of different languages. Children's speech and communication are promoted, as staff speak clearly and give children time to respond to questions. However, staff do not consistently introduce sufficient vocabulary as children

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need to do better?

4 July 2022 play. For example, they do not talk about the textures and shapes as children roll and cut dough. They do not describe the food children eat at snack time. n Staff plan a range of different opportunities for children to visit the on-site school. They recently ate their snack in the dining hall. Staff have identified that some children need further support to be ready to write, for when they go to school. Therefore, they have created additional opportunities to make marks. The highly effective partnership with school staff supports children moving on to school. n Staff explain that many of the activities they provide are intended to help children to share and take turns. This is particularly effective outside, where staff use a sand timer to help children understand when they need to give someone else a turn on the tricycles. However, some children spend too much time on their own, or with a member of staff. Staff do not consistently invite

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need to do better?

children to join other children, for example, to play with a ball together or join in with a game. n Children benefit from healthy snacks. They are encouraged to try a range of different foods. They tell the inspector that they have eaten strawberries they have grown. Children can help themselves to water all day. They know when they must wash their hands. This promotes their health and well-being. n The manager leads by example and acts as an excellent role model. Staff are valued. They are actively encouraged to be involved in reflecting on how the pre-school could be developed even more. For example, staff are currently considering how to use additional funding to improve the outdoor area.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager takes her role as safeguarding lead very seriously. She ensures that staff can access appropriate training. Staff have a very secure knowledge of how to identify signs and symptoms of abuse. This includes an understanding of how to recognise a child may be at risk from extremist behaviour and female genital mutilation. Staff can confidently explain the steps they would take should there be an allegation against a member of staff. Robust procedures are in place to ensure that new staff are recruited safely. Staff carry out regular risk assessments. They supervise children carefully.

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should:

n support children's language development even further by introducing more vocabulary during activities n consider how staff can provide more opportunities for children to play with other children, so they can make new friends, share resources and take turns.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY556726 Local authority Kirklees Inspection number 10175017 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 35 Name of registered person Pre-School Learning Alliance

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reference number

Telephone number 01924 476464 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Lydgate Pre-School registered in 2018. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only, from 8.45am 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 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the provision and discussed the early years curriculum. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about the support given to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff.

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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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