Potton Woodentops

Inspection of Potton Woodentops The Hollow, Biggleswade Road, Potton, Beds SG19 2LU

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Overall, the quality of teaching requires improvement. The interactions between the staff and children are variable. Staff do not constantly respond to each child's emerging interests and natural curiosity as they play and participate in planned adult-led activities. For example, younger children show an interest and are eager to take part in a dough activity. However, they are told it is not their turn, to move away and play with something else. Consequently, younger children sometimes cry and begin to wander around the room with no purpose to their play. Furthermore, children's behaviour sometimes deteriorates.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they are happy to attend and independently select what they would like to play with. Children enjoy being physically active in the fresh air. They develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they pour rice from one container to another. Older children demonstrate their problem-solving skills. They successfully create a see-saw by placing a wooden plank across a tyre, proudly showing their friends by demonstrating how to use it. Children make constructions out of bricks and build the train track. They make marks on paper, learn to use scissors safely and are introduced to mathematical concepts such as 'big', 'small', 'long' and 'short'.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider, who is also the manager of the provision, demonstrates a willingness to make improvements. Staff state that they enjoy working at the provision and have opportunities to complete training courses. For example, staff have completed training about understanding autism to broaden their knowledge. However, training opportunities overall are not broad enough to ensure that all staff have good knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of education provided for the children. n Staff are not always deployed effectively to ensure that they meet the needs of the children and ensure their safety. During the inspection, staff failed to consistently monitor children in a corridor that leads to the children's toilets and outdoor area. A child was observed wandering in and out of the toilets, and a further child positioned themselves behind the wellington boot rack. This meant that they were not supervised appropriately by the staff.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the children's stage of development. They complete observations of the children and share photos of them participating in activities with parents. However, overall, staff do not always extend children's interests as they play and build on what each child knows and can already do. n Staff reinforce rules and boundaries with the children at the start of the morning. However, on occasions, staff do not consistently notice when children's

p.2

need to do better?

27 March 2023 behaviour declines or reinforce their strategies to support them to manage their feelings and behaviours. For example, one child was observed pushing another, and one was observed rolling on top of another during the inspection. n The managers and staff demonstrate good relationships with the children and their families. Children are confident to approach staff for reassurance and a cuddle. These interactions help children to form attachments. Children's independence is encouraged. For example, children choose their snack and learn to put on their outdoor clothing before going outside to play. n Management and staff continue to recognise that some children need additional support with their language development. They provide opportunities for the children to sing rhymes and songs. Children particularly enjoy songs with actions, such as 'The wheels on the bus'. They learn sign language to aid

p.2

need to do better?

communication, learn to differentiate between different sounds and are introduced to descriptive language as they explore items in the treasure tins. n Staff undertake additional training to enable them to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work closely with children's families and other professionals. n Staff appropriately support children who receive early years pupil premium. Additional funding has been used to purchase additional resources, for example, to enhance learning opportunities in the outdoor area.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Managers and staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the possible signs of abuse and neglect. They understand the importance of making a swift referral to the relevant agencies if they have a concern about a child in their care. Furthermore, managers and staff know what to do in the event of an allegation being made against them. Staff receive regular child protection training and participate in quizzes to ensure that their knowledge is up to date. Managers follow appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. They complete daily checks of the premises and surrounding outdoor areas to keep children safe.

p.3

Due date

27 March 2023 improve the delivery of activities and staff interactions with the children to ensure that they stimulate children's interests, respond to each child's emerging needs, and guide their development through positive interactions 23/06/2023

p.3

Due date

make sure the deployment of staff meets the needs of all children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times; this refers to the supervision of children in the corridor and toilet area 31/03/2023

p.4

Due date

target staff development more sharply to develop high-quality interactions between the staff and children during play. 23/06/2023

p.4

should:

n reinforce strategies to support children to manage their own feelings and behaviours.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY478548 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10283854 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Noakes, Anne Jacqueline

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01767261100 Date of previous inspection 26 March 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Potton Woodentops registered in 2014. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one member of staff with early years professional status. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 4pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 8am until 1pm on Friday. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 registered provider, who is also the manager of the provision, completed a learning walk with the inspector across all areas of the provision to enable the inspector to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n The manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of documents was reviewed by the inspector. This included evidence

p.6

Inspection activities

of staff suitability and training. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them at the inspection.

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

27 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