Saxon Pre-school

Inspection of Saxon Pre-school 3 High Street, Earls Barton, Northampton NN6 0JG

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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 are welcomed by the kind nurturing staff. They are beginning to learn independence as they happily follow the morning routine. Children hang their coats and bags, and self-register before beginning their day. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently move around the pre-school, engaging well with staff and greeting their friends.

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The provision is good

Children show positive attitudes to learning and eagerly gather round to join in activities. For example, as children make play dough with staff, they listen well and follow instructions. Children are introduced to mathematical concepts. They count out the number of scoops and recognise quantities, saying when the cup is 'full'. Children wait patiently as they take turns, add ingredients, mix in water and discuss textures such as 'sticky' and 'smooth'.

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The provision is good

Children behave well, play cooperatively, and show an understanding of the pre- school rules, such as helping to tidy away. Staff are good role models and have high expectations of children's behaviour. They help children to understand why certain actions are not acceptable, as they gently explain in a clear and age- appropriate manner. Staff also use these opportunities to discuss emotions and help children to understand how their actions can make others feel. This supports children's emotional well-being.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the manager and staff provide a curriculum that is sequenced to cover 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, the intent of activities can sometimes be lost, due to large numbers of children accessing the same activity. This results in some children's developmental needs not being consistently supported. n Staff naturally hold meaningful conversations with children. They become involved in children's imaginary play and encourage them to think about new concepts and to use new vocabulary. For example, as children pretend to make pasta in the sand pit, staff encourage them to talk about the ingredients they will need to make dinner. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Staff recognise when a child may need additional support. They work

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need to do better?

well with parents and other professionals. n Staff develop strong partnerships with other settings children attend, as well as the school's children will move on to. This supports children with smooth transitions. With parental consent, staff share information with these settings to help promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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need to do better?

11 January 2023 n The pre-school has a good connection to the local community. Children and staff often take part in village activities. For example, they visit the local retirement home and fire station and take part in the annual village carnival. However, staff do not always plan a wide enough range of activities to help children learn about people, families and communities beyond their own. n Staff provide children with opportunities to develop their understanding of living a healthy lifestyle. Children wash their hands on arrival, before eating, and after using the toilet. They have daily opportunities to be energetic and explore the outdoors in the pre-school garden. Staff provide children with healthy snacks. Children are encouraged to peel their fruit and pour their own drinks. They brush their teeth, join in discussions and read books to widen their understanding of oral health. n Parents are very complimentary of the pre-school. They talk about the good

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need to do better?

communication they have with staff and enjoy using the online application to view photos of their children. Parents know their children's next steps of learning and appreciate the suggestions they receive from staff to continue learning at home. Parents welcome the additional support they receive particularly advice on how to support their children's toilet training. n Managers and staff work very well as a team. They take part in weekly meetings to discuss any concerns and share new ideas and activities. Each member of staff states that they feel valued and enjoy working at the pre-school. Managers mentor and support staff to identify gaps in their professional development and teaching skills. However, they do not consistently use this information to offer targeted training and support to extend children's learning further.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding and can identify the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know the procedure for reporting concerns about a child. Staff are confident in how to report an allegation made about themselves or another member of staff, should this be required. Robust recruitment procedures are in place to check the suitability of staff and committee members. All staff undergo annual checks to ensure they continue to be suitable to work with children. Staff complete regular risk assessments of the environment and children's activities to make sure risks are identified and managed.

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should:

n review the arrangements for group activities to ensure all children can take part, and their development needs are consistently supported n extend opportunities for children to understand and respect people, families and

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should:

11 January 2023 communities beyond their own n strengthen the arrangements to coach and mentor staff to continually enhance the outcomes for children even further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220201 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10263107 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Saxon Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01604 813789 Date of previous inspection 20 April 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Saxon Pre-school registered in 2000 and is situated in Earls Barton, Northampton. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Thursday during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 12.45pm on Monday and Wednesday, and from 8.45am until 11.45am and 2.15pm until 3.15pm on Tuesday and Thursday. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children spoke 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 special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

11 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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