Ashurst Pre-School

Inspection of Ashurst Pre-School Foxhills Lane, Colbury, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 7ED

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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 full of joy and excitement as they arrive at the pre-school. They confidently find their pegs and hang up their bags and coats. Children feel safe and secure. They respond warmly to devoted staff, who engage them in meaningful conversation while supporting them with self-registration.

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The provision is good

Older children engage in craft and colouring activities with pure delight. They cut out shapes and patterns with care and precision. Children enthusiastically explain their rainbow picture designs and discuss what they know and have learned about boomerangs. Children are notably proud of their achievements and have highly positive attitudes to learning.

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The provision is good

Activities are set up purposefully for children to extend their learning and inspire their curiosity. For example, younger children become fully absorbed when they explore coloured rice in a tray. They experiment with a range of different pouring and scooping equipment. Staff support this learning as they demonstrate how to use the variety of tools available. Furthermore, they add language such as 'mix' and 'stir' as young children begin to build and develop their vocabulary. Children are actively participating in motivating and meaningful learning experiences.

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need to do better?

n The manager is ambitious and reflective. She creates an inspiring curriculum that staff know and implement in their planning and teaching. The manager has high expectations for all children in her care, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. She works closely with her team, parents and other professionals to ensure children are fully supported. For example, she enlists the support of a parent speech and language therapist to enhance children's learning. Children are supported in achieving best possible outcomes. n Children are developing important early literacy skills. They engage in activities where they recognise the letters in their name and practise writing them. Children enjoy looking at books independently and staff read to them in small groups throughout the day. However, during a story before lunch, children are told to go and wash their hands despite being engrossed in the book. As a

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need to do better?

result, children miss the end of the story and their love for reading is not always fully supported. n Children are reminded to wash their hands before and after they eat. They can clearly explain why they need to carry out this hygiene routines 'to get rid of all the germs'. During snack time, children also discuss the importance of brushing their teeth, and staff deliver consistent messages about eating a balanced diet. Children are building a good understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. n Children access a range of challenging activities in the bright and inviting outside

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need to do better?

27 January 2023 areas. Staff support children effectively in their play. For instance, they encourage children to mix paints together in large bowls with a range of tools. This helps to encourage them to use small-muscle movements in their hands. Alongside this, children run, jump and balance as they climb on planks and large tyres. Children are exploring with pleasure as they build their physical skills. n At the beginning of the day, older children sit down with staff to take the register and then discuss the pre-school rules together. Children knowledgeably explain the different rules as they look and pictures of themselves demonstrating these. However, at times, children are not reminded of these rules by staff when they run inside for example. Through this, children are sometimes unclear on the behavioural expectations at the pre-school and therefore do not follow these rules. n Parents share that they are extremely pleased with the extensive communication

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need to do better?

they receive from their child's key person. They explain that they can easily access information about their child's progress and future learning through the online platform provided. Parents know what their children are working towards and are given clear information on how to extend their learning further at home. Partnerships with parents are strong.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager implements a robust safeguarding policy which staff know and understand clearly. She understands the importance of ensuring staff receive regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge relevant and up to date. Staff confidently know the local authority procedures they must follow should they ever be concerned about an adult working with children. Staff are also clear on the actions they must take should they ever be concerned that a child in their care may have become victim to abuse. The manager also ensures that staff are knowledgeable about additional safeguarding issues such as gender-based violence.

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should:

n promote the importance of story time, so that children's love of reading is supported to the highest level n build on how the pre-school rules are implemented by staff, to ensure they can be consistently understood by children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY273607 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10233637 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 60 Number of children on roll 97 Name of registered person Ashurst Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 023 8029 2791 Date of previous inspection 27 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ashurst Pre-School opened in 1970 and registered with Ofsted in 2001. It operates from two independent units in the grounds of Foxhills Schools in Colbury. Hampshire. The pre-school opens each weekday from 8am to 6pm during term time only. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two, three and four years. There are 16 staff working with the children, 13 of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3 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, the manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection 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

27 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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