Millfield Pre-School

Inspection of Millfield Pre-School South Rise, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0EE

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children benefit from spending time in this caring pre-school. This is because the experienced and knowledgeable staff focus their attention on supporting children's learning and enjoyment. For example, during children's free play, staff engage them in meaningful conversations about their interests. They encourage children to recall and talk about their previous experiences. This helps children to develop confidence and to practise their speaking skills. At snack time, where children can choose from a range of healthy food, they develop their social skills. Staff's interactions with children prompt them to ask questions and listen for answers. They encourage children to take turns and help each other.

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The provision is good

Children's positive behaviour shows that they feel safe and secure. They grow in confidence and skills. For example, new children copy the examples of staff and their peers to tidy up resources after their imaginative play. Staff praise children for their efforts. This encourages children to be proud of the contributions they make. Staff promote children's curiosity and desire to experiment. For example, they supply a range of materials that children can stack and build with. Staff use simple mathematical language which helps children to develop their awareness of shape, space and measure as well as their numeracy skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have addressed the actions raised at the previous inspection. They now ensure that Ofsted are kept up to date with any changes to committee members. The committee demonstrates a suitable understanding of its role and responsibilities. n The pre-school staff aim to deliver a high-quality education to children. For example, at the beginning of the school year, children who attended in the previous term are invited to attend for a few days to resettle before new children start. This helps the staff to reconnect with the children already attending before they need to concentrate on settling in the new children. It helps to create a smooth start to the pre-school year for all children. This helps children to be ready to engage with the learning opportunities on offer to them and maintains the calm atmosphere. n Leaders and staff work together to share what they know about the children

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need to do better?

through their frequent observations. They get to know children well and use this knowledge to identify where children are in their learning. Staff put clear plans in place to support them. This helps all children to make progress. n Staff report good levels of support for their well-being. Leaders enable them to develop their skills and knowledge. This contributes to continuous improvements in quality. A clear programme of professional development is in place. Managers ensure that staff understand what is expected of them in their daily practice with

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need to do better?

19 September 2023 children. n Parents value how welcoming staff are of their children. They say that their children look forward to attending pre-school. Parents keenly praise the pre- school staff. They report that they feel confident that their children are safe and secure. Parents value the support staff give with toilet training and how to encourage children's health and positive behaviour. n Children learn to handle books confidently. They enjoy choosing books that they would like to look at and talk to each other about the pictures. Staff playfully encourage children to retell a story that they are familiar with. This helps to develop children's interest in books and print. n Throughout the day, staff are deployed effectively to promote children's safety. Leaders have carefully assessed any risks and ensure that staff understand what they need to do to manage them. For example, staff are close to large garden

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need to do better?

play equipment. They explain to children how to keep themselves safe by not climbing when there is not an adult closely supporting them. n Staff teach children individually and in small groups. This helps to give children time and attention to support their development. However, young children and the least able children are not able to fully benefit from staff's teaching when staff gather them as a whole group. This is because the group time is too long for these children, and the teaching does not do enough to encourage their focus and engagement.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Effective recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that only suitable and skilled staff work with children. Appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to promote children's safety. Staff recognise the potential indicators of abuse and/or neglect. They report their concerns to those with lead responsibilities, who act to protect children. Staff are aware of how to raise concerns about those working with children. Members of the management committee understand their responsibility to safeguard children and liaise with other agencies when necessary, for example if concerns are raised about the suitability of a member of staff.

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should:

n review the organisation of larger group times and some daily routines to help children focus and engage in meaningful learning, where the teaching is sensitive to needs of the youngest and least-able children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 254176 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10265902 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 28 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Millfield Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01692 406 378 Date of previous inspection 11 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Millfield Pre-School registered in 1999 and is run by a voluntary committee. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with early years teacher status. The pre-school opens from 8am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.30am to 3.30pm Friday, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The manager and the inspector held a leadership and management meeting and

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Inspection activities

discussed how the pre-school is managed. The inspector spoke with the nominated individual on the telephone.

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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

19 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.

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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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