Charlton with Cropthorne Pre-School

Inspection of Charlton with Cropthorne Pre-School The Old School Room, Ryden Lane, Charlton, Pershore, Worcs WR10 3LQ

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at this welcoming pre-school. They benefit from a well- planned curriculum which helps them to immerse themselves in their play. Staff plan enjoyable activities that capture children's curiosity. In turn, children are engaged, attentive and listen to the staff. The pre-school promotes a love of reading. Children spontaneously sit with a book and turn the pages to follow along when a member of staff is reading. Children happily join in with rhymes and songs and repeat familiar phrases.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy a wide range of resources, both indoors and outdoors, that motivate them to explore. Parents value the fact that their children have access to a well- resourced outdoor environment which engages children in physical and environmental activities. There are established links with the local primary school that children are due to attend. The manager places a high emphasis on promoting school readiness. Children take part in taster sessions and planned activities at their local school. For example, older children visit their local primary school to take part in a 'Superheroes' focus day. They are also involved in other events with the school, such as using the forest school and going to theatre performances. This helps children to become familiar with the new environment in readiness for the next stage in their education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Each half term, staff set out specific texts and songs to support the chosen topic. Children borrow books about the topic to read with their family, which helps to support their continued learning. Staff plan activities to develop children's knowledge of a variety of festivals and celebrations, building their knowledge of a range of cultures. n Staff create an inclusive environment that accommodates all children. Children's additional needs are identified early and support is given to parents to seek external support. Additional funding is used well to meet children's specific needs. For example, funding is used for external speech and language support and ballet sessions to support physical development. n Regular assessment of the children's development ensures staff know children's next steps. However, staff do not always incorporate children's next steps into child-initiated play to ensure children consistently make the best progress they

p.2

need to do better?

are capable of. n Outside play is encouraged. There are a range of activities available outside, such as a small climbing frame, a reading area and areas to explore sand and water. Children enjoy digging in the garden area and investigating the parts of the plant they discovered. They are very knowledgeable about the different plant parts, as well as the types of flowers they can see in the garden.

p.2

need to do better?

7 March 2023 n Routines, such as handwashing, are well embedded and children understand clearly how to keep themselves healthy. Staff plan activities to encourage good oral hygiene and this is supported by parents at home. Staff talk to children about the importance of healthy eating as part of a healthy lifestyle. For example, they encourage children to make healthy choices at mealtimes. n Children behave well. Clear expectations ensure children know how they should behave. Children who struggle controlling their feelings are supported to make the right choices by using the 'colour monster' as a visual aid to explain how they are feeling. n Children show high levels of focus when accessing activities. They are resilient when facing challenges such as using scissors with increasing control to cut tape into pieces to make musical shakers or opening their snacks at lunchtime. This enables children to develop their independence and not be highly reliant on staff

p.2

need to do better?

to complete tasks for them. n Staff treat each child as a unique individual. Their 'All About Me' journal contains the journey each child takes from when they start pre-school to when they leave. This also supports consistency between pre-school and home, as it helps children to share important moments with adults at home as well as home events with the pre-school staff. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school and it is clear there are strong relationships between home and pre-school. Parents say, 'This pre-school is a special find,' and, 'This pre-school is like the child's family and second home.' They say they are 'proud to be part of the pre-school family'. Parents enjoy getting daily electronic communication about their child's learning as well as other updates from staff when they collect their children. n Staff attend training to ensure they are accessing up-to-date professional development. However, the manager does not consistently monitor staff practice

p.3

need to do better?

to identify areas where practice can improve. n Children hear a wide variety of vocabulary, which helps them to extend their knowledge through play. However, staff often use closed questions, especially during group times, which do not require children to think about or extend on their prior knowledge to answer. As a result, children's thinking skills are not consistently enhanced.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff check their knowledge by using short quizzes to revise their understanding of different safeguarding scenarios. The designated safeguarding lead is knowledgeable of the local context of the pre-school and is able to recognise signs to look out for in these safeguarding areas. Staff are all aware of how to deal with a safeguarding concern about a child, a member of staff, a parent or a member of the community.

p.3

should:

n support staff to strengthen their use of effective questioning skills to ensure that children are sufficiently challenged in their thinking during group activities n encourage staff to build on children's identified next steps in child-initiated play, as well as planned activities n undertake more regular monitoring of staff practice in order to identify areas for professional development to improve practice even further.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 205314 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10265127 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 27 Number of children on roll 27

p.5

Name of registered person

Charlton with Cropthorne Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07966 216980 Date of previous inspection 25 May 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Charlton with Cropthorne Pre-School registered in 2002 and is located in Pershore, Worcestershire. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens each weekday during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am to 3.15pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 8.30am to 1pm Friday.

p.5

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 manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the intentions for the children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection and the inspector took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to the manager of the setting to gain her views about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on the children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and the children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a creative activity with the pre-

p.6

Inspection activities

school manager. n The inspector and the manager discussed how the curriculum had been implemented and the impact this had on the children's learning. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector viewed the pre-school and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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

7 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.

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