Cherry Blossom Pre-School

Inspection of Cherry Blossom Pre- School Cherry Tree Academy, Cobblers Lane, Pontefract WF8 2HN

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Staff create a calm, happy and sociable atmosphere, where children of all abilities and backgrounds have a wonderful time. Children are well cared for by staff, who are warm, nurturing and approachable. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Children show good levels of social confidence, for example they interact with unfamiliar adults happily and enthusiastically. Children have plenty of opportunities to make choices about their play. This supports their decision-making and independence skills effectively.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for all children and want them to flourish through good-quality learning experiences. Children play cooperatively with each other and respond well to the routines and boundaries in place. Staff demonstrate a gentle approach to behaviour management. Their reminders to children to use listening ears and 'kind hands' means children behave well. They receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements. Children thrive, and their self-esteem and confidence are high.

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The provision is good

Children are motivated to play and learn. They benefit from a wide variety of activities, which are tailored to their interests. Children make good progress from their starting points. They show good levels of concentration and are keen to try new challenges. For example, children persevere when using tweezers to pick up insects hidden in coloured rice.

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need to do better?

n The provider and manager are highly committed leaders, who aspire to achieve the very best for the children and their families. They share their enthusiasm with the staff team and support their development through regular supervision and appraisal meetings. However, the quality of some staff teaching and interactions with children are variable and, therefore, children's learning is not always promoted at the highest level. n Parents are very complimentary about the manager, staff and the service they provide. They say staff are kind, friendly and offer personalised care to their children. Parents feel involved in their children's learning, and they share relevant information with staff. Parents also praise the successful transition process for their children when they start at the pre-school, which includes a home visit. n Children develop good communication and language skills. Staff support children's early language development through fostering a love of books, songs

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need to do better?

and rhymes. Staff take every opportunity to extend language, introducing new words and engaging children in meaningful conversations. For example, when reading to the children, staff explain the meaning of the words cellar and

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need to do better?

23 October 2023 staircase. They then refer to these terms, asking the children questions to help them reflect and consolidate their understanding. The pre-school is taking part in the 'Twitch' programme to further support children's love of books and reading. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language are supported and begin to show positive attitudes towards learning. Staff recognise and identify concerns quickly and seek the support children and their families need. There is an effective key- person system in place and staff spend quality group time with their key children. However, at times staff do not focus on the learning intentions for children during some free choice activities. Therefore, the resources available do not offer the highest level of challenge or fully engage children. n Children are provided with ample opportunities to be physically active and have

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need to do better?

daily access to the well-resourced outdoor area. Some children are eager to demonstrate their skills in pedaling tricycles. Others use their construction skills to build a house. The manager demonstrates excellent teaching skills. She encourages children to work together, and problem solve as they build a den using a large tarpaulin and clips. Children are enthused by the manager and spend extended periods of time engaged in the activity. n Staff welfare is important. Management provide staff with a well-being afternoon away from pre-school. Additionally, they have five planned training days when the pre-school is closed. This enables staff to spend time together and expand their own professional development. Staff promote children's health and well- being in all activities and routines. Healthy food options are provided and children access drinking water throughout the day. Furthermore, they begin to

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need to do better?

understand the importance of oral hygiene.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider and management team follow robust procedures for assessing the suitability of staff to work with children. Staff complete regular safeguarding training to help keep their knowledge up to date. They are confident to talk about safeguarding issues, including how to identify possible signs of abuse. There are clear procedures for reporting any concerns about a child's welfare or concerns that arise about a colleague. Risk assessments are in place and regularly updated and reviewed. The manager deploys staff effectively. Children are supervised well indoors and when playing outside. There are clear procedures in place to respond to any emergency situations to help keep children safe.

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should:

23 October 2023 n focus even more on supporting staff in their professional development to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high standard across the staff team n ensure resources are carefully considered and match the learning intentions of some freely accessible activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2702811 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10306596 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Waterton Pre Schools

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reference number

Telephone number 01977704138 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Cherry Blossom Pre-School registered in 2022. It operates from Cherry Tree Academy. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two with level 5 and one with level 6. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

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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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to 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 a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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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

23 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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