Woodford Community Pre-School

Inspection of Woodford Community Pre-School Methodist Church, Greenway Avenue, Plymouth PL7 4RR

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision requires improvement

Children arrive happily at the pre-school. Staff welcome children warmly and help them to settle into their day. Children enjoy familiar activities, such as playing with coloured water with staff. Some older children excitedly run around with their friends or snuggle in to each other in a cosy area to read a book. Children take pleasure in singing and dancing with staff at regular points through the day.

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The provision requires improvement

Staff recognise the need to give children opportunities to practise learning across all areas of the early years foundation stage. However, the curriculum is not ambitious enough for all children. Leaders do not always effectively convey to staff what and how they want children to learn over time. Staff are experienced and suitably qualified, but the quality of their interactions with children is inconsistent. At times, they talk loudly over their colleagues when they are working with large groups of children. Children find it difficult to hear and concentrate, for instance when they are listening to stories. Their individual learning and development needs are not always met.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is not challenging enough for all children. Leaders place an emphasis on providing activities they know children will enjoy rather than considering the skills and knowledge they want children to learn. The lack of clear communication between leaders and staff means they do not always share the same intent for the curriculum and individual activities. n The quality of interactions between staff and children is inconsistent. There are strengths, such as the teaching of vocabulary development in the toddler room. However, at times in the pre-school room, staff are unclear on what they want children to learn. Group sizes sometimes become too large and activities become less meaningful as there is no clear focus on learning. For instance, during painting activities, staff are unclear how to teach children to develop their skills. n Key persons know their children well. They talk confidently about children's

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need to do better?

starting points, progress and next steps. However, staff do not always work in the same room as their key children. While they share information about their children at staff meetings, this is not easily recalled by other members of staff. Consequently, there is not always enough support for children, especially those who are not confident, throughout the day. n There is an inconsistent approach to developing children's independence. Some staff encourage children to persevere with tasks, such as putting on or taking off their wellington boots. Other staff do things for children without being asked for help. Children are confused at the expectations of staff, and many are overly reliant on them. n Behaviour is generally good. Children usually listen well and are kind to each

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need to do better?

1 November 2023 other. However, activities are not always at the correct level for children's level of development, and they struggle to join in. For example, staff read stories which are too difficult for the youngest children to understand, and they are left to wander around the room on their own. n Leaders undertake regular staff supervisions. They have recently introduced an online system for staff training which they use well for some areas, such as safeguarding training. However, leaders do not always accurately assess the quality of staff's interactions with children. Coaching and mentoring are not tailored enough to the needs of individual staff to help them to improve the quality of their interactions with children. n Children feel safe and secure in the setting. Relationships between staff and children are nurturing and kind. Children frequently come to staff for reassurance and cuddles. Staff regularly praise the children for their efforts, for

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need to do better?

instance offering 'high fives'. n Parent partnerships are effective. Staff ensure they obtain essential information, such as children's medical information, on entry. They communicate well with parents about children's development through daily discussions in person and online learning journals.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff ensure the premises are safe and secure and that children are adequately supervised at all times. They teach children how to keep themselves safe, for instance by using the handrail when they walk down the stairs. Staff are quick to recognise potential hazards. For example, they swiftly step in to cut up food which poses a potential choking hazard in children's lunchboxes. Staff are able to quickly recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse. They know how to report any concerns about a child and understand the setting's whistle-blowing policy.

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Due date

develop the planning of the curriculum to ensure it is challenging and ambitious for all children 03/01/2024

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Due date

ensure staff's delivery of the curriculum effectively builds on what children already know 03/01/2024

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Due date

1 November 2023 improve support and coaching for staff to develop how they interact with children and to meet children's learning needs more consistently. 03/01/2024

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should:

n provide a consistent approach to helping children to become more independent and do more things for themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493636 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 10305645 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 46 Number of children on roll 127 Name of registered person Woodford Methodist Pre-School CIO

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reference number

Telephone number 01752 337335 Date of previous inspection 28 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Woodford Community Pre-School registered in 2015 and is located in Plymouth, Devon. The pre-school is open each weekday from 7.45am to 5.30pm, during term time only. It provides a breakfast and after-school club for the local primary school. There are 14 members of staff, 13 of whom work directly with children. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 2, nine hold level 3, including the manager, and three are unqualified. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 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 The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Trustees shared their views with the inspector and talked about how they support staff. n The special educational needs coordinators spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n Parents and grandparents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

1 November 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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