The Grove Pre-School

Inspection of The Grove Pre-School The Birtley Centre, Harras Bank, Birtley, Chester Le Street, Gateshead DH3 2LN

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

Children clearly enjoy spending time at this warm, welcoming setting. They excitedly run in to greet staff, who provide them with cuddles and reassurance. Children use techniques, including pictures and name cards, to self-register. This helps to develop a sense of belonging. Staff provide a wide range of exciting and interesting activities. Children quickly become actively engaged and motivated in their self-chosen play. For instance, they concentrate as they investigate lemon, limes and oranges in water. They excitedly discuss textures and smells. Staff introduce a pestle and mortar and explain how to squeeze and squash the fruit. This helps to develop children's fine muscle skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is very good. Staff are excellent role models and have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children remind each other of the rules of the setting. For example, they explain how to carry scissors safely as they move across the pre-school. Children's mathematical knowledge is supported well. Staff use mathematical language as they make dough. Children respond well to this and talk about the cup being 'full' and 'empty'. Furthermore, children count as they race each other up and down the garden. Children are beginning to recognise numbers throughout the setting. Children practise their fine motor skills as they use spray bottles to paint and make marks with paint brushes. This helps to develop the skills needed for early writing.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children behave extremely well. Staff are highly skilled at supporting children to manage their emotions. They sit with children and talk in a calm manner. Staff remind children of their expectations when they forget. For example, when children forget to share, staff remind them and encourage them to use a timer. This helps children to understand what type of behaviour is expected. n Children follow good hygiene routines. For instance, they wash their hands before mealtimes and after messy play activities. Staff consistently encourage children to learn simple good hygiene practices, such as wiping their noses. This helps children to learn to manage their self-care skills. n Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff know their children very well, overall. They plan activities based on children's interests. However, occasionally, staff are not specific enough about what they want children to

p.2

need to do better?

learn from activities. Not all activities fully challenge children and build on what they already know, to extend their learning even further. n Children have positive attitudes towards learning and focus for long periods of time on self-chosen activities. For instance, children persist as they spray paint onto cotton wool, and discuss the patterns it makes. However, occasionally, this is disturbed by routines, such as group time and snack time. This interrupts

p.2

need to do better?

8 February 2023 children's engagement with learning. n The leadership of the nursery is effective. The new manager and staff team are passionate, eager and motivated. They create an environment that continually improves for staff and children. For instance, excellent systems are in place to allow staff to reflect on their setting. They are currently making changes to create a calm and warm atmosphere. Staff work exceptionally well as a team and are very supportive of each other. The manager carries out robust supervision sessions. Staff well-being is paramount. They attend regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. n Partnership with parents is a real strength of this setting. Parents are extremely complimentary of the pre-school. They explain that they are very involved in their children's learning, and they appreciate all that the staff do for them. Parents comment that staff are 'so supportive' and 'absolutely fantastic'.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff support children's speech and language extremely well. They help children to pronounce words correctly and use a good range of questioning techniques. Children develop a love of books. They independently select their favourite stories to share with staff and their friends. On the day of inspection, a carer came into the setting to share a story with the children. Children listened intently and asked questions. This helps to develop children's listening and speaking skills. n Staff support children who receive additional funding and those with special educational needs and or/disabilities well. They work closely with external agencies to ensure that children's individual needs are met. This helps children to make the best possible progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a secure knowledge of child protection and the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about children in their care. All staff attend regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff recognise the signs and symptoms that would alert them to a child being abused or mistreated. They fully understand the referral process. Staff are aware of the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against a member of the team. Staff carry out daily risk assessments of the premises before children arrive and assesses all activities. This helps to keep children safe.

p.3

should:

n support staff to implement the curriculum intent more sharply to build on what children already know and can do n consider how routines can be better organised without disrupting children's

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY361998 Local authority Gateshead Inspection number 10264587 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person The Grove Pre-School

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0191 410 2011 Date of previous inspection 20 June 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

The Grove Pre-School registered in 2007 and is located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school operates Monday to Wednesday, 8.30am until 3pm, and Thursday and Friday, 8.30am until 11.30am, term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for 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 deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector through verbal and written feedback.

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

8 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.

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