Shipdham Pre-School

Inspection of Shipdham Pre-School Pound Green Lane, Shipdham, Thetford IP25 7LF

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled at the pre-school. They develop good relationships with all staff and look to them for support and reassurance. Children are confident to ask questions and ask for help when needed.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. They share with each other and wait patiently for their turn. For example, when washing their hands for snack, children line up and wait patiently for a space at the sink. They take turns in the mud kitchen. They independently pour the water and move to allow the next child to have their turn. Children demonstrate respect for each other by joining the line and waiting. Older children support younger peers to use the water bowl effectively.

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The provision is good

Children are encouraged to be independent throughout the day. They pour their own drinks, find their own belongings and put on their own coats and wellington boots. Children demonstrate that they have learned these skills and practise them regularly. They are helpful and follow simple instructions from staff. For example, when children are asked if they can clear away the plates after snack, they happily help the adult and show how proud they are of themselves. This promotes children's self-confidence and independence.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have designed a curriculum based around the needs of the children who attend the setting. There is a strong emphasis on communication and language skills, as well as independence and preparation for school. Staff ensure that routines and regular activities at the setting support the curriculum. Children take part in daily singing and rhymes. They listen to stories and develop a love of books. Children are encouraged to be independent throughout the day and older children are confident to meet their own personal needs. This includes, for example, toileting, eating and getting themselves dressed. n There is an effective key-person system in place. Children demonstrate strong attachments to staff and look to them for support and reassurance. Staff know the children well and they observe and plan effective next steps in learning for their key children. This means that children continue to develop and extend their

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need to do better?

current knowledge, making good progress in all areas of learning. All parents receive regular communication and feedback regarding their children's learning and development at the setting. However, home learning is not consistently supported. n Staff provide children with a language-rich environment. When children talk about driving too fast, staff reply and introduce the word 'extremely'. They encourage children to talk and introduce new vocabulary through conversations. This gives children the knowledge to extend their communication skills further.

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need to do better?

28 February 2023 n Outdoors, children explore the large garden area and use the climbing equipment to develop their large-muscle skills. They balance along beams and experiment by walking backwards, supported by an adult. Children learn to take appropriate risks and develop an understanding of staying safe. n Staff quickly recognise children's needs and can identify children who may need additional support. They work closely with parents to support children, gather evidence and make appropriate referrals when needed. Therefore, children receive appropriate support to help them achieve and develop to their full potential. n Staff encourage children's communication and language skills and understand the importance of early literacy. They provide children with regular singing and rhyme sessions during group times. Staff encourage children to join in with stories. They engage children by talking about the pictures and asking questions

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need to do better?

such as, 'What do you think will happen next?' Children respond with ideas and develop an understanding and love of books. n Leaders are passionate about the setting and the care they provide for children. They carry out regular supervision meetings with staff to reflect on their practice. Staff are given time to discuss any concerns they have. Managers focus on enhancing the setting. For example, staff are currently attending forest school training to make better use of the outdoor area. However, leaders do not consistently identify areas of weakness. This means that staff do not always attend specific training to further develop their knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate that they have a good understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They are confident in identifying signs that may mean children are at risk of harm. Staff confidently discuss the procedures they follow if they have concerns about a child. The manager ensures that policies are kept up to date and that contact information for the local authority is clear and easy to find. All staff have a good knowledge of wider safeguarding issues such as county lines and the 'Prevent' duty. Staff know what procedures to follow if they have concerns about another member of staff.

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should:

n further develop home learning opportunities to enable parents to fully support their children's learning at home n strengthen supervision to identify areas of weakness and tailor training to raise the quality of teaching to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2618962 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10276062 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Shipdham Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 01362822062 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Shipdham Pre-School registered in 2021. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. All staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term-time. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm, with wrap around care being provided from 7am to 5pm. 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 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 provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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 the staff and children. n The inspector looked at a sample of the pre-school's documents. This included evidence about staff suitability and training.

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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

28 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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