Cherry Tree Pre-School

Inspection of Cherry Tree Pre-School The Scout Hut, Cheriton Recreation Ground, Cheriton, Hampshire SO24 0QQ

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at this small pre-school, where there are high expectations for all children. They receive a warm welcome from staff, which helps them to settle quickly. Leaders identify that prioritising children's personal, social and emotional development is especially important following the COVID-19 pandemic. Children behave well and show high levels of engagement.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate that they feel safe at the pre-school. They approach staff readily for reassurance and comfort, knowing that they will meet their individual needs. Children develop good self-care skills. They learn to change their boots and shoes when they arrive in the morning and pour their own milk at snack time. Children move around the pre-school and outdoor area confidently. Staff prepare them well for changes and new routines through visual prompts. They praise children and celebrate achievements. Staff write these on 'leaves' and hang them on the celebration tree for everyone to read.

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The provision is good

All children make good progress in their learning and development. They access a wide range of activities. For example, they use their imaginations and creative skills as they build 'windmills', using construction toys. Children listen to well-loved stories and explore a range of mark-making resources.

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need to do better?

n The manager has a clear curriculum approach and is ambitious for children. Staff know what the children can do and what they need to learn next. Staff plan the environment so that children have opportunities to engage in an interesting range of learning experiences inside and outdoors. The manager ensures that additional funding for children targets their specific needs. All children make good progress in relation to their individual starting points. n The manager has successful strategies in place that promote partnerships with parents, local schools and other professionals. However, staff recognise that they can do more to broaden the children's understanding of cultural diversity and differences between themselves and others in the wider world they live in. n Children enjoy a range of experiences that support their physical skills. They ride scooters and 'tractors', climb the slope to the top of slide and balance on planks

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need to do better?

of wood that are set between tyres. Children develop strong levels of coordination and stamina. Staff use these everyday activities to support children in their understanding of keeping themselves and others safe. Staff guide children to change direction and move around their friends. Children hold out their arms to help themselves balance, and they remind their friends not to wait at the bottom of the slide in case they get bumped. n Staff support children to build a love of stories and books. They build literacy

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need to do better?

29 September 2022 into everyday routines. For instance, children enjoy looking at books independently and listening to stories with staff throughout the day. n A wide range of resources are available that children can access independently. This allows them to lead their own learning. Staff enjoy playing with the children. They understand when to join in play and when to allow children to explore independently. However, sometimes, staff ask too many questions and do not give children enough time to respond. This does not consistently support children to develop their critical-thinking skills. n Children enjoy using the attractive range of resources on offer. These have been carefully considered by staff to provide children with real objects and open opportunities to learn and explore. For example, they use a china tea set when making 'tea' for each other in the mud kitchen. n The manager provides staff with regular professional development opportunities

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need to do better?

online and face to face. For example, staff attend training that gives them a greater understanding of how to keep children safe while they are online. The manager carries out regular supervision sessions with staff. This gives staff the opportunity to discuss their professional development and receive feedback and enables the manager to check on their well-being. The manager invites teachers in from local schools to meet the children and to share information with them. This helps to prepare children for their next stage in education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have good knowledge of the indicators that a child may be at risk of harm. They follow robust procedures and work closely with outside agencies to ensure that information is consistently shared to keep children safe. The designated safeguarding lead fully understands her role and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Staff understand how to correctly report concerns regarding the welfare of children. They keep this training up to date. Staff carry out regular checks of the indoor areas and the garden to ensure that they are free from hazards. There are effective recruitment arrangements to ensure that staff are suitable, and remain suitable, for their role.

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should:

n strengthen opportunities for children to learn about cultural diversity outside of their own community n raise staff's understanding of the importance of effective questioning to help children to further enhance their critical-thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458949 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10228786 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 20 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Cherrytree (Cheriton) Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07979230019 Date of previous inspection 10 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Cherry Tree Pre-School registered in 2013 and is situated in Cheriton, Hampshire. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday during school term time only. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, sessions are from 8.30am to 3pm. On Friday, sessions are from 8.30am to 1pm. There are three members of staff who work with the children. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status and two are qualified to level 3 or above. 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together of all the areas of the pre-school and discussed the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the pre- school manager and discussed what they observed. n The inspector viewed written feedback from parents and took account of their views and opinions of the pre-school. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and 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

29 September 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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