Two Mile Ash Pre-School

Inspection of Two Mile Ash Pre- School Two Mile Ash Community Centre, The High Street, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes MK8 8LH

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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 receive a warm and friendly welcome from staff. Children who have been at pre-school for a while enter the building happily and excitedly, keen to begin their day. Staff work closely with parents to help children new to the pre-school settle and feel secure. For example, key staff visit children at home to get to know them before they begin coming to pre-school. Parents comment on how this helped their children with the new routine because faces were already familiar to them.

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The provision is good

Staff want children to learn lots, and to enjoy that learning, during their time with them. Children benefit from a curriculum that focuses well on what they most need to learn next. Staff ensure that there are daily opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Staff speak clearly to children. They talk to children about what they are doing. This helps children make the links between the words that they hear and the things they see and do. This all helps build children's vocabulary and develop their confidence to use words to make their needs and views known. Staff plan activities that teach children about sharing and turn-taking. Children learn from these the language and skills they need to behave well and consider the needs of others.

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need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager has worked very hard to address any weaknesses. She has embraced the opportunities to work with other professionals to develop her skills and confidence. She has led staff in a successful programme of improving the curriculum so there is a much better focus on the skills and knowledge children most need to learn. n Staff plan well for children who speak English as an additional language. Staff confidently introduce key words in English. They learn and use familiar phases in children's home language. Parents are invited for stay-and-play sessions, which gives children further opportunities to hear their home languages in the new surroundings of pre-school. This all helps children's overall language development as well helping them feel welcome. n Staff work highly effectively with parents to find out what children know and can do when they start pre-school. This ensures that staff can swiftly begin to put in

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need to do better?

place any additional support children may need to meet their full potential. n During adult-led activities, staff carefully show children how to use resources, which helps children focus as well as develop new skills. However, staff are not as consistent at doing this when they join in children's self-chosen play. This impacts on children's ability to get the most out of these learning opportunities. n Children develop an interest in books. Staff plan well so that children become familiar with well-known stories. Children have lots of opportunity to listen to the same stories regularly. This helps them learn how stories are structured and

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need to do better?

31 October 2023 grow in confidence to retell stories in their own words. Staff encourage parents to read to their children at home and offer a lending library to families. n Staff fully embrace the opportunities that come from looking after children from a wide range of different cultural backgrounds. Staff mark special days in children's lives with songs, dances and stories. Children have lots of opportunities to learn more about their own, and other children's, cultures. This helps all children gain a positive view of the diverse society in which they live. n Overall, staff organise the days well. Children have time to follow their interests and become curious learners. However, staff do not always manage some transition times effectively. For example, some children are not aware when it is time to come together as a group because staff do not explain to everyone what is going to happen next. This means that some children cannot join in promptly

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need to do better?

and fully engage at these times. n Parents are full of praise for the manager and staff. Parents comment on the improvements they have seen, including to the quality and usefulness of the information shared with them about their children's time at pre-school. They comment on how useful this is to help their children continue to learn at home. n Those with oversight for the quality of the provision have developed strong partnerships with the manager. Staff feel valued and appreciated. They also feel better equipped to do their job well because of the guidance, encouragement and mentoring they receive from the manager. The impact of this effective leadership is seen in the good-quality teaching and care staff give to children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager ensures that all staff maintain thorough and accurate safeguarding knowledge. All staff complete regular safeguarding training and have regular opportunities to reflect on, and discuss, what they have learned. Staff confidently talk about the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm. They know who to share any such concerns with, and the importance of doing so promptly, to keep children safe. The manager follows effective recruitment procedures to ensure the suitability of those employed to work with children. Staff ensure that the premises are safe and secure and supervise children closely at all times.

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should:

n help children learn to use resources with care and purpose so they can make the most of the learning experiences on offer n improve the organisation of times between some activities so children understand what is going to happen next and can join in confidently.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2663524 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10266320 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Two Mile Ash Preschool

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reference number

Telephone number 01908968660 Date of previous inspection 10 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Two Mile Ash Pre-School re-registered in 2022 and operates from the community centre in Two Mile Ash. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The pre- school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views and the inspector took these into account. n The inspector held meetings with the manager and representatives of the provider to find out about the leadership and management of the setting.

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Inspection activities

31 October 2023 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

31 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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