Mowden Pre-School

Inspection of Mowden Pre-School c/o Mowden Infant School, Bushel Hill Drive, Darlington, County Durham DL3 9QG

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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 settle quickly into this exceptionally well-resourced and welcoming environment. Staff know children very well and ensure that their favourite resources are available from the very moment their day begins. This helps children to feel safe and secure in the pre-school. Staff are skilled practitioners. For example, they know when to stand back to give children the opportunities to demonstrate their can-do attitude to learning. Children show a determination to succeed as they act out the story of the 'Giant Turnip'. Children plan together how to get a weighted sack of imaginary turnips onto a barrow. They decide where to position themselves to hold the sack and that all children need to pull the sack at the same time. Children respond with beaming smiles at the very genuine praise staff give them for their achievements.

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The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to learn about the natural world. Staff and children engage together in hunting for insects. Staff encourage children to use their thinking skills as they discuss together where the insects might be living in the garden. They remind children to handle the insects carefully as children place the insects onto their hands. Children show high levels of respect towards each other. They willingly share resources and invite children into their play. When required, staff very gently remind children of the rules and boundaries. They encourage children to think about the impact of their actions on children and adults.

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need to do better?

n Staff use their detailed knowledge of every child to plan a curriculum that provides children with enjoyable experiences, which excite and stimulate them to learn. Staff are proficient in recognising what children are learning and ensure that resources are available for their learning to continue. For example, when children find insects, staff instinctively add in magnifying glasses. This means that children's learning can be extended without interruption to children's play. n Children's communication and language are supported extremely well. Staff listen intently to children's conversations and use effective questions to help children to think for themselves. For example, when hunting for insects, staff wonder, 'Where spiders might live'. Children talk about the different areas of the garden as they search for spider's webs. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have very high

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need to do better?

levels of recognition and support. Staff are proactive in ensuring that they work in partnership with a wide range of other professionals to enable children to make the best possible progress in all their areas of development. n Parents are very complimentary about the service the pre-school provides. They praise the commitment of staff for the progress their children are making. Parents appreciate the flexibility for children's attendance to accommodate their

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need to do better?

12 July 2023 working hours. In particular, the parents of children with SEND value the high level of support given to themselves and their children. n Children relish the space the outdoor area provides. They confidently negotiate obstacles as they move around the different areas of the garden. Staff encourage children to climb onto a wooden frame and to negotiate the steps leading into the pre-school. n Staff are skilled at enabling children to remember previous events. For example, they discuss the different vegetables growing in the pre-school garden. Children recall a recent visit to nearby allotments and talk about the variety of fruits and vegetables growing there. n Staff provide children with many opportunities to access their immediate environment. For example, staff encourage children to write their own shopping lists and take children to the local shops to buy their ingredients. This helps children to learn about developing relationships as they meet different people.

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need to do better?

n Staff work together as a tight-knit team, where everyone looks after each other. Strong teamwork and shared high aspirations for children are at the heart of everything they do. n Some staff bring numbers and counting into children's play. For example, they encourage children to count how many peas are in the pods they have just opened. However, staff across the pre-school do not use mathematical language consistently. This means that staff do not maximise opportunities as they arise to bring numbers and counting into children's learning. n Staff do not fully consider how daily routines, for example mealtimes, can be used to extend and consolidate children's learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibilities to protect children. They know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare, including protecting children from extremist views. The manager and staff ensure that the premises are secure at all times and any potential hazards to children's safety are identified and minimised. Secure policies and regular staff training strengthen all aspects of safeguarding practice. Manages have robust recruitment procedures to ensure that only those suitable to work with children do so.

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should:

n support staff to be consistent in developing children's mathematical understanding, particularly children's understanding of numbers and counting n review the organisation of some daily routines to ensure that all opportunities are consistently used to extend and develop children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301168 Local authority Darlington Inspection number 10295219 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Mowden Pre School Group Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07812429563 Date of previous inspection 11 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Mowden Pre-School registered in 1999 and is located in Darlington. The pre-school employs seven members of staff. Of these, two staff are qualified at level 5 and five staff at level 3. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm, during term time. It provides funded early education for three- and four- year-old children.

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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 staff and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager and inspector carried out a learning walk. This helped the inspector to understand how they organise the early years provision and the curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact of this on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out with the manager. n The inspector spoke with children, parents and staff during the inspection. n The inspector looked at various documents, including those related to the suitability and qualifications of staff and records of children's learning.

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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

12 July 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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