Potton Pre-School

Inspection of Potton Pre-School Next to Potton Lower School, Everton Road, Potton, SANDY, Bedfordshire SG19 2PB

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children are highly motivated and eager to learn at this extremely welcoming and family-orientated pre-school. They benefit from a wide range of challenging and innovative activities and experiences, inside and outside, that staff know will interest and excite them. For example, children beam with excitement as they discuss the fruits and vegetables that they are growing in the garden. Staff support this learning, adding language as they smell various herbs. Children learn words such as 'oregano' and are supported to use descriptive language as they use their senses to explore.

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The provision is outstanding

Children have an abundance of opportunities to be inquisitive and problem-solve as they play. Staff skilfully ask appropriate questions to encourage children to express their opinions and feelings. For example, staff ask younger children what butterflies use to fly as they take part in a yoga session. Children imitate movement, developing their physical skills, and offer their ideas while using words such as 'antennas'.

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The provision is outstanding

Relationships between children and staff are superb. Staff model how to talk and act respectfully, reminding children of the rules of the setting. They encourage children to use manners and be kind to others, allowing older children time to resolve conflict independently. As a result, children demonstrate high levels of respect and tolerance towards others.

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need to do better?

n The management team and staff team implement the pre-school's very strong and clear curriculum. This supports children to embed and build on their skills and knowledge across all areas of learning. The quality of teaching is consistent across the staff team and, as a result, children thrive. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive outstanding support and flourish in their development. The manager and staff go above and beyond to ensure that children get every possible resource available to them. For instance, staff visit other settings that children attend and conduct home visits to get a deep understanding of where children may need additional support. Various intervention strategies are in place to ensure that children make the best possible progress. n Staff provide an abundance of opportunities for children to master skills and be

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need to do better?

confident learners. For example, all children have fantastic opportunities to take risks and problem-solve during their time at the pre-school. They create ramps using loose parts and independently decide how safe it is going to be before testing their theories.

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need to do better?

20 June 2023 n Mathematics is taught exceptionally well. Staff create opportunities to teach children about number and provide opportunities for children to think about number problems. For example, some children play in a tray of sand and begin to cover a member of staff's hands with sand. She encourages them to count each finger as they hide it in the sand. n Staff commentate during activities to introduce keywords and expand children's vocabulary. For example, as children cut up various herbs, staff tell children that if they rub the herb, the scent will transfer onto their skin. They ensure that children have high exposure to print in relevant languages to support their emerging literacy skills. As a result, children are inquisitive learners and strong communicators. n Children have excellent opportunities to discover a love of reading from a young age. Staff ensure that children have access to a range of fiction and non-fiction

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need to do better?

books, teaching children that they can gain knowledge from them. During carpet times, children are intrigued and ask questions about the author and the illustrator of the book. n The pre-school manager has an excellent commitment to training her staff and, as a result, staff are passionate and knowledgeable. She forms strong links with neighbouring schools and early years settings to ensure that transitions are seamless and children receive the best possible support during this time. n Communication with external professionals is exceptional. The pre-school manager liaises with the community nursery nurse and relevant local authority professionals to ensure that families receive the best possible support. Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They say their children have developed rapidly in confidence and independence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff are fully committed to ensuring that all children are safe and secure. Staff demonstrate an excellent knowledge of safeguarding. They maintain this by undertaking regular training that increases their awareness of a wide range of safeguarding topics and concerns. Staff confidently explain the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation against a member of staff and what to do if they have an immediate concern regarding a child. Children are taught to manage their own risks. They are taught to keep themselves safe as they participate in activities with sharp tools, such as scissors or knives.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396150 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10289609 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 36 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Potton Pre-School (St. Mary's) Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01767262807 Date of previous inspection 30 November 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Potton Pre-School has been operating for over 45 years. There are currently 10 staff working directly with children. Of these, five hold qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am to 11.45am and from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with the option of a lunch club from 11.45am to 12.30pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The pre- school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 this into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The pre-school manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n Parents shared written views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the pre-school manager and the deputy manager about the leadership and management of the setting.

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Inspection activities

n The pre-school manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

20 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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