Alderbury Preschool

Inspection of Alderbury Preschool Alderbury And West Grimstead School, Firs Road, Salisbury SP5 3BD

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 confident and happy. They have a wide variety of activities to choose from that they enjoy. Children build roads out of sand, smoothing it out for toy trucks to travel over. They ask staff what foods they enjoy eating and use their imaginations to cook giant cheese sandwiches out of wooden blocks. Staff encourage the use of creative language in children's play to support them in using new words. Younger children play with tactile resources such as cold, cooked and dry pasta, which they explore with fascination. They practice fine motor control skills as they thread dry spaghetti through the holes in colanders and sustain their concentration as they learn to use tools precisely, using tweezers to select strands of cooked pasta.

p.2

The provision is good

Children feel safe and secure. They play well with one another and learn to negotiate with other children with help from staff. Children who need quiet time sit in quiet, comfortable areas, such as the outdoor hut. They snuggle into a beanbag and enjoy looking through their favourite book.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear vision and provide a holistic curriculum. This ensures that children develop socially, learn to be part of a community, and learn the key skills they need to be confident and ready for their next stages of development. Leaders have a strong knowledge of how activities support children's progress. They select resources with clear purpose to help children's learning as well as matching these to their interests. n Leaders accurately evaluate the provision that they provide. They regularly work with staff to establish what is working well and what they can improve. Leaders develop plans to enhance learning experiences for children. Staff share ideas with one another to improve their interactions with children. Children benefit from consistent care throughout the provision. n Staff plan specific activities to help enhance children's learning. For example, they teach children mathematical vocabulary by creating collage pictures of cars

p.2

need to do better?

using pre-cut shapes. Staff encourage children to name and compare the properties of different shapes. Children's misconceptions are quickly addressed, which helps them to make progress in early mathematical concepts. n Staff engage children in stories well. Children regularly enjoy looking through books throughout the day. Staff sit alongside children to share the books and read to them. They talk about the pictures and explain what unfamiliar words mean. However, during established routine times, staff do not always make the most of opportunities to initiate conversations with children to help them practice communicating. n Staff know individual children's needs in detail, particularly children with special

p.2

need to do better?

6 January 2023 educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders make every effort to secure the specialised support that children require. Staff provide children with a variety of learning experiences that help them catch up. However, occasionally, they do not always provide children with the targeted support they need to make even more progress. n Staff have good expectations of children's behaviour. They ask children to help tidy up, and the children respond positively and know where toys go. Staff guide them if they are not sure and manage minor disputes between children, encouraging them to work together. Children enjoy the responsibilities staff give them and take their jobs for the day seriously. This gives them the opportunity to learn to cooperate successfully with others. n Staff build strong attachments with children. They know children well and take the time to listen and understand their needs. Children feel cared for and settle

p.2

need to do better?

quickly if they become upset during the day. n Leaders and staff have developed good partnerships with parents. They share what children learn during the day and make suggestions that may help them learn at home. Parents speak highly of staff and the care they provide for their children. They notice children's improved manners when they use 'please' and 'thank you' at appropriate times.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders have established a vigilant culture amongst staff to ensure that children are safe. Staff are knowledgeable about the potential signs of abuse and are confident who to report to if they have a concern. Staff receive training and support from leaders to be alert to the needs of all children in their care. Staff monitor the environment, remove potential risks and make adaptations to equipment to ensure that it is suitable for children to play with. Leaders follow safer recruitment procedures and provide ongoing support for new members of staff.

p.3

should:

n extend children's conversational vocabulary during routines of the day to help them practise using new words they have learned n provide targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to ensure that they close gaps in their learning even faster.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY489532 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10264832 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 105 Name of registered person Alderbury Preschool CIO

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01722 711226 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Alderbury Preschool registered in 2015. It operates from a unit in the grounds of Alderbury and West Grimstead School near Salisbury, in Wiltshire. The setting opens from 7.45am to 5.30pm each weekday, during school term times. The setting also offers before- and after-school care for older children. There are 12 members of staff employed to work with children, 11 of whom hold a recognised childcare qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This is 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 and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. 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 setting.

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

6 January 2023 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