Rodwell Pre-school

Inspection of Rodwell Pre-school OFF RODWELL AVENUE WEYMOUTH, DORSET DT4 8SG

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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 form close, positive relationships with staff. On arrival, they separate easily from parents at the entrance door. Children are happy and settled. They behave well and enjoy their time at this calm and inviting pre-school. During morning group time, children develop their imaginations and act out characters from familiar books. They are developing a love of stories.

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The provision is good

Children learn to be independent in their play and in self-help skills. They use toilets and wash hands independently, asking confidently for help when it is required. Children decide where to play and which activities to engage in. They are given time to complete their play to their own satisfaction. Children learn to put on coats and choose what to have at snack time, using these skills to prepare themselves in readiness for school.

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The provision is good

The manager is aware that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some children have had limited experiences of physical exercise. Because of this, all children spend lots of time in the garden. They get plenty of fresh air and develop their physical skills as they run, climb, kick balls and balance on blocks they have placed together to make roads. This provides further opportunities for children to develop strength in their bodies and to take risks in their play. Children explore nature in the garden. They find rain drops and spider webs, and observe them closely through magnifying glasses.

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need to do better?

n Children are motivated and have a positive attitude to their learning. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere, as every child is engaged busily in activities. Staff join in with children's play, and children are eager to tell them what they are doing. n Staff spend quality time engaging with children to find out about what they know and enjoy. They use this information to plan a curriculum across the areas of learning, which extends all children's experiences. However, at times, staff do not always offer enough challenging support during child-initiated activities, to fully extend children's learning. n Children practise developing their early writing skills regularly. Older children use dough with various tools, strengthening their hand muscles in readiness for writing. Younger children handle interesting small-world toys to develop their hand-to-eye coordination. n Staff support children who learn English as an additional language well. They

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need to do better?

learn and use key words in the children's home language to support children's confidence. Parents discuss information with staff about family cultures to reflect this in pre-school life. Children make good progress in their understanding of

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need to do better?

13 October 2022 English. They speak clearly to both staff and their friends about their needs and wishes. n Staff are knowledgeable about the needs of children who may need extra support. They work in partnership with parents and other professionals to ensure that children get the targeted help they need. However, when some staff teach children phonics, they do not always use the correct letter sound. Therefore, this does not always support children effectively to develop appropriate early language skills. n The manager and staff support children to be emotionally ready for their move on to school. For example, they invite teachers into the pre-school to see and interact with the older children. This helps children to become familiar with the adults who will be caring for them. n The manager and staff are dedicated to and passionate about their roles. They have high expectations for all the children they care for and want every child to

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need to do better?

become confident and successful in their learning. The manager supports staff well through supervision. Staff receive training to further their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum. They report that they feel well supported. n The key-person system is well established and effective. Parents mention the strong bonds that form between their children and staff. They describe the staff as 'like a family' and say that they are grateful for the support the pre-school provides.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that staff undertake safeguarding training and attend meetings to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff are knowledgeable about how to keep children safe. They know the signs to look out for in children and their wider families. Staff know who to report these concerns to, including to agencies outside of their setting. The manager follows robust procedures to ensure that those employed to work with children are suitable to do so. The premises are clean, safe and secure. Staff carry out checks to maintain good standards.

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should:

n enhance staff practice further to ensure they model how to pronounce sounds correctly when teaching phonics, to better support children's early language skills n help staff to adapt teaching during child-initiated activities, to fully extend children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141003 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10234215 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 26 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Rodwell Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01305 788270 Date of previous inspection 18 January 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Rodwell Pre-School registered in 1996 and is situated in Weymouth, Dorset. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9.15am until 3.45pm, during school terms only. They receive funding to provide free early years education for children aged two-, three- and four-years. There are five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate childcare qualification at level 4, three hold qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk, where she discussed how the curriculum is embedded in the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to parents and staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector looked at a selection of documents and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children.

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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

13 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.

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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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