Thurmaston Village Pre-School

Inspection of Thurmaston Village Pre- School Memorial Hall, Melton Road, Thurmaston, LEICESTER LE4 8BD

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive eager to play in the engaging environment created by the staff. They have strong bonds with all staff and settle quickly in their care. Children develop their confidence and hold vibrant conversations with staff and friends as they use their imagination to play with dinosaurs. They listen carefully as staff explain new vocabulary and share knowledge, for example that a brontosaurus had a long neck to reach high in the trees. Children develop their hand muscles, gripping and pushing small blocks to build a volcano with the staff's encouragement. They happily share their ideas about meteors and the colour of lava and show deep concentration during play.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff praise the children for behaving well and using good manners as they help to clean and set the table ready for snack time. Children count the seats to make sure they have put enough out for all their friends. They show their growing independence as they identify and collect their own water bottles. Children learn how to keep themselves safe on walks in the community. They hold their friend's hand and remind one another how staff have shown them to stand still with their arms folded if they see a dog. Children are inquisitive and ask staff a variety of questions about the nature they see, such as what the green algae is in the water.

p.2

need to do better?

n The staff know the children and their families well, including what interests the children have. They observe children to find out what they know and can do. This helps them identify what children need to learn next and how to address any gaps in their learning. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. n Staff plan activities based on children's current interests and focus on the skills and knowledge they want individual children to learn. They support children who are learning to use the bathroom independently to dress and undress dolls. Staff praise them for showing perseverance when doing up buttons and teach them keywords associated with getting changed. However, some staff only support children with what they have planned for them to learn from activities and therefore do not pick up on other opportunities to develop children's skills. This

p.2

need to do better?

means some children do not make the progress they are capable of during some activities. n Staff interact with children to help them develop their communication skills. They use repeated keywords for children who are learning English as an additional language. Staff talk to children about the Earth and explain new vocabulary, such as the word 'sphere' is a shape. n Staff support children to share and negotiate the use of resources. They teach children new skills and extend their knowledge during daily routines, such as

p.2

need to do better?

13 September 2023 encouraging them to wash their own plates after lunch and showing them how to put antibacterial gel on their hands after being outside. However, staff are not always clear about what they expect children to do, which causes some children confusion. When staff clap their hands for children to stop and follow them to another room, children new to the setting are unaware of what this means and continue playing. n The manager provides staff with some coaching and support, including training on communication and language. However, this is not tailored to staff's specific training needs. Therefore, although it is developing staff practice, it is not yet fully effective at improving the consistency of teaching and interactions for some staff. n Staff offer children new experiences they may not get elsewhere. They help children investigate the vegetables they have grown in the community allotment,

p.2

need to do better?

such as corn on the cob. Children say 'wow' and ask thoughtful questions as they excitedly pull the leaves apart to see what is inside. Staff explain they will cook the corn for the children to investigate further. n Staff are committed to building good relationships with all parents and carers from when their children first start. Parents feel that their children are happy and relaxed in the setting. They comment that staff always support children's development needs and communicate with them about all aspects of children's care and education.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff ensure the environment is safe for children to play in. They assess risks and take steps to minimise potential hazards, particularly outside. Staff follow a robust arrival procedure, including supervising all doors and checking the identification of visitors. The manager and staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children. They monitor and identify possible signs and symptoms that indicate a child is at risk of harm and record any concerns accurately. Staff know how and when to report their concerns to other professionals, such as the local authority designated officer. They understand local safeguarding concerns that affect the community. The manager checks the ongoing suitability of staff working with children.

p.3

should:

n provide staff with further support to be able to recognise and make the most of learning opportunities during activities n develop staff's understanding of how to provide clear and consistent expectations most effectively

p.3

should:

13 September 2023 n strengthen how leaders identify and provide the necessary support for individual staff to improve the consistency of interactions, skills and knowledge.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY349077 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10266848 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 6 Name of registered person Foster, Lara Alice

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0116 269 6406 Date of previous inspection 16 November 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Thurmaston Village Pre-School registered in 2007 and is located in Leicestershire. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens Monday from 9.15am until 12.15pm, and Tuesday to Thursday from 9.15am to 3pm, term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector conducted a learning walk together, discussing the learning intention for children and how the environment is arranged. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated the general environment and staff's interactions with children. n The inspector held discussions with staff regularly during the inspection. n Parents' and carers' views were taken into consideration. n A sample of documents were reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks, and safeguarding policies and procedures.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

13 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7