Brandon Preschool

Inspection of Brandon Preschool The Brandon Centre, Bury Road, Brandon, Suffolk IP27 0BQ

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed into the pre-school by staff, who are friendly and approachable. Children have freedom to choose from a well-resourced and accessible learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. There is a good balance of free-choice and adult-led activities. This helps to capture children's attention and interest. Children use their imaginations in the role-play areas. They pretend to read a recipe before selecting paper and a pencil to 'write' a shopping list. They exercise their fine motor skills, safely handling a knife as they cut up real vegetables. Children explore their senses as they touch and feel a tray of ice. They talk about the different animals that live in cold climates. Children count the dots as they play giant dominos, learning to listen and to take turns.

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The provision is good

Children develop good levels of self-esteem. They learn to understand their emotions and share how they feel. Children know and understand how to behave. Staff act as good role models, praising and supporting children to play cooperatively together and to respect each other. Children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive individual, tailored support. Their needs are well met. Staff actively engage and share information with other professionals, support parents and help to ensure children reach their full potential. Parents speak highly of the pre-school and the care and attention their children receive.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, with support from the local authority, the manager and her staff team have continued to make further improvements. The pre-school is well led, and staff work effectively as a team. Staff receive regular training and effective supervision in order to continuously improve. This is having a positive impact on the care and learning the children receive. n Children are well supervised. Staff are clear in their roles and deploy themselves effectively, often 'shadowing' those children who need additional support. Staff get down to the children's level, showing a genuine interest in what they are doing. n Staff chat easily with the children, asking open questions to encourage the children to use their language. Staff read books with animation. They introduce some new vocabulary and correctly repeat words that children mispronounce. Staff use simple sign language and pictorial images to support children who find

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need to do better?

it harder to communicate. n Children's progress is tracked effectively, and staff are swift to identify those who are at risk of falling behind. Children with SEND and children in receipt of additional funding benefit from additional attention in areas where they need support. Children who are learning to speak English as an additional language

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need to do better?

10 January 2023 are helped to learn and say more words. n Staff play alongside the children, modelling how to use resources and asking some questions to encourage thinking. However, learning for the most able children is not always adapted to build on what the children already know and can do. n Children know the pre-school routines. They listen to instructions and join in with tidy-up time. Some take themselves to the toilet and know how to wash their hands. Staff sensitively support children's intimate care routines. However, they are not yet working effectively enough, in partnership with parents, to help those children who are ready for toilet training to make the transition. n Children are encouraged to make healthy choices from the nutritious snacks provided by the pre-school. Staff are aware of what constitutes a healthy menu, but they have yet to work more closely with parents to ensure that packed

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need to do better?

lunches provided are always balanced and nutritious. This is to ensure that children receive the same consistent messages with regard to healthy eating throughout their time in pre-school. n Children are offered good opportunities to be part of, and find out about, their own community. Their own experiences are broadened, as they make regular trips to the local library, fostering a love of books. They find out about 'people who help us', with visits from the dental nurse and the community police.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Those who are designated to lead on safeguarding matters have a secure understanding of their role. Staff have a good understanding of their responsibility to keep children safe. All staff undertake regular training to ensure that their knowledge and understanding is up to date. Safeguarding matters are discussed during supervision meetings. Staff are confident in identifying potential signs and symptoms of abuse. They know when and how to report any concerns about children's welfare. Staff have a secure knowledge of what to do should a child have an accident.

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should:

n enhance the quality of teaching so that all staff understand how to sequence children's learning and provide challenge effectively, particularly for the more able children, so that they get to develop their own ideas and strategies for doing things n engage more closely with parents, to promote healthier eating practices in the setting and support those children who are ready for toilet training to make the transition.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251423 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10229307 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 30 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Brandon Pre-School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01842 810913 Date of previous inspection 3 February 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Brandon Pre-school registered in 1997. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff, nine of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am until 11.30am and 12.30pm until 3.30pm. A lunch club operates from 11.30am until 12.30pm. A breakfast club operates from 8am until 8.30am. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the pre-school manager met to discuss and understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed staff interaction with the children, both inside and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of staff first-aid qualifications and suitability. n The inspector spoke with the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with a sample of parents and took account of their views.

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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

10 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.

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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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