Springfields Pre-School Ltd

Inspection of Springfields Pre-School Ltd Terrapin Hut, Tudor School, Tudor Road, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 1NL

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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

Staff develop positive bonds with children and families, which help children to settle quickly on arrival. Children are busy and display high levels of curiosity and engagement throughout the session. They confidently explore the activities on offer, demonstrating a keen interest and concentration. Children develop good conversational skills and are keen to talk about their interests and experiences with staff. Staff provide activities that they know children will find engaging and fun. For instance, children fascinated with the seaside explore a large sand tray and examine real seashells. Staff teach children about hermit crabs, when they wonder if the shells belong to snails.

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The provision is good

Children exhibit positive behaviours and respond well to the clear reminders staff provide. Staff consistently model kind and polite behaviour and use positive statements to help children understand their expectations. For instance, staff remind children to use 'walking feet' indoors and praise their thoughtful gestures towards their friends. Children are helpful and learn to play cooperatively and share with others. They use their imagination to recreate familiar experiences. For example, children dress baby dolls and sit them in chairs before pretending to prepare food. They offer pretend cups of tea to staff and cuddle the baby dolls as they feed them a bottle.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager and her staff have reorganised the indoor environment and considered ways to promote children's understanding of behavioural expectations and created spaces to help children to focus. As a result, children behave well and the indoor areas are calm and well used throughout the day. n The provider, who is also the manager, has worked closely with staff to address actions from the last inspection. Together, they deliver a curriculum that supports children's learning and individual progress. Staff regularly observe children and record their achievements. This is shared with parents via an online application and staff use the information to identify children's next steps in learning and plan activities to promote these. Children respond positively to the resources and activities on offer, spending extended periods of time exploring and playing with them. However, at times, staff do not have a clear enough

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need to do better?

intent for spontaneous or extended activities to further support children's learning and expand their knowledge and skills. n Children enjoy sociable snack and mealtimes in the newly created dining area. They follow the routine of washing their hands, pouring drinks and serving themselves confidently. Children talk to their friends and staff, as well as helping others to use tongs to serve a range of healthy foods. They relish the

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need to do better?

13 October 2023 opportunity to peel fruit for themselves and remember to tidy their table and put away their crockery when they are finished. n Children have ample opportunities to strengthen their small-hand muscles and future writing skills. They delight in using markers to draw 'caterpillars' on a big whiteboard and concentrate as they make different marks to represent their legs and faces. Children use rolling pins to flatten play dough and make 'pizzas'. Staff talk to them about the toppings they could make, as well as what happens when different coloured doughs are mixed. Children pinch and squeeze smaller pieces of dough to make toppings and talk about their favourite things to eat. n Staff help children to develop a love of reading and books. They provide books indoors and outdoors to give children access, wherever they prefer to play. Children listen intently as staff read to them in an animated way. They enjoy

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need to do better?

snuggling up on the sofa or garden bench and often request another as staff finish a story. n Parents report how much their children enjoy attending and often ask if it is a 'nursery' day at the weekend. They appreciate the online updates about children's learning as well as the daily feedback from staff at collection time. n Children demonstrate a keen interest in the world around them and relish playing with space and jungle toys, as well as hunting for real minibeasts in the garden. They work hard to make extended runs for balls using guttering and talk to staff about the 'homes' they are making for worms, rabbits and ladybirds in the sandpit. However, staff sometimes do not extend children's understanding further or ask questions that promote their thinking skills and help children to make links in their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff know how to identify and record any concerns about children's welfare. They understand how to make referrals to the appropriate statutory safeguarding agencies for child protection concerns and any issues regarding the behaviour of an adult. Staff also understand their responsibilities in relation to the 'Prevent' duty. The manager updates staff knowledge during team meetings and ensures they regularly attend refresher training. When appointing new staff, the manager follows thorough recruitment processes to assure herself that staff are suitable.

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should:

n strengthen staff's understanding of curriculum intent to ensure teaching consistently focuses on the skills and knowledge they want children to attain n enhance staff's teaching skills to promote children's deeper understanding of

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should:

13 October 2023 concepts or topics and promote their thinking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY456088 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10262194 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Springfields Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01787 311320 Date of previous inspection 18 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Springfields Pre-school Ltd registered in 2012. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday, during school term time. Main sessions are from 8.30am to 11.30am and 11.50am to 2.50pm with a lunchtime session running in between. 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 took the inspector on a learning walk across all areas of the premises to explain how the early years provision and curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed the quality of interactions during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The manager completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of all persons working on the premises.

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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

13 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.

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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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