Magpies Preschool

Inspection of Magpies Preschool North Kidlington School, Benmead Road, Kidlington OX5 2DA

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Safeguarding procedures, particularly for the recruitment of staff, are weak. There are no systems to monitor that all suitability checks for staff are followed up and completed in a timely manner. This means that checks are not monitored robustly. In addition, some staff have yet to have all their checks completed.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are generally well supported by staff. They are happy and settled during their time at pre-school and explore the range of play opportunities available to them throughout the day. Staff have high expectations for all children, who behave well and have a positive attitude to learning. Children learn the rules, such as using their 'kind hands' and sharing the toys with their friends. Staff indicate when it is 'tidy-up time' by singing the 'tidy-up song' and children listen attentively and join in. They quickly get to work and put the toys away. Staff praise them for their good work, which children show they appreciate.

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The provision is inadequate

Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For instance, they drive the ride-on car and they balance on beams as they pretend that the floor is lava. Children are developing their small motor skills. They pour water from one container to another and make marks in flour. Children are encouraged to butter their toast during snack time and pour their own drink.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to monitor that safer recruitment procedures are implemented effectively. There is insufficient information available to confirm that the required suitability checks are completed on the adults who work with children. This prevents the provider from demonstrating that the staff working with children are suitable to do so. There are weaknesses in the safeguarding and welfare requirements, which have an impact on children's safety and well- being. n The manager and staff team are passionate about the children in their care. They implement effective procedures to support the children and their families. Staff complete regular training to help them carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively. Managers monitor staff practice to evaluate and highlight areas for their professional development. n Revised planning for the early years curriculum is in its early stages of being

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need to do better?

implemented. The manager has put in place effective systems to support staff in understanding the new way of working. This helps them have a greater knowledge of what they want children to learn, the support they provide and the impact on their learning. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are generally well supported. However, on occasions, staff are not fully aware of children's

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need to do better?

4 May 2023 individual needs to enable them to help children engage in their learning. Funding is spent well and links to children's interests and needs. n Staff support children's communication and language well. They read familiar stories to children, such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. Staff use props to help younger children concentrate and participate. They encourage children to count and name the fruit. They sing songs using puppets. Children eagerly join in and work out simple mathematical problems, such as how many current buns are left. n Staff gather key words from parents in their home language to enable them to support children who speak English as an additional language, when they are settling in. Staff plan and provide many occasions for children to learn about a wide range of different festivals throughout the year. For example, children print pictures of a crown and enjoy putting jam on scones and eating them, to

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need to do better?

celebrate the King's Coronation. n Parents comment that they feel well supported by the kind and caring staff team. They receive information about their child's developmental progress and how they can support their child at home. However, the feedback provided to parents at pick-up time is not detailed enough to enable parents to find out what their child has done during their time at pre-school. n The staff work in partnership with other professionals. For example, they take advice from the speech and language team to support children's speaking and understanding skills. Staff work closely with schools to ensure there is a smooth transition for the children who move on to Reception class.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The recruitment procedures in place are weak. The checks completed to assess the suitability of staff are not available for inspection or shared with the manager of the pre-school. She is unable to check the information on the staff who work with the children. Staff have a secure understanding of child protection, including the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. They monitor children effectively and work in partnership with other agencies to keep children safe. Staff supervise children well, inside and outside. For example, staff stay close to children during water play and are vigilant when the front door opens at arrival and collection times.

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Due date

4 May 2023 implement robust monitoring systems to ensure that that the pre-school continues to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements 31/05/2023

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Due date

ensure safer recruitment procedures are implemented effectively to ensure that suitability checks are completed on staff and are followed up in a timely manner. 31/05/2023

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should:

n enhance the feedback shared with parents about their child and what they have been doing during the day n strengthen support for staff to ensure they fully understand how they help individual children in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2663423 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10286645 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 32 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Kidlington Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01865 842724 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Magpies Preschool re-registered in 2021. It is based in self-contained premises in the grounds of North Kidlington School. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs nine staff, all of whom have appropriate early years qualifications. The main pre-school morning session is from 8.45am to 11.45am. The afternoon session runs from 12.15pm until 3.15pm. A lunch club is provided, which runs from 11.45am to 12.15pm. A holiday playscheme operates during school holidays.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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

4 May 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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