Pre-School Stars

Inspection of Pre-School Stars Cippenham Community Centre, Earls Lane, Cippenham, Slough, Berkshire SL1 5DJ

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive excited to learn at this welcoming nursery. They quickly form positive relationships with staff, which helps them feel safe and secure in their environment. Staff respond sensitively to children's individual care needs when approached for support or reassurance. Children readily engage in the varied and interesting activities on offer. They get fully engrossed in both independent and group play. For example, children handle and explore real vegetables. They carefully peel each layer of an onion and are encouraged to comment on the smell. This inspires their natural curiosity to investigate and discover.

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The provision is good

Children show a love for books. They listen intently to stories read by staff and happily share books of their own choosing with others. Younger children have their favourite books based on their interests, such as animal picture books. They hear the animal names and practise the noises these make. Older children develop their thinking skills and answer staff's questions related to the story. In this way, children deepen their understanding of the content and features of books.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and learn to be courteous towards others. Staff are good role models and teach children to be kind and compassionate. They also use songs to help children learn words they need to show good manners. This helps to create an atmosphere of mutual respect.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have worked hard to support children's personal, social and emotional skills following the COVID-19 pandemic. They have worked effectively with parents to aid children's smooth transition into the setting. For example, children are offered tailored settling-in sessions of varying durations. n The manager and staff are committed to helping children develop good communication and language skills. They encourage children to talk as well as to join in with actions and lyrics from their favourite songs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified through accurate assessments. Staff swiftly seek support and advice from outside agencies to help address any gaps in children's learning and development. Children with speech delay benefit from this additional support and use a growing vocabulary. n The manager has high expectations for all children in her care. She has devised

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need to do better?

a curriculum that is sequenced and covers all areas of learning. Staff assess children's learning regularly. As a result, they know what children know and can do. Overall, staff are aware of what they want children to learn next. However, when planning for individual children, this is not fully embedded. Therefore, children's learning is not taken to an even higher level. n Children show positive attitudes to learning. This is demonstrated when staff

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need to do better?

30 November 2022 share experiences from the diverse cultures represented in the setting. For instance, staff teach children dance moves from an African culture. Children smile broadly and clearly enjoy participating in these activities. This helps them to consider similarities and differences between their own cultures and those of others. n Staff place a strong emphasis on developing children's understanding of what it means to be healthy. For example, children practise the sequence of washing hands properly. They comment that they have reminded their parents not to put chocolate cake in their lunch box. They understand that sugary foods are bad for their teeth. Parents and staff have received training from an external professional on good oral hygiene, including how to teach children to brush their teeth efficiently. This joint approach of working is proving to be successful. n Children show a keen interest in being active. They run, ride tricycles and

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need to do better?

navigate around the road track in the garden with increasing control. Children understand the importance of exercise for staying fit. For instance, they say they are counting their steps when walking inside. Staff provide children with opportunities to develop their small muscles in preparation for using equipment with precision. This helps to prepare children for their next stage in education effectively. n The manager demonstrates a high regard for supporting staff's well-being. Staff feel valued and appreciate that the manager is available for any queries they may have. The manager uses supervisions to support staff's professional development. However, this approach is yet to be fully effective in developing individual staff's skills and knowledge to provide consistent practice of a high quality.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have an appropriate understanding of how to protect children from harm. They know possible signs and symptoms that may indicate children are at risk of abuse, including exposure to extremist views and behaviours. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow if they identify any concerns about a child's welfare. The manager follows robust recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. The manager trains her staff on local safeguarding matters on a regular basis. Staff make careful risk assessments to ensure the areas of the nursery used by children are safe.

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should:

n refine planning so that staff have a clearer understanding of what they want individual children to learn from the activities they provide

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should:

30 November 2022 n strengthen staff support and coaching to make these more precisely linked to staff's individual areas for development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 105637 Local authority Slough Inspection number 10263223 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Pre-School Stars Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01753 731705 Date of previous inspection 25 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Pre-School Stars registered in 2002. It is situated in Cippenham in Slough, Berkshire. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, between 9am and 3pm, term time only. It employs seven staff, one of whom holds early years professional status. Three staff hold a relevant level 3 qualification, and two staff have an appropriate level 2 qualification. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 and the inspector completed a tour of the premises and discussed the curriculum on offer. n The inspector observed teaching practices and considered the impact these have on children's learning. n The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, children and parents. n The inspector sampled some of the setting's documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff to work with 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

30 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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