The Village Station Preschool

Inspection of The Village Station Preschool Pagham Village Hall, Pagham Road, Bognor Regis, Sussex PO21 4NJ

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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

Older children are very confident. They wave goodbye to their parents and carers at the bottom of the stairs and climb up independently. Children clearly know the routines well, putting their belongings away in readiness to start their day. Younger children have the support they need to settle in swiftly. For instance, they go to a favourite activity with a familiar adult when they arrive. This helps children to be ready to engage in all opportunities and experiences that staff provide for them.

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The provision is good

Children are keen to explore. They run outdoors, eager to see what staff have set up for them to play with. They clearly enjoy fishing for toy ducks, making flower potions and exploring the sand. Indoors, children wonder at how ice melts and are creative with paints. They are enthusiastic and self-motivated during their time at the pre-school.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they have a can-do attitude. They keep on trying, such as when cutting up cereal boxes with scissors, or when putting their socks on. Children show determination. Older children are very caring with younger children. For example, they help them lift large blocks out of the storage trolley. Children show positive behaviour and attitudes to each other and their learning.

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need to do better?

n The provider and manager have clear aims for the pre-school curriculum and what they want children to learn. There is a strong focus on supporting children's speech, for example. Staff are positive role models, supporting children to hear new words, such as through songs and stories. Staff hold lively conversations with children, who are learning to be effective communicators. n Staff know the children they care for well. They understand how children learn and build on what they can already do. For example, staff use children's interest in growing plants to explore flower parts as they make potions. Children learn a variety of skills such as tearing, mixing, pouring and squeezing. Staff help children develop their physical skills effectively as they play. n Children learn to manage their feelings and emotions effectively. Staff have recently reflected on the pre-school activities and resources, and they have

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need to do better?

developed further areas to support children's emotional well-being. Children know how to take turns, for instance, by confidently fetching sand timers to help them. Children are learning strategies to support themselves to move on to the next stage in their education. n Children show they are learning a range of concepts and ideas from staff. For example, they understand the importance of taking the register in case the fire alarm sounds. Staff use opportunities as children play to introduce further ideas, such as talking about keeping safe online.

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need to do better?

19 July 2022 n Children generally know the routines of the pre-school. However, at times, these routines can disrupt the time children have for play and learning. Children wait unnecessarily as they prepare to go indoors, for example. They are not engaged in learning as staff tidy up. n Occasionally, children's individual learning needs are not supported to the very highest levels. For instance, at times during story sessions and during daily routines, younger children need more support than is consistently given. Occasionally, staff do not have the same expectations for younger children and complete tasks for them that they could manage themselves. Younger children do not consistently have the same high-quality experiences at pre-school as older children. n Parents talk to the inspector very positively about the support staff offer them and their children. Parents say they feel included with their children's time at the

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need to do better?

pre-school, for instance, as communication from staff is very effective. n Staff build effective partnerships with other settings children attend and with external professionals who work with children. This supports high levels of continuity for children's care and learning. n The provider ensures staff development is a priority to support a good-quality pre-school for children to learn in. For instance, staff have developed their skills and knowledge to support children's communication. This is seen in their practice and their confidence to help children learn new words. Staff comment positively about the support they receive from the provider and manager.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider follows a safer recruitment process to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. She ensures all staff have the knowledge to keep children safe at all times. Staff attend regular training to keep their skills and knowledge current. They understand the signs and possible indicators of abuse. Staff know where to take any concerns they may have about children's welfare. They know how to escalate concerns if necessary, including those about other members of staff.

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should:

n review and adapt routines to help children engage in play and learning to the highest levels at all times n consider and revise how to help younger children even further so that they have the same high-quality support and high expectations from staff as the older children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2533411 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10208522 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 22 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Ide, Emma Jane

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reference number

Telephone number 07856705415 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Village Station Preschool re-registered in 2019. The pre-school is located in Pagham, West Sussex. The pre-school opens on Monday and Thursday from 9am to 2.30pm, and on Tuesday and Friday from 9am to 1pm, during school term time only. There are five staff who work with the children, four of whom are qualified to at least level 3. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 provider and manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they intend for the children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n A meeting was held between the inspector, provider and manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and saw evidence of suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

19 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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