Castle Pre-School Ltd

Inspection of Castle Pre-School Ltd The Community Building, Court Lane Junior School, Hilary Avenue, Cosham, PORTSMOUTH PO6 2PP

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children happily come into the setting and quickly settle. They have strong bonds with staff and seek reassurance from them as and when needed. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They have created the rules of the setting with the children's input. For example, they have agreed that they will use their 'listening ears' and follow instructions. Children remember these rules as they confidently tidy up at the end of the session.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff develop children's love of books and read stories to children regularly. Children eagerly shout out familiar phrases they know from the story as the adults read to them. For example, they call out, ' It was just right', as they listen to the story of 'Goldilocks and The Three Bears'.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff develop children's physical skills in a range of ways. For example, children balance on blocks in the garden to develop their large-muscle skills. Staff provide activities, such as printing with teddy bear shaped cutters and fishing for magnetic fish, to develop their small-muscle skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children learn about oral hygiene, as staff teach them about the importance of cleaning their teeth. Children enjoy practising brushing away the 'plaque' on pictures of teeth. Staff help them to understand how to brush their own teeth to keep them clean.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the manager has created a curriculum that prepares children for the next stage in their learning. The primary focus is on ensuring that children are excited to learn and curious about the world around them. This helps all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who speak English as an additional language, to make good progress in their learning and development. n The manager uses supervision meetings with staff effectively to develop the quality of staff's practice. She provides support for staff who wish to undertake further qualifications and prioritises staff's well-being. For example, staff have started new qualifications since the last inspection to develop their skills and knowledge further. They have found this highly beneficial at improving their practice and confidently implement ideas they have learned. This has improved

p.2

need to do better?

the quality of teaching within the setting. n Staff encourage children to share their experiences with each other as they learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and their friends. For example, children excitedly discuss the films they watched over Christmas as they debate whether they are Christmas films or not. This helps children to learn

p.2

need to do better?

3 January 2024 and respect that sometimes they have differing views from their peers. n Overall, children understand what is expected of their behaviour. However, at times, when children do have minor conflicts, such as over a toy, staff step in automatically and solve the conflict for the children. As a result, children do not consistently learn how to do this independently. n Staff are keen to develop children's communication and language skills. They model vocabulary and introduce children to new language, such as 'reflection' and 'braces'. However, at times, staff interrupt children too frequently as they are playing, for instance by asking lots of questions. As a result, children become disengaged and move away. n Staff act as advocates for children, particularly those with SEND. They help to ensure that children are receiving the support they need from other professionals. Staff implement different ways of supporting children with SEND

p.2

need to do better?

through a variety of small-group activities. These activities help to develop children's attention span. n Staff ensure that additional funding is spent appropriately to further support children's learning and development. For example, funding is used to help fund additional staff to enable them to work on a one-to-one basis with those who may need it. This enables staff to provide the interventions children may need. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school and particularly of the kind and caring staff. Staff work in partnership with parents to continue to support children's learning at home. For example, staff share home-learning ideas with parents through regular posts on their online journal. This supports the continuity of children's learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n develop staff's understanding of how to help children resolve conflicts n support staff to recognise when to allow children to continue with their play without frequent interruption.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY378932 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10282961 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Castle pre-school ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07724110966 Date of previous inspection 23 February 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Castle Pre-School registered in 2001. It is located in Cosham, Portsmouth. The pre- school is open from 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre- school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two-, three- and four-years old. There are four staff employed to work with the children, of whom three hold a relevant early years qualification at level 2 or above.

p.4

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 explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during the learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with staff during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector sampled relevant documents and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff. n Parents shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day.

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 January 2024 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