River Meadow Pre-School

Inspection of River Meadow Pre- School Thames Drive, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire MK16 9DS

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy learners. They develop close bonds with their key person and they begin to explore their learning environment with increasing confidence. This demonstrates that they feel safe and secure. Staff know each child very well and they encourage investigative play linked to their interests. For example, as children explore oranges with their senses, they are excited to smell their scent and squeeze them in their hands to remove their pips.

p.2

The provision is good

On the whole, children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They become absorbed in their self-chosen play, such as when they use flower petals to create their own potions. Younger children enjoy water play and explore cause and effect as they repeatedly fill and empty jugs, observing the effect of moving water. Children respond less positively to large-group learning, where expectations for these times are not clear.

p.2

The provision is good

Children make good progress and they benefit from learning opportunities that help them to develop an understanding of the world around them. For instance, they learn first hand where food comes from when they tend to vegetables in the pre- school garden. Children harvest their crop of potatoes and delight in cooking and tasting them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The new manager has started in her position very recently. In the extremely short time that she has been in role, she has evaluated the provision and is supporting and coaching staff to gradually implement plans to improve. This has an initial focus on making flexible use of spaces in the environment. This is having a positive impact on children already and staff report that they feel positive about the changes they are making. n Staff at the pre-school share an equally clear vision of the aims for learning and how they will prepare children for their eventual move to school. Staff find out about children's starting points by talking to parents about their achievements at home. They develop the curriculum from this point. n The pre-school is inclusive and staff support vulnerable children effectively. For instance, they recently welcomed many new families from other countries. Staff were deployed well to meet children's needs and help them to adjust to new

p.2

need to do better?

routines as swiftly as possible. Staff also used this opportunity successfully to help children to learn about differences between themselves and others. n Staff use additional funding well to meet children's individual needs. For example, they have purchased resources linked to children's interests at home. They place these in different areas of the pre-school. This is encouraging children to explore more areas, which is helping to develop their confidence.

p.2

need to do better?

11 September 2023 n Staff interact with children effectively with plenty of to and fro interactions. However, on occasions, staff are not fully effective at recognising where they can use conversation and demonstration even more effectively to help develop children's knowledge and skills. For instance, staff do not capture opportunities where they can help demonstrate to children how to use tools correctly. At other times, they do not fully consider how to link children's comments to prior learning or new concepts to help extend their knowledge. n Staff provide a range of opportunities for outdoor play, fresh air and exercise. This promotes children's physical development. For instance, staff help children learn to balance as they walk along the bridge to go down the slide. Children persevere as they build towers with bricks and they enjoy being creative outdoors, painting pictures alongside their friends.

p.2

need to do better?

n Overall, children demonstrate good levels of engagement in their play. However, at times in the day when children come together for large-group activities, they are unclear of expectations. Children quickly become distracted and staff spend time re-directing children, rather than supporting the intended learning. n The pre-school committee are active leaders. For instance, they maintain close contact with the manager and each other and they contribute to improvement planning.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff have a secure understanding of their role to protect children's welfare. They have robust procedures in place to support children who have health needs and require medication. Staff understand the importance of risk assessment and describe checks that they make to the building and equipment each day before children arrive. Staff share a good understanding of safeguarding and signs and symptoms of abuse, such as physical abuse, grooming and extreme views or behaviours. They are familiar with local safeguarding partnership procedures should they need to refer concerns about children's welfare or staff practice.

p.3

should:

n strengthen the organisation of large-group activities, ensuring that staff are deployed more effectively and children know what is expected of them n support staff and help them to recognise and use opportunities to teach children new knowledge and skills more effectively.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY314549 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10301590 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person River Meadow Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01908 615 200 Date of previous inspection 16 January 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

River Meadow Pre-School registered in 1986. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during term time only. Breakfast club sessions run from 7.40am until 8.40am and pre-school sessions run from 8.50am to 2.50pm. The pre-school employs 10 staff. Of these, seven hold qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre- school receives funding to provide free early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.4

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 Parents talked to the inspector and shared their views of the pre-school. n The inspector, pre-school chair and manager held a meeting to discuss the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The inspector joined the deputy manager on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their 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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

11 September 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6