Delaware Pre School

Inspection of Delaware Pre School Delaware Community Learning Centre, Albaston, GUNNISLAKE, Cornwall PL18 9EZ

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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 nursery and feel secure in staff's care. Parents comment that their children ask eagerly if they are going to nursery each morning. Children arrive confidently and some forget to say goodbye to their parents at the door due to their excitement at seeing their friends and staff. On the occasion when babies and toddlers arrive feeling upset, staff are sensitive and give them reassuring cuddles to help them settle quickly. Children play well alongside and with each other and are keen to offer their help. For example, when staff announce it is time to pack away the toys, older children return the toys to a box and then help each other to lift and carry it back to the cupboard.

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The provision is good

Babies and toddlers are fascinated by the sounds that bells make and enjoy shaking and banging them to create different noises. They learn to balance and climb, and they crawl around the room to explore the resources. Older children are interested in nature and staff support them to develop their understanding of the natural world. The children know to approach birds and insects quietly and slowly in the garden, and are keen to look at them more closely using magnifying glasses. Staff provide strong support for the older children's literacy development. Children learn to recognise their written name and to identify the letters and sounds in their friends' names.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of what they want children to learn and achieve. Staff provide children with attractive and stimulating learning environments. Children are eager to try new things and take part in activities. At times, whole-group activities in the pre-school room are not organised as effectively as they could be to support and engage all children and extend their learning further. n The manager coaches and supports staff to implement a broad curriculum and help all children to make good progress. However, staff working with the babies and toddlers do not target each child's learning needs as effectively as the staff working with the older children. n Staff narrate what children are doing, ask questions and model language effectively. Babies communicate confidently, such as saying 'quack' when they show staff the toy duck they have found. Older children express themselves

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need to do better?

clearly and use a broad vocabulary, such as when talking about their muscles and asking staff to listen to their 'riddle'. n Staff support children's personal development well. They remind children patiently to wait until their friends have finished talking before they speak and help them learn to take turns with toys. Older children manage their self-care needs independently, such as putting on and taking off their shoes and coats.

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 n The special educational needs coordinator works closely with parents, other agencies and staff to reduce any gaps in children's development. Staff identify promptly when children may benefit from additional support and implement strategies to target their individual needs. n Children form close relationships with the friendly and caring staff team. Toddlers initiate games of peekaboo with staff and laugh happily as they play. Older children invite staff to join in with their games and express their ideas playfully. For example, children ask staff to pretend to wind them up and then they shuffle away like a robotic, mechanical toy. n Staff provide good support for children's mathematical development. They model mathematical language when babies and toddlers fill and empty containers at the water tray. Staff talk about sizes, as they encourage older children to compare their hands with others and help them to count and recognise

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need to do better?

numbers. n Children behave well. They listen to staff and follow their instructions. Staff explain the reasons for the rules to help children to recognise potential risks around them. For example, staff talk to children about how to use the swing safely without getting rope burns and about wearing the correct-size boots so they do not trip. n Partnerships with parents are successful. Staff share detailed information with parents about their children's care and learning, so they can continue to build on what children know and can do at home. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the manager and staff have worked closely with parents, including providing resources and equipment to support families and promote consistency in children's care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager has a good knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibilities to safeguard children's welfare. All staff complete safeguarding training, including about the 'Prevent' duty, and discuss different safeguarding aspects and procedures at regular meetings. Staff know how to recognise the potential signs that may mean a child is at risk. They know the process to refer concerns or seek advice to keep children safe. The manager has secure recruitment systems in place to ensure staff are suitable. Staff use risk assessment effectively to keep children safe. They are well deployed and supervise children at all times.

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should:

n review the organisation of whole-group activities for older children to support them to concentrate and become more deeply involved and to extend their

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should:

14 March 2023 learning further n strengthen the monitoring, support and coaching for the staff working with the youngest children to help them to target each child's individual learning needs more consistently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY383189 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10279790 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Delaware Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01822 832093 Date of previous inspection 25 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Delaware Pre School registered in 2009 and operates from a room in the purpose- built community centre in Gunnislake, Cornwall. The pre-school is open from 8am to 5.30pm, each weekday, all year round. There are 12 staff, of whom nine hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3 and two staff hold higher qualifications. The pre-school receives early education funding to provide free places for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk and two joint observations where the manager discussed the curriculum and the impact on children's learning. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n Staff shared their knowledge of the procedures, routines and children when speaking with the inspector and reflected on their positive relationships with the manager and colleagues. n The inspector took account of views of parents and children through discussions held during the inspection. n The provider, manager and deputy manager met with the inspector to discuss the management of the setting and their policies and procedures.

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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

14 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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