Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

Inspection of Clavering & Arkesden Preschool Clavering And Arkesden Preschool, Stortford Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4PE

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children benefit from their time at this nurturing pre-school. Staff create a warm and homely atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. The environment, both indoors and outdoors offers engaging activities for children, who are inquisitive explore independently. They have the time and space they need to discover, try out and revisit their ideas. For example, children work together and take turns when completing floor puzzles. They listen to each other about where they think the puzzle pieces may fit. This demonstrates children's perseverance and determination.

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The provision is good

Children are excited and motivated to learn. They enjoy getting ready for outdoor play and demonstrate their independence as they put on their coats and wellington boots. They make the most of being outside as they explore nature during forest school sessions. They search for sticks, stones and feathers to build bird's nests. Staff weave mathematical concepts into their discussions as they plan the nests' size and shape.

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The provision is good

Children behave very well. They develop positive relationships with staff who they seek out for reassurance and comfort. Staff plan activities that teach children to understand and identify their emotions. Children confidently talk about what makes them feel happy, sad and nervous. They say they 'smile when they are happy'.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is broad and balanced. Children make good progress in all areas of learning. The well-designed environment encourages children to become independent learners, who are curious and imaginative. The effective key-person system ensures that staff know children well and can identify their next steps of development accurately. n The newly appointed manager is ambitious and inspiring. She is motivated to implement positive change and identifies areas for future development. She places high value on the well-established team, and uses their knowledge and skills effectively. The manager has developed an effective working relationship with the committee, who support her well in her new role. n Staff are highly motivated to provide all children with the best opportunities to flourish. They are keen to continue to learn and update their knowledge. For example, staff have recently expressed a desire to progress their understanding

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need to do better?

of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children with SEND are well supported. n Daily routines promote a child-led approach to teaching and learning. However, routine times of the day sometimes interrupt children's play and engagement.

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need to do better?

7 February 2023 Staff do not always consider the needs of children who are not yet ready for longer periods of concentration. For example, children wait for extended periods of time before they are called to come for snack. n Children are developing a love of literacy. They sing songs, join in nursery rhymes and enjoy cuddles as they listen to stories. Children have fun exploring the texture of dough. They roll and manipulate the dough, which helps to strengthen the small muscles in their hands in readiness for their early writing. n Children are becoming confident communicators. As they build vehicles with construction blocks, they express their excitement with suggestions to one another. They are highly engaged in their role play and keen to show visiting adults what they make. They say, 'it's a flying car with rocket boosters!'. n Children develop positive attitudes to healthy lifestyles throughout routine times

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need to do better?

of day. For example, they independently wash their hands before mealtimes. They enjoy time in the garden for fresh air. Children acquire many skills that help to prepare them when they move to school. However, staff do not yet make full use of the close links with the host school. As a result, children's transitions to school are not always fully effective. n Parents say that their children are very happy and settled at the pre-school. They appreciate the effective methods of communication, which keep them well informed of their children's time at the pre-school. Staff encourage parents to extend their children's learning by giving them ideas about the types of activities they can do at home with their children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff access a broad range of training to help them safeguard children. They know about signs and symptoms of abuse and are clear about the procedures to follow if there is a concern about a child or a family. Staff understand wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation and child sexual exploitation. Furthermore, they understand the importance of whistle-blowing and who to report a concern to in the local authority. Processes for recruitment of new staff are effective. These, and the regular checks of ongoing suitability, help to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children.

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should:

n refine the organisation of routines to promote children's engagement and learning opportunities during all times of the day n expand on the links with feeder schools to ensure all children are well prepared to transition to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY489569 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10264653 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

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reference number

Telephone number 01799 550380 Date of previous inspection 21 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Clavering & Arkesden Preschool registered in 2015. The pre-school committee employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am until 3.15pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first routine inspection the setting has received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager, and has taken this into account in her evaluation of the setting. n The inspector took account of parents' views from their verbal feedback. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff, including first-aid certificates and Disclosure and Barring Service checks. n The manager took the inspector on a learning walk and talked about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector spoke to the staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children.

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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

7 February 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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