West Hill Pre-School

Inspection of West Hill Pre-School West Hill Village Hall, Beech Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1UQ

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at the pre-school. They enjoy the broad range of learning experiences and benefit from a wide, well-planned curriculum. Children confidently choose to play indoors and outside, developing good physical skills and engaging in activities that ignite their curiosity. Children are excited to explore. Whether they are pretending to sell produce in the farm shop or sharing books and stories, they play well together.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well. They share and take turns without disagreements and have a good understanding of expectations. Children practise developing their small- muscle skills in preparation for early writing and starting school. They engage excitedly in conversation with staff, building on their vocabulary.

p.2

The provision is good

Communication has remained good between parents and staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This has helped children to feel safe and secure. Staff have kept parents updated through social media. They have organised scavenger hunts and set challenges, including activities such as yoga, stories and dancing. Although children are still dropped off at the door, staff greet each family individually and share information with parents so that they feel involved in their child's learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff know the children well. They find out what children already know and can do, and provide a wide variety of educational experiences based on their interests. Staff interact well with the children and allow them plenty of time to think, express their ideas and solve problems. n Children thoroughly enjoy role-play and acting out scenarios. Outside, children become 'police officers'. They use pencils and paper to write notes and enjoy working well together to build a kennel from bricks for the 'police dogs'. n Staff are good role models and interact in a kind and sensitive way with the children. As a result, children follow staff's lead. Their behaviour is good. Children understand that they need to share and take turns. n Children use their imagination well as they pretend to talk on the telephone. They weigh real fruit and vegetables on the weighing scales in the farm shop. Outside, children practise their balancing skills as they step from one log to the

p.2

need to do better?

next. They thoroughly enjoyed making potions with 'magic' water. n Most children follow instructions successfully as they form a circle for group time. More-confident children call out the answers when staff ask questions and demonstrate their good knowledge. However, sometimes, staff do not equally encourage the quieter, less-confident children to participate. Some activities are too lengthy to maintain children's interest. Consequently, some children lose concentration and look for something else to do.

p.2

need to do better?

20 October 2022 n Staff recognise the importance of good partnership working and the impact this has on children's learning. They liaise with parents effectively to build strong partnerships. Parents appreciate the good communication from staff. They recognise the positive impact that the staff have had on their children's confidence. There are effective procedures to liaise with other settings children attend. However, not all staff are clear on how to implement these. n Leaders and managers provide strong leadership for the staff team. They provide coaching for staff to identify training needs and celebrate achievements. Staff are encouraged to explore their interests and provided with specific training to support them in their role. For instance, staff complete forest school training, providing them with ideas to help build children's resilience, well-being and social skills, as well as broadening children's knowledge of the world.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children follow good hygiene routines and learn the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. They enjoy a social time as they have snack together. Children develop good independence skills as they spread butter onto crackers, pour their drinks for themselves and choose from a range of food. n Leaders and managers use self-evaluation effectively to bring about change. They are proactive in seeking early help for children when needed. They liaise effectively with parents and external agencies involved in children's lives to ensure they receive the help required. n Due to unforeseen circumstances, the provider failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the nominated individual within the required timescales. However, this was quickly rectified and there is no impact on the children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of child protection issues and safeguarding. They understand and are clear on their role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. They complete safeguarding training and can recognise the signs or symptoms which may indicate a child is at risk. They know the reporting procedure to follow. Staff know what to do if they have concerns about a colleague. They carry out thorough risk assessments on the premises and supervise children appropriately to ensure that they can play safely.

p.3

should:

n extend staff practices to encourage the quieter, less-confident children more in group activities to motivate their learning more effectively n ensure all staff are clear about procedures for sharing information with other settings, to ensure a consistent approach for children's learning and development.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY497796 Local authority Devon Inspection number 10259571 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person West Hill Pre-School

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07926691995 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

West Hill Pre-School re-registered in 2016, due to a change in organisational status. It operates from the village hall in West Hill, Devon. The setting opens from 9.15am to 3.15pm Monday to Friday during term time only. It receives funding to provide early education to children aged two, three and four years. Seven staff work with the children. Of these, two have qualified teacher status, one is qualified to level 6, two are qualified to level 3 and one is qualified to level 2.

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 deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk. She talked about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided inside and outside, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a joint observation. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector held discussions with the deputy manager and nominated individual. She spoke to staff and took account of their views. n The inspector sampled relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of staff

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

20 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