Owlets Preschool

Inspection of Owlets Preschool Methodist Chapel, High Street, Langford, Bedfordshire SG18 9RU

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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 happy and they thrive in this welcoming pre-school. They settle down quickly on arrival and adapt to their environment. The children say goodbye to their parents at the main entrance and confidently start to explore the variety of activities on offer. Children have caring and affectionate relationships with staff. They feel safe and secure, and have lovely interactions with each other. For example, children encourage others to join in their games, and give hugs during playtimes.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy playing outside. They have access to a wide range of activities that support their physical development. Children play in the playhouse, on the bicycles, and build with large construction blocks. Staff plan interesting and engaging activities for the children. For instance, when the children learn about dental hygiene, they are provided with sets of large teeth to clean, toothbrushes, appointment cards, and other dental tools to check for cavities. Staff introduce a variety of new words to support children's growing vocabulary, such as 'smooth', 'sticky' and 'cold'.

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The provision is good

Children behave well. Staff are consistent and gently remind the children about behavioural expectations. Staff use regular praise for the children's efforts and achievements. This helps children to build good levels of self-esteem.

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need to do better?

n Staff work very hard. They have made the large room feel more homely by creating small spaces for children to explore. They focus on what children can do and identify the areas that they need to develop further. Staff follow children's interests, which they find works best to engage the children. Staff are motivated and interact well with children. They listen attentively to children, which helps them to feel valued. n The manager is very enthusiastic and leads her staff team well. She maintains an overview of training and encourages her staff to apply for a range of courses. Staff receive regular supervisions, which allow the manager to give feedback on the quality of their work. Staff regularly have team meetings where they can reflect on what is working well and identify areas to improve. n Staff have a clear vision for encouraging children's independence and healthy lifestyle. They provide children with plentiful opportunities to practise these

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need to do better?

skills. For example, older children wash their hands, pour their drinks and serve themselves. Additionally, staff provide children with various experiences to develop their knowledge of healthy eating at mealtimes. Children also benefit from real-life experiences of nature. For example, they grow vegetables in the planting area and observe how they grow.

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need to do better?

24 February 2023 n The reflective management team understands the importance of continual professional development. Views of parents and children are gathered to help to inform areas that can be adapted and changed. Areas for improvement are identified and training sought. For example, staff view webinars and access online training to continually improve their knowledge. n Staff promote and reflect diversity through well-organised activities and events that involve children and their families. They find out key words and phrases to support communication with parents and children who speak English as an additional language. n The key-person system is effective, and staff get to know each child well to ensure that their needs are met. Children's health and well-being are fostered well. Staff match routines to those at home and carry out appropriate procedures if children are unwell. Parents are encouraged to provide a variety of

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need to do better?

nutritious foods for children who bring a packed lunch. n Children join in with parts of the daily routines with confidence. However, some group times become a little chaotic, with no engagement from the children. For example, during story and song time, children become distracted by the toys around them. As a result, they spend their time climbing and banging toys. This means that during this time, children do not benefit from meaningful learning opportunities. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents express how settled their children are. They feel that the communication is clear and the team provides a personal touch to the care that they provide to children. Staff regularly share information with parents about their children's development and the experiences that they have had during the day.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities to protect children in their care from harm. Managers and staff undertake regular safeguarding training to help them to recognise the signs and symptoms of when a child may be at risk. Staff know the reporting procedures to follow if they become concerned about the welfare of a child, or the conduct of a colleague. Staff take time to get to know children and their families very well, which helps them to identify any concerns quickly and support families to access early help. The premises are secure and cannot be accessed by unauthorised visitors.

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should:

n review the organisation of group times to ensure that all children remain engaged and supported.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY244757 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10276344 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person The Langford Owlets Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07935784567 Date of previous inspection 12 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Owlets Preschool registered in 2001. The setting employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term times. Sessions are from 8.15am until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Thursday, the session is from 8.15am until midday. The pre-school is in receipt of funding to provide early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 her evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector evaluated children's learning during planned activities and when they played. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk together to discuss the manager's intentions for children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to the manager and staff, and looked at a sample of documentation, including training records and evidence of the suitability of those working at the pre-school.

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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

24 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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