Impstone Preschool

Inspection of Impstone Preschool Pamber Heath Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath Road, Pamber Heath, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 3TQ

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 arrive happy at this welcoming pre-school. They leave their parents with ease and are greeted by enthusiastic and compassionate staff. Children are excited and eager to start their day. Staff are committed to ensuring that children settle quickly and develop a real sense of belonging. Children readily engage in activities and keenly talk to staff. For instance, as part of their restaurant role play, they write down staff's food orders and talk passionately about their own favourite foods. Children show good social skills, particularly with new people, such as inviting the inspector to join in their play. They are respectful and follow routines well with the expert guidance of staff. It is evident that children establish trusted bonds with staff.

p.2

The provision is good

Children delight in their time outdoors. Staff support them well to manage their self-care skills independently, such as putting on their wellington boots before going into the garden. Children run, climb and balance on the large equipment, showing good body control. Older children confidently try out their own ideas when they come across a problem. For example, they dig mud with a large spoon in a small area but find a smaller spoon is more effective. Staff work hard to help children gain the knowledge and skills they need for their eventual move to school.

p.2

need to do better?

n The experienced manager and staff design an ambitious and sequenced curriculum. For example, they positively promote children's love for books. Staff use story props to bring a story to life and share the messages that arise from the storyline. This helps children who speak English as an additional language, and those with speech delay understand and make connections between real objects and pictures in the book. In addition, staff use books effectively that celebrate cultural differences and help children learn more about the diverse world they live in. n The manager and the staff proudly talk about providing children with real-life experiences that teach them about their local community. For instance, they organise weekly visits to meet the elderly at a nearby care home. Children speak confidently to the residents and play games with them. In this way, children build connections and help promote the well-being of the residents and

p.2

need to do better?

themselves. n Staff promote the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. For example, they encourage children to engage in daily exercise sessions before lunchtime. In this way, children strengthen different parts of their body and increase their stamina. Staff provide children with an opportunity to cool down at the end and teach them to stretch out their muscles. Children participate in weekly cookery activities and talk about healthy food choices. They learn that milk comes from

p.2

need to do better?

3 October 2023 cows and is good for their teeth. Staff also help children remember the sequence for washing their hands by singing a song. This means that children develop an understanding of why good health routines are important. n Children show high levels of curiosity and a love for learning new things. They enjoy the freedom to independently explore and investigate, such as when staff encourage them to find different ways to jump safely from large equipment in the garden. However, staff do not always give all children an opportunity to be able to recall, practise and extend their own learning in independent play. n Staff speak highly of the manager and feel supported through her supervision and daily communication. They feel valued and part of a cohesive team. The manager observes staff practice and offers constructive feedback on ways to improve their teaching. She encourages continuous professional development.

p.2

need to do better?

However, the manager does not always focus precisely enough on improving individual staff's existing skills and practice. For instance, some staff do not identify opportunities when they can extend children's knowledge during their play. n Parents are full of praise for the manager and the staff team. They are appreciative of the staff's dedication to create a loving environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to attend. Parents report that they are fully informed of their children's development and next steps in learning through an online application and daily verbal feedback. They say their children are progressing well and show high levels of confidence when speaking to others.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and the staff understand their responsibilities to protect children from abuse. They carry out daily risk assessments to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments are safe and secure. Staff know the potential signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm, including exposure to extremist views and behaviours. They are aware of the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. Staff understand the process to report any concerns about the conduct of colleagues. The manager and a trained committee member follow robust recruitment processes to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.3

should:

n support staff to more consistently recognise when to allow children time to practise new skills in independent play n focus professional development more precisely to further strengthen staff's teaching skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 507838 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10308097 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Impstone Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07733 898914 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Impstone Preschool operates from Pamber Heath Memorial Hall in Tadley, Hampshire. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3 and two at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term-time only. Sessions are from from 9am to 2.45pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.4

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 the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager discussed what she wants children to learn, and the inspector observed its implementation during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Parents shared their verbal and written views about the education and care their children receive at the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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

3 October 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