Pre School and After School Club at Whalton School Limited

Inspection of Pre School and After School Club at Whalton School Limited Whalton C of E Primary School, Whalton, Morpeth NE61 3XH

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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 thoroughly enjoy their time in the pre-school. They come in happily and get ready for their visits to the woods with enthusiasm. The manager and staff have high expectations. They are keen that children learn about their place in the community. Staff help children to understand how they can care for the environment. Three-year-old children explain to other children how wasting food is not good for the environment. Children learn about global issues, such as animals that are becoming extinct. They learn to keep themselves safe. For example, as they visit the local woods, children learn to walk safely together. They stop at the fence and wait until staff tell them it is safe to continue. Children learn to climb fences safely. They know that they need to take care and ensure their feet are securely on the fence before they climb down.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and follow the rules and routines well. For example, when children climb the fence into the woods, they know that they must sit on the wooden benches and wait until all the children are there. They tidy up with enthusiasm at the end of the session, as soon as the manager starts to count to 10.

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need to do better?

n Children learn how they can keep themselves healthy. For example, they enjoy a range of healthy snacks. Staff give clear messages to children and parents about oral health. For example, they send a cuddly toy home with resources to support children's good oral health, such as a toothbrush, open cup and a book about the dentist. In the pre-school children, learn to brush their teeth and use timers. n The manager has a good understanding of what she wants children to learn. The curriculum is planned effectively to help children to develop the skills that they need over time. For example, children enjoy a range of activities, such as climbing and painting, to develop their shoulder, elbow and wrist muscles in preparation for early writing. n The manager encourages children to develop their imaginations. For instance, she tells children stories and encourages them to develop this in their play. Children are very keen to make their own soups in the woods following a story

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need to do better?

about 'stone soup'. However, sometimes, staff direct children too much. For instance, they suggest they build a 'fire' and tell children to look for sticks to build this. This reduces the opportunities for children to express their thoughts and ideas. Some children find it more difficult to engage in activities because of this. n Staff place a high priority on developing children's communication. Good questioning helps children to think about things for themselves. Staff focus on introducing new vocabulary to children. For example, they discuss terms such as

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need to do better?

3 March 2023 'liquid' and what it means. Staff refer to this later in the session to develop children's understanding further. n The manager and staff generally work well with other professionals who may be involved in children's care. For example, they work closely with the local primary school to prepare children for the move to school. They generally gather detailed information from other nurseries children attend. However, there are a small number of occasions when staff do not gather sufficiently detailed information from other settings that children may have attended before they start at the pre school, to support children's care and learning to the highest possible level. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively. For example, they work with professionals and implement any suggestions into their practice. Staff work tirelessly to find resources and sources

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need to do better?

of training or advice to help them meet children's needs. They provide additional support, where necessary, to ensure that they meet children's needs effectively. n Staff develop a good relationship with parents. Parents generally comment that they know where their children are in their learning. They know what they have been doing. Parents like the electronic application as it gives them ideas for how they can extend children's learning at home. The manager also shares a newsletter with parents, so that parents know what their children are going to be learning next. n The manager places a high priority on staff's professional development. She ensures that staff attend a range of training to meet the needs of the children. For example, staff have recently completed training on sign language to support children with this.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have a good understanding of how they keep children safe. For example, they make sure that the doors into the setting are locked. Staff are currently not using their immediate outside area because they feel the decking is unsafe. The manager ensures that all staff are well trained in all aspects of child protection. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may suggest a child is subjected to abuse. They know the procedures to follow if they had any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff talk confidently about what they would do in the event of an allegation against a member of staff.

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should:

n provide even more opportunities for children to try things out for themselves and express their own thoughts and ideas n improve communication with all other settings that children attend to ensure

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should:

3 March 2023 that children make the best possible progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY224665 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10233615 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 24 Number of children on roll 17

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Name of registered person

Pre-School and After School at Whalton School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01670708918 Date of previous inspection 6 March 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Pre School and After School Club at Whalton School Limited registered in 1999 and is located in Northumberland. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, including one member of staff who is a qualified teacher. The pre-school opens during term time from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday and from 9am to 12 midday on Friday. The breakfast club opens from 7.30am to 9am, Monday to Friday. The after-school club opens from 3pm to 5.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 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 staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The inspector observed children playing and learning. n Parents spoke to the inspector to express their views on the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The manager showed the inspector around the pre-school and explained how they organise the curriculum. n The inspector spoke to the manager about how she manages the pre-school and keeps children safe. n The manager showed the inspector a range of documentation, including those relating to staff's 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

3 March 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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