Welford Pre-School

Inspection of Welford Pre-School The Mobile Unit, Welford Sibbertoft & Sulby Endowed School, West Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6 6HU

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children confidently say goodbye to their parents and/or carers when they arrive at the pre-school. Staff greet children warmly and encourage them to put their lunch boxes and drink bottles away. Children benefit from a curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. For example, staff share the story of 'The Gruffalo' with children. Later, children become highly engaged in a 'Gruffalo' hunt outside with their friends and recall parts of the story.

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The provision is good

Staff support children to develop a healthy lifestyle. At snack time, children try different healthy foods. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills in the outside area. They race around on bikes, negotiating space successfully. Children tell visitors to the setting that they have learned how to pedal a bike, after being confident in the use of a balance bike. Staff also support children to take and manage appropriate risks. Children excitedly problem-solve how to travel between two tyres by using a log. They hold their arms out to help them balance as they try and cross.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children to care for each other. Older children help those younger than themselves to reach a seashell from the water tray. Staff praise children when they use good manners, such as saying 'excuse me' and 'thank you'.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager has worked hard to meet the actions set. She has reviewed the procedures for checking the identity of visitors to the pre- school. Staff are now clear on what they want children to learn during activities. The manager can identify what the pre-school does well and what she would like to do next to continue to improve. This includes introducing an electronic communication system for parents. n Staff recognise the experiences children have at home and plan to expand on these and provide additional opportunities. For example, children share their unique experiences of going on holiday on an aeroplane to visit a different country. From this, staff help other children to learn about holidays and provide opportunities for them to go on a pretend holiday in the setting, on 'Welford Airlines'. Children find their seat using their numbered tickets and order a drink and snack from the trolley.

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need to do better?

n Staff's interactions with children are of a consistently high quality. Many natural conversations and discussions evolve between staff and children throughout the day. Staff ask thoughtful questions to assess and develop children's knowledge and understanding. On some occasions, staff are sometimes so enthusiastic to develop children's learning that they ask a lot of questions in quick succession. This means children do not always have time to consider how to respond before

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need to do better?

14 June 2023 they are asked a further question. n Overall, staff support children to understand the routines of the day. This helps children to understand what is happening now and what to expect next. On occasions, transition times, such as getting ready to go outside, can be a little chaotic. This means that some children are not always sure what to do. n Staff consistently introduce children to new vocabulary. They check children understand what the new words they are learning mean. For example, when building a train track, staff introduce the words 'attract' and 'repel' to children when using magnets to join a train and carriages together. Later, children become engrossed in a mathematical activity with staff. They use mathematical vocabulary with confidence, such as 'cylinder' and 'balancing'. n Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported very well. Staff find out all about children's individual needs and work

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need to do better?

alongside other agencies and other settings children attend to provide effective support. Staff regularly attend training to develop their understanding of supporting children who have SEND. n Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the care the pre-school provides. They comment that they have regular conversations with their child's key person. Parents explain how the pre-school staff provide ideas to help them support their children's learning at home. They comment how they enjoy the regular stay-and-play sessions and how all staff at the pre-school are kind and approachable.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff can confidently identify signs and indicators that children may be at risk of potential abuse. They know who to pass on their concerns to about a child, or if there is an allegation against a member of staff. Staff work in line with local authority partnership guidance. Staff complete regular training, and the manager makes sure that their knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding issues is secure. Robust recruitment procedures are in place for employing new staff. When new staff start, they undertake a thorough induction process so they have a secure knowledge of how to keep children safe at the pre- school.

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should:

n allow children more time to respond to questions before moving on n consider the organisation of transition times so that all children know what to do.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY360214 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10247230 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 24 Number of children on roll 85 Name of registered person Welford Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 01858 575 134 Date of previous inspection 17 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Welford Pre-School registered in 1984. It is located in Welford, Northamptonshire. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold qualifications at level 3 and above, with the manager holding a level 7 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 7.45am until 5.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider. n The manager spoke to the inspector about how she plans her curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents. Written feedback from parents was also viewed and taken into account. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children during activities. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching to assess the impact on children's learning. n The inspector and manager carried out a joint observation of an activity.

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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 June 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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