Allendale Pre-School

Inspection of Allendale Pre-School Happy Days, Shilburn Road, Hexham, Northumberland NE47 9PT

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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 settled at the pre-school. They have formed strong bonds with staff. The learning environment enables children to access a variety of resources, which supports the intent of a well-planned and sequenced curriculum. Children learn to respect their toys. For example, they use china cups and plates in the home corner.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is designed to follow the interests of the children. Books and stories are used as a hook for learning, supporting language development and a love of stories. Children benefit from many early literacy opportunities. They sing songs and rhymes and have access to books, inside and outside.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy the large, exciting garden. They develop their physical skills by climbing, running and rolling. They use scooters to weave their way around, developing their balance and spatial awareness. They enthusiastically help staff to complete daily risk assessments to make sure the garden is safe.

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The provision is good

A significant strength of the setting is how much progress children make from what they know and can do when they first start, especially children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff identify gaps in knowledge and support children's learning. They identify successful strategies to develop communication and language.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager and staff at the setting have worked very hard to ensure that all children learning outdoors have opportunities to practise their reading and writing skills. They have implemented a reading den and mark- making area to support these skills. n In some instances, the quality of children's learning is outstanding. Stories are used effectively to help children develop their skills across different areas of learning. For example, through the story 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' children made and tasted porridge. Masks supported children to develop their imaginative skills by pretending to be bears. Learning is enjoyable, and therefore children are engaged and make good progress. A floor book provides children with the opportunity to revisit their learning. n The manager has a very clear view of the setting, including its strengths and areas to develop. A very well-planned and sequenced curriculum outlining what

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need to do better?

children should know and do by the time they leave the pre-school is in place, and all staff are confident to talk about children's next steps. n Staff training is a strength. The manager successfully supports the ongoing professional development of staff and sources external and internal training to

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need to do better?

16 March 2023 maintain high standards. Communication and language is a priority. Staff have developed communication friendly spaces to support children's conversations. n The learning environment supports children to be independent learners as they carry resources from one area to another. Children pour equal amounts of pasta on to plates, which supports their cooperation skills and mathematical development. n Children learn about their local community through visits to local shops. They buy food and write invitations to shop assistants to visit the pre-school. Staff acknowledge that they live and work in a thriving community and celebrate taking an active role in it. n Children with SEND are extremely well supported. Staff are quick to spot the signs of children not meeting relevant milestones. Children with SEND make exceptional progress from their starting points, as staff know how best to support them, and they use the support of external agencies successfully.

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need to do better?

n Parents speak very highly of the setting. Some can see a 'huge difference' in confidence and speech and are extremely complimentary about all staff. The online system informs parents of their child's progress, and next steps are regularly shared. Parents feel supported by staff, who are 'knowledgeable, caring and welcoming'. Parents value the care taken to support children's move on to school. n Staff engage children for a focused circle time. Children learn about feelings and why kind hands are important. However, some children become disengaged and start to wander away to seek their own activities before snack and outdoor time. This disrupts learning, and some children wait too long before an adult guides them to their next activity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are fully committed to keeping children safe. They implement risk assessments to identify and eliminate potential hazards to children. The manager and staff have a very secure understanding of safeguarding children and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child. Staff also have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues and who to contact if they have concerns about another adult. The manager ensures that staff receive regular updates about safeguarding during termly meetings. Robust recruitment practices ensure that suitable people are employed.

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should:

n enhance strategies for transition times in order to limit waiting times for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498781 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10276326 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Allendale Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 01434683042 Date of previous inspection 11 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Allendale Pre-School registered in 2016. The provider employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds early years professional status, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds level 2. The pre- school opens Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am to 3.15pm. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of the indoor and outdoor environment 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views, including views sent via email. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in 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

16 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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