Quarndon Pre-School

Inspection of Quarndon Pre-School St Pauls Church Hall, Church Road, Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 5JB

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily at the pre-school, and staff greet them at the door. They find their name for self-registration and put it on their 'belongings pocket'. Children seek out staff to say hello and to tell them about their weekend. Staff listen attentively and ask questions to prompt further two-way conversations. This helps to build strong attachments and gives children a sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

Staff create a stimulating environment, which includes resources stored at a low level for children to self-select. Children benefit from an ambitious curriculum, which helps to spark their creativity and use of their imaginations. For instance, children seek out their friends to join in with role play. They then cooperatively decide who is going to be each character and quickly become engrossed in their 'lost princess' story. Children pretend to search the palace for the princess. Once found, they tell her to rest, and they use their 'magical powers' to turn a book into a pillow. Staff support children's developing imagination by giving them the freedom of self-expression. They use questions to prompt children's thinking further.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with lots of opportunities to be active and to develop their physical skills. Children learn to balance and coordinate their body as they successfully negotiate the climbing frame and slide. They patiently wait their turn and remind their friends about using the equipment safely.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have worked hard to address the weaknesses identified at the last inspection. They work closely with staff to support their learning, offering training and coaching. For example, staff have attended safeguarding training, which has secured their understanding of what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare. Leaders have reviewed their recruitment processes to ensure that new committee members have the required suitability checks completed. n Staff provide activities to support children's social interactions. For instance, children are encouraged to join in with group time. Staff play familiar songs, moving around the room while performing actions to the words. Children stomp their feet like elephants and sway their arms like elephant trunks. Staff are good role models and encourage less confident children to join in. Children giggle as they use their arms to weave in and out of each other, hissing like snakes.

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need to do better?

n Children behave well and know what is expected of them. They share, take turns and show consideration to their friends. For example, during a crown making activity, children tell staff that they will not use all the gems because their friends might like some too. On the rare occasions when staff need to

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need to do better?

9 May 2023 remind the children about the rules, they listen and respond positively. n The manager actively promotes well-being with her staff. They work well together as a strong team. Staff have one-to-one meetings with leaders. They discuss any training they have completed, safeguarding and any health and safety issues. However, staff are not always provided with clear objectives to support their professional development, to improve the outcomes for children. n Parents and carers speak very highly of the pre-school. They comment that staff are dedicated to their role and offer families support and guidance when needed. Parents say that their children love pre-school and count down the days until it is a pre-school day. The manager and staff speak daily with parents to provide them with information about their children's day. However, staff do not keep all parents fully informed about what their children are learning. This

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need to do better?

means that some parents do not have all the information they need to support their child's continued learning at home. n Children move freely around the environment, inside and outside, choosing activities and leading their own play. Staff use children's interests skilfully to help them to build on what they already know and can do. For example, children show an interest in wildlife and frogs. Staff use pretend lily pads and frogs to support children's mathematical development. Children learn to count from one to five, placing the correct number of frogs onto a lily pad. Once mastered, staff extend the activity, and children learn to count to 10. They then compare sizes and put the lily pads in order, smallest to biggest. This sequenced learning secures children's understanding of early mathematical concepts.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff understand their safeguarding role and responsibilities. They have recently updated their knowledge on child protection issues and how to report concerns to professionals outside of the setting. Staff can identify the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They are aware of the steps to follow should an allegation be made against a staff member. Leaders have effective procedures for the recruitment and induction of new staff or committee members. Staff make sure the premises are secure to ensure children cannot leave unsupervised and any unauthorised visitors to the setting cannot gain entry.

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should:

n improve strategies for sharing information with parents so they are clear about what the learning intention is for their children, to help support children's learning at home n strengthen arrangements for staff supervision in order to identify any targeted

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should:

9 May 2023 support and training effectively, to improve outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 206841 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10266257 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Quarndon Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07840801153 Date of previous inspection 9 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Quarndon Pre-School registered in 1972 and is located in Quarndon, Derbyshire. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The pre-school also operates a before- and after-school club, which opens from 7.30am until 9am and 3.15pm until 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding for early education for three- and four-year- old children. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff, five of whom hold a childcare qualification at level 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre- school. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk together. The inspector spoke with the manager to gain an understanding of their curriculum intent. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and 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

9 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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