Abbey 345 Pre-School

Inspection of Abbey 345 Pre-School Postland Road, Crowland, Peterborough PE6 0JA

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children show spirit and confidence. They develop strong relationships with staff, who know them very well as individuals. Children benefit from a curriculum that provides them with enriching experiences. Children, including those who speak English as an additional language, are supported to make good progress in their communication and language skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff offered support to parents to help them further engage and extend their children's learning at home. Staff arranged regular video calls with children to read them stories. This helped children to maintain relationships with staff and provided support for their seamless return to pre-school when the time came.

p.2

The provision is good

Children immerse themselves in their play and sustain their interest in activities for long periods. For example, children concentrate as they adjust the height of plastic pipes to see how they can send balls down them in different ways. They spend time developing their creative ideas as they use paint, leaves and glue. Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement from staff, who introduce new words, such as 'autumnal'. This empowers children and builds their confidence, self-esteem and vocabulary. Children develop friendships with their peers. They play well alongside each other, especially as they use their imagination in the role play kitchen and hospital.

p.2

need to do better?

n The inspirational manager takes pride in her long-standing staff team. Staff are very supportive of each other and comment that working at the pre-school is like being part of a wider family and they feel supported and valued. n Staff are encouraged to access targeted training to continue to build on their skills and knowledge. They speak positively about their recent forest school training. The manager said that this gives children the opportunity to experience nature at a 'primitive level'. n Staff understand how to teach children and know what they want them to learn next. They provide a good balance of free-play activities and adult-guided experiences. However, staff do not always make the most of their interactions with children to fully challenge and extend their learning. n Staff develop strong partnerships with parents. The manager and staff are sensitive to children's individual needs and the needs of their families. Parents

p.2

need to do better?

have nothing but praise for the pre-school. They comment that they, as well as their children, feel supported in the early years journey. n Staff provide children with a good range of opportunities to explore the outdoor area. This helps children to develop their physical skills. Children take turns, and patiently wait for their friends, as they confidently negotiate an obstacle course. They climb onto the rope swing and lie back to look up at the canopy of leaves

p.2

need to do better?

5 October 2022 above them. n Staff create a rich, communication-friendly environment for children. Children are keen communicators and confidently answer questions about why leaves are falling from the trees. They share what they know as they explain that the leaves are falling because of the wind. Children recall previous learning as they say, 'The leaves are changing colour ready for the Winter.' n Staff give high priority to promoting children's literacy skills. Children listen to stories each day and delight in answering questions as they recall what was read. They borrow books to take home from the pre-school lending library, further promoting their love of reading at home. Children's literacy is further enhanced through a range of resources to promote their mark-making skills. For example, children confidently use pencils to draw and start to identify the letter that starts their name. n Staff support children who receive additional funding, such as pupil premium.

p.2

need to do better?

They provide activities, such as forest school, where children experience outdoor pursuits and learn more about the world around them. Equally, staff support children with special educational needs and or/disabilities. They identify children who may need additional help or early intervention and agree support plans swiftly. The pre-school works in close partnership with outside agencies to ensure there is a collaborative approach to children's learning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand the reporting procedures they must follow if they have concerns about a child or adult. They are confident of the signs and symptoms of abuse that may indicate that a child is at risk of harm. Staff's safeguarding knowledge remains up to date through refresher training that is frequently revisited during staff meetings. Children have a good knowledge of how to keep themselves safe. They independently risk-assess and confidently tell visitors about the different safety rules. For example, they say, 'only one allowed,' on the indoor trampette. An effective recruitment procedure is followed to ensure staff are suitable for their roles. Existing staff's ongoing suitability is successfully monitored by the manager.

p.3

should:

n extend staff's skills to enable them to build on their interactions with children to further extend and challenge children's learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY481023 Local authority Lincolnshire Inspection number 10233391 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 54 Name of registered person Abbey 345 Pre-School CIO

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01733 212399 Date of previous inspection 7 October 2016

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Abbey 345 Pre-School re-registered in 2014. It is located in Crowland, Lincolnshire. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two who hold a level 6 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 the inspector completed a learning walk to discuss the pre- school's early years curriculum. n Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 manager and inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to several parents and took account of written feedback offered.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

5 October 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6