Walney Central Pre-School

Inspection of Walney Central Pre- School The Old Police House, Central Drive, Walney Island, BARROW-IN-FURNESS, Cumbria LA14 3HY

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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 greeted warmly by friendly and caring staff as they arrive for their sessions. They leave their parents happily and quickly settle to the good range of activities provided. They play well with each other and share resources. Children's behaviour is good, and they follow rules and routines well. Children demonstrate that they feel safe because they are exceptionally confident in social situations. For example, babies smile and wave when visitors enter the room, while older children talk to visitors about what they are making in the mud kitchen.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's learning and development and support individual needs well. For example, after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns they noted that children's emotional development was a weaker area. As a result, staff continue to offer additional support to develop these skills by providing small-group work and focused activities. Children develop good manners and behaviour. For instance, they say 'please' and 'thank you' without prompting from staff. Children benefit from lots of opportunities to make their own choices and develop their independence. For example they put away their own belongings as they arrive at the pre-school, and scrape their own plates at lunchtime.

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need to do better?

n Children's literacy skills are consistently promoted. Babies are encouraged to repeat some keywords and join in with the actions when staff sing 'Incy wincy spider.' Older children love having stories read to them. They confidently recall key phrases that they remember from the book 'Room on the Broom', which is a story about a witch. This helps to encourage children's love of books and stories. n Staff use many good explanations and demonstrations to help children master new skills. For example, they show children how to put on their own coats by wearing the hood first before putting their arms in the sleeves. They also teach children to hold knives correctly and then use a 'sawing' motion to cut up their meatballs at lunchtime. This supports children's growing independence. n Children are supported to progressively build on their physical skills. For example, babies build their confidence when practising crawling and walking.

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need to do better?

Children develop their muscle control as they thread pipe cleaners through the holes on a colander, or learn to hop, jump and climb when they build their own obstacle courses. This helps children to develop their physical strength. n Staff work closely with parents and external agencies to ensure they meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The on-site special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) liaises closely with the staff to ensure that children can take part in all aspects of the learning environment. As a result, children, especially those with SEND, make very good progress.

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need to do better?

6 February 2023 n Staff supervise children well. They seamlessly move around the play areas, ensuring the correct number of adults are available to help children learn and stay safe. However, some staff do not always take opportunities to remind children of how to keep themselves safe, for example when carrying scissors, or correct children when they sit on a chair in an unsafe manner. This does not support children's developing awareness of how to manage their own safety effectively. n Children follow some established hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet. However, staff do not always help young children to independently take care of their own hygiene, such as wiping their noses. This does not build strong foundations for children to learn to manage their own personal needs and develop self-care skills. n Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise and nutritious, freshly

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need to do better?

cooked meals. Leaders have systems in place to ensure children's allergies and dietary requirements are catered for. This helps children to build on their understanding of the importance of healthy lifestyles. n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents say 'the aunties' keep them well informed about their child's progress and offer valuable guidance to support continued learning at home. Parents comment that the children's progress reports are 'a joy to read.' Staff seek support, where necessary, for the whole family. For example, some parents have benefitted from attending training on how to support children's sleep routines.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. They have good knowledge of all aspects of safeguarding and can identify the signs of abuse. Staff are aware of the 'Prevent' duty guidance. Robust procedures are in place to help ensure any new staff members are suitable to work with children. Staff are deployed effectively to ensure that children are supervised and remain safe throughout the day. Risk assessments are carried out daily to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments are suitable for children. This helps to keep children safe.

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should:

n make the most of all opportunities to develop children's awareness of managing their own safety n develop a more consistent approach to teaching children about the importance of good hygiene practises and how to manage their own personal care needs to further enhance their self-care skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317622 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10276161 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Walney Central Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01229 470 051 Date of previous inspection 4 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Walney Central Pre-School registered in 1972 and is situated in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The pre-school employs 18 members of staff. Of these, two hold a childcare qualification at level 6, and 14 hold qualification at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 4.30pm. 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 pre-school 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 setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 communicated 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 SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability

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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

6 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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