Droitwich Salvation Army Pre-School

Inspection of Droitwich Salvation Army Pre-School The Salvation Army, Ombersley Way, Droitwich WR9 0AB

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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 confidently and independently enter the setting, eager to begin their day. They are warmly greeted and welcomed by smiling staff. Children know where to store their belongings and packed lunch before choosing what to play with and where to play. Children are encouraged to learn about the world around them and their local community through regular outings. They often visit the library, park and residents at the local nursing home.

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The provision is good

All staff have a good knowledge of children's development and put in place early interventions to support children who may need additional support. There is an effective key-person system in place to allow children to build relationships within the setting. Staff work closely with multi-agency professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities get the support from the correct agencies. Management and staff are all offered training from outside agencies and authorities to allow them to meet the needs of all children within the setting.

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need to do better?

n Staff encourage children to make healthy choices. They provide them with a café style snack, which consists of fruit, crudites and toast. The younger children self- select what they would like, while older children are encouraged to use a knife to butter their own toast and cut it into four pieces. Staff talk children through the process of spreading the butter and help them to count how many pieces they can cut their toast into. n Partnership with parents is an extremely important part of the setting. Staff work hard to build these relationships, offering parents support at monthly parent forums, with each meeting having a different topic of interest. The latest meeting discussed parents' mental health. The setting works closely with the local primary school, and together they have created a network of system for parents, offering the opportunity to have free counselling should they wish. However, staff do not always make parents aware of children's next steps or

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need to do better?

learning and development within the setting. n Staff promote oral health well. A local dentist recently came into the setting to talk to children. Children interacted with different toys and toothbrushes. All children receive a toothbrush and a reward chart for brushing their teeth twice a day. Staff give parents an information pack on how to encourage children to brush their teeth and information on how to contact the local dentist to arrange regular check–ups for all children. n Children behave well within the setting. Staff encourage children to share resources, take turns and welcome other children into their play. Children are polite to each other and use good manners when talking to staff. On the odd occasion they forget, staff gently remind them to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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need to do better?

4 November 2022 n Staff plan the curriculum around the interests of the children and their next steps. However, at times, staff do not precisely plan activities around children's current abilities and individual skills to the highest level. For instance, group activities do not always target the learning needs of some children or challenge them appropriately. n Communication and language are embedded through the curriculum. Children are keen to listen to stories and encouraged to join in with songs and rhymes. Staff constantly talk to children during activities, introducing new words and praising children when they repeat the word, giving the children a sense of achievement and pride in their abilities. n Staff feel supported by leadership and management. Staff report that management support them with their well-being and that they feel really valued as part of the team. The open-door policy allows staff to feel supported within

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and providers ensure that all staff are confident and secure in understanding their roles to keep children safe. Staff have regular training to keep their skills and knowledge current. They know the signs of possible abuse and how to report any concerns about children's welfare. Staff recruitment follows a robust process to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Effective supervisions, appraisals and checks are embedded in practice, allowing staff to reflect and share information regularly. Staff check and minimise hazards to children's safety through daily risk assessments of the setting.

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should:

n make parents aware of their children's next steps and learning opportunities n encourage staff to plan activities more closely around children's current abilities, individual skills and their next steps, to provide them with more targeted challenge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487018 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10236627 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Salvation Army Trustee Company (The)

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reference number

Telephone number 01905 794179 Date of previous inspection 14 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Droitwich Salvation Army Pre-School registered in 2015 and is situated in Droitwich. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 2.45pm, during term time only. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above.

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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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

4 November 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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