Pilton Pre-School

Inspection of Pilton Pre-School Methodist Chapel Rooms, Top Street, Pilton, Somerset BA4 4DH

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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 Good

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The provision is outstanding

Children flourish in this exceptional pre-school. They show they feel safe and happy as they confidently immerse themselves in activities. Children thrive from the ambitious and meticulously planned curriculum. They are highly motivated and persevere at challenging tasks. For example, children learn how to use fire strikers as part of their woodland activities. Children and staff celebrate together when each child succeeds at the difficult task.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is impeccable. There is mutual respect between staff and children. Highly skilled staff guide children to regulate their behaviour and encourage kind interactions with their friends. For example, children building a pretend campfire invite younger children to join their play. Staff praise children's kindness.

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The provision is outstanding

As children explore natural materials to create their own unique constructions, they take lead of their learning. Staff reinforce children's emotional development and self-esteem through praising their efforts, encouraging their ideas and valuing their voices. Staff demonstrate immense passion and have high expectations for all children. The support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exemplary. Staff know children extremely well and are in tune with their needs. Children make excellent progress across all areas of their development. They are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including moving on to school.

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need to do better?

n Staff provide expert support and quality interactions for children's communication and language development. They deliver a stimulating and language-rich environment, regularly introducing new vocabulary. Staff are highly conscientious in their own communication, so that they are clear. They break down instructions so that children understand, while also providing challenge that matches children's individual stage of development. Children demonstrate excellent communication and use of language. n Staff that support children with SEND are highly experienced and well trained. They make excellent use of strategies to support children. For example, staff regularly use sign language and picture cards. These are effective at helping non-verbal children to communicate. Funding is used to ensure children with SEND have one-to-one support to help them make the best possible progress. n Children and staff relish retelling stories together. They use actions and natural

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need to do better?

objects to represent characters. They laugh together as they act out caterpillars spinning cocoons. This happy atmosphere creates a sense of belonging where everyone is welcome and included. Children learn how to confidently retell

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need to do better?

30 June 2023 stories and how to have fun together. n Management and staff relentlessly strive for the best possible outcomes for children. Staff meet regularly to discuss and evaluate the quality and impact of education for children. They attend regular training and use this to make improvements to the setting and their practice. Recent training on sensory processing and communication has led to staff self-evaluating and looking in detail at their interactions with children. As a result, they have improved how they communicate with children. Staff update parents with information they have learned from training, such as positive ways to communicate with children. n Management and staff go to great lengths to support children and their families. They are highly resourceful, facilitating support such as training for parents. Management and staff recognise the pressures that family life can sometimes have on children's development. Staff undergo targeted training so that they can

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need to do better?

fully support families through difficult situations. This has had an enormous impact on children's progress. Parents report that they feel extremely fortunate for the support their children receive. n Parents are extensively involved in their children's learning. They are welcomed into the setting to join weekly forest school sessions. Managers are ingenious in finding ways to involve parents. For example, parents visit the setting to share their hobbies, profession or pets. This works well, creating a community of people who provide valuable learning opportunities for children. n Staff report that they feel well supported and enjoy working at the pre-school. This is shown through the warmth and affection staff share with children. Staff work outstandingly well together as a team. This filters down to children, as they follow staff's role model. For example, children work together as a team to quickly tidy the garden.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Management and staff take their safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. They have a secure knowledge of how to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. All staff attend regular safeguarding training and can confidently identify signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse. Staff support children to risk assess situations for themselves. They help children to identify and fix hazards, such as uneven ground in the garden. Children learn how to use equipment safely. They know to remain in the 'safety position' while using 'risky tools'. These experiences teach children about measuring and managing risk. Staff implement effective risk assessments in order to reduce any potential risks to children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142986 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10298817 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Pilton Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01749 899 147 Date of previous inspection 12 January 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Pilton Pre-School registered in 1992. It has been in operation since 1966. It operates within the Methodist Chapel rooms in the village of Pilton, Somerset. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 4pm, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are eight members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds qualified teacher status, two hold a level 5 qualification, one holds a level 4, two hold a level 3 and one holds a level 2 childcare qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 carried out a joint observation of an activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n Staff talked to the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. The inspector took account of their views. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn.

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Inspection activities

n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children.

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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

30 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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