Ashton Vale Pre-School

Inspection of Ashton Vale Pre-School Ashton Vale Church, Risdale Road, Ashton Vale, Bristol BS3 2QY

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children thrive and enjoy their time at this friendly pre-school. Staff offer parents and children a warm welcome as they arrive. Children separate easily from their parents and show they feel safe and secure. They go off to explore the range of stimulating activities that have been specifically chosen to help them follow their interests. Children learn about the wider community. For example, they meet lifeguards and police officers and find out how they help people. Children learn about different cultures, focusing on festivals that occur in the local community. This prepares them for life in modern Britain. Staff use observations to identify relevant next steps in children's learning and know what they want children to learn. Children show excellent attitudes to learning. They benefit from targeted activities and experiences that meet their needs, including those in receipt of additional funding.

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The provision is good

Children develop their communication and language ability. They have opportunities to practise their speaking skills. They sing familiar songs, such as songs about the days of the week. Staff skilfully support children. For example, they repeat words slowly to show correct pronunciation for younger children. They ask older children questions that require longer responses. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language well. They introduce words in children's home languages and say these words in English to build children's understanding.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are passionate about providing high-quality care and learning for children. They implement robust systems to support and supervise staff. Any gaps in training needs are quickly identified and acted on. Staff pool their knowledge, sharing the things they have learned from training. Consequently, all staff offer similar approaches to children and the standard of teaching is consistently good. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported with timely interventions. Gaps in children's learning and development are identified as soon as they start at the pre-school. Staff seek help from knowledgeable professionals. For example, they work with speech and language specialists to create effective targets and relevant resources for children. This ensures that all children develop and achieve to their highest potential. n Children behave extremely well. Staff have high expectations of all children and

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need to do better?

teach them the rules of the pre-school. Staff offer gentle reminders to children on the limited occasions it is needed. Children respond quickly to these prompts. However, the organisation at the end of mealtimes means some children lose focus and get over excited. This affects their ability to follow the routines of the

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need to do better?

30 June 2023 setting. Also, for younger children, some whole-group activities are too long. Staff do not always flexibly support them to ensure that they are fully engaged in these purposeful activities. n The key-worker system is effective. Staff can confidently explain where children are in their development and what they need to do next to support their learning. They use daily group times with their key children to build their social skills and revisit learning. Children benefit from these small groups where they build strong bonds with the staff and children. n Staff give children the opportunity to carry out small tasks and build their independence. For example, older children help to set out name cards, cutlery and bowls for their friends at snack time. Children develop their confidence and social skills as they ask their friends what they would like to eat and drink. n Children develop their health and physical skills. They improve their balance,

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need to do better?

strength and coordination on daily runs outdoors. Younger children build on these skills while using spades to fill wheelbarrows with stones. Older children negotiate space and develop their coordination while racing each other on bicycles. n Leaders and staff communicate very effectively with parents and teachers from the schools children will move on to. They share ideas with parents, so they can support their child's progress. For example, staff share sign language for key words to help children's speech and language development at home. They meet with Reception class teachers and share in-depth information about children's learning and development needs. This helps teachers to support children more effectively and settle them quickly.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a secure knowledge of how to identify and report potential concerns about children's welfare. They also understand their responsibility to pass on any concerns they have about adults working with children. Leaders follow robust recruitment and vetting procedures. They ensure that new staff are suitable to work with children and check the ongoing suitability of all staff annually. Staff ensure that the pre-school is safe for children. For example, they lock the gates during the day, so no one can enter the premises. Staff teach children how to keep themselves safe. For instance, children learn about the potential dangers of UV rays and how to protect themselves from these.

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should:

n enhance the organisation of mealtimes, so the engagement and behaviour of all children is consistently supported to a high standard

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should:

30 June 2023 n organise whole-group activities more effectively for younger children to ensure that each child can focus on the intended learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 106903 Local authority Bristol City of Inspection number 10279865 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 60 Number of children on roll 59 Name of registered person Ashton Vale Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07980 065799 Date of previous inspection 26 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Ashton Vale Pre-School registered in 1994. The pre-school employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds early years professional status, one is a qualified early years teacher and nine staff members hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 4pm. 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 that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector observed the staff's interactions with the children, indoors and outdoors, and the impact of these on children's learning. n The deputy manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years foundation stage curriculum. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including checking evidence of the suitability of the staff. n The inspector held discussions with the deputy manager, the staff and the children at appropriate times during the inspection. She held a short meeting

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Inspection activities

with the deputy manager to discuss aspects of leadership and management.

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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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