Thorner Pre-School & Toddler Group

Inspection of Thorner Pre-School & Toddler Group Thorner C of E Primary School, Kirkhills, Thorner, LEEDS LS14 3JD

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is good

Staff are welcoming, friendly and professional. Children are happy and show that they have formed good bonds with staff. Before starting, children attend several settling-in sessions with their parents. This ensures that they settle quickly and supports them to feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan a range of activities that are based on children's interests and current events. This includes activities that are specific to the weather. For example, children have a range of resources, such as streamers, to begin to understand the effect of strong winds. Staff and children become deeply immersed in the environment. They work together to build a model out of small pipes. They look at an instruction manual together and search for the pieces. They test a variety of ideas, such as whether they are able to fit a marble through the pipe. They discuss what might happen if they poured water through the pipes. This helps to effectively develop children's thinking and problem-solving skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children behave well and have respect for each other and the resources. They tidy away when they have finished with something. They work together to carry heavy boxes inside to put them away. Children make good progress and are ready for their next stage of learning, such as attending school.

p.2

need to do better?

n Stories are carefully weaved throughout activities. Staff enthusiastically read stories to engage children. As they read, they leave blanks in the story to allow children to remember what happens next. Children excitedly recall the story. This supports children's early literacy skills and helps them to develop a love of reading at a young age. n There is ample opportunity for children to develop their physical skills. The garden has been carefully designed to allow children to negotiate the space. Children are able to take risks, and challenge themselves on the climbing wall. There are spaces for children to move around more freely within the school playground. Their familiarity with this area also supports a smooth transition to school. n The manager uses additional funding effectively to support children further. For example, they have purchased a range of resources to support children's social skills and develop areas such as the home corner. This ensures that all children

p.2

need to do better?

make good progress and helps to minimise gaps in learning. n Staff complete 'play plans', which they use to track children's development and plan activities. These plans are shared with parents, along with ideas of what parents can do at home to extend children's learning further. Staff gather information from parents when children first start attending the setting, such as

p.2

need to do better?

31 January 2023 children's likes and dislikes. This helps children to settle quickly. However, staff do not consistently gather enough detailed information about what children already know and can do when they start to enable them to build on children's prior knowledge and learning from the start. n Parents are happy with the care and education that their children receive. Information is shared with parents through a private social media account and verbally at the end of each session. Parents feel that they can talk openly with staff and have good relationships with them. Parents are invited to regular coffee mornings in the setting, ensuring that parent partnerships are strong. n Staff ensure that children's voices are heard. There is a children's committee, which meets every half term. This committee informs the following term's planning and activities. Children complete questionnaires alongside their parents,

p.2

need to do better?

which ensures that children feel valued and listened to. They comment on what they enjoy, and provide staff with ideas of how they can change the provision. For example, children enjoy receiving tasks to complete at home. n The manager is very passionate about her role and has clear oversight of the setting. She is aware of pressures on staff and is highly self-reflective. Staff have some access to training and opportunities for professional development. However, these are not sufficiently focused to develop staff's teaching to the highest level. n Children's communication and language skills are well supported. Staff communicate with children at their eye level, where appropriate, to engage in meaningful conversation. Children are taken on a hunt around the garden to find 'treasures', and they spend time discussing what they have found.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff complete regular risk assessments, which ensure that children are kept safe while inside and outside. Staff have a good understanding of signs and symptoms that may suggest that a child is at risk of harm or abuse. The manager and deputy manager are aware of the referral process and what they would do if concerns were raised. The staff and manager attend regular training to ensure that their knowledge remains up to date. The manager ensures that this training has been understood by completing quizzes with the staff. Staff understand what they would do if they had a concern regarding one of their colleagues.

p.3

should:

n gather more-detailed information regarding children's development when children start

p.3

should:

31 January 2023 n strengthen training and professional development opportunities for staff, focusing more closely on the quality of their teaching.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY372694 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10264678 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 23

p.5

Name of registered person

Thorner Preschool & Toddler Group Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01132 892 541 Date of previous inspection 22 June 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Thorner Pre-School & Toddler Group registered in 1999 and is situated in the grounds of Thorner Church of England Primary School. The setting employs four members of childcare staff, and all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the 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 manager about the leadership and management of the setting. 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, and carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager.

p.6

Inspection activities

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 nursery.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

31 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7