Springfield Bees Preschool

Inspection of Springfield Bees Preschool Perryfields Community Hall, Springfield, CHELMSFORD CM1 7PP

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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The provision is outstanding

Children and their families are warmly welcomed into this child friendly, exciting and inspiring environment. The staff team meticulously plans and delivers a challenging curriculum. Superb support and skilful interactions mean all children attending flourish and make rapid progress. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The professional management team and the dedicated manager have created a wonderful learning environment for the children. Children are consistently the priority and are the centre of every decision made. Therefore, children excitedly arrive and are keen and eager to learn and investigate the activities on offer, leaving their parents with ease.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are happy, nurturing and very attentive. Children quickly become absorbed in activities and engage staff in their games. They asks lots of questions and lead their own learning, skilfully supported by the staff. Children's imaginations and creativity are supported as they decide they need a hospital. The role-play area is quickly transformed to provide the resources they need. Superb conversations take place as they bandage their friends and prescribe medication. They write prescriptions using writing materials that are readily available throughout the pre- school.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff create an exciting dedicated outdoor environment within the school grounds. They encourage children to prepare themselves for outdoor play, and children competently and independently put their coats on with enthusiasm. Children understand how to stay safe when walking to the garden. Children have formed trusting and secure relationships. An effective key-person system is in place, and staff have extremely high expectations of children's behaviour, which is exemplary. Children are taught the skills they need to be independent learners effectively. Even the youngest children delight in making choices at snack time. They make decisions for themselves and competently use knives to make their sandwich and peel and chop fruits, skilfully supported by staff.

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need to do better?

n The manager ensures that the curriculum is meticulously planned and securely embedded across all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. The team follows the children's interests and builds effectively on what they already know while promoting an inclusive environment. Activities are challenging and differentiated to ensure learning for all participating. This means all children, including those with SEND, achieve the best possible outcomes and are well prepared for success in their future learning. n The management team is exceptionally strong and effective. The manager is extremely passionate and motivated about her role. Her enthusiasm is infectious,

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need to do better?

26 January 2024 and all members of staff share her drive to provide children with a high standard of care and education. They work collaboratively and have a clear vision of what they want to achieve to improve outcomes for children attending. n Superb opportunities are in place to support staff to continue their own professional development in order to further enhance and maintain the outstanding care that children receive. All speak positively about their roles and genuinely enjoy their time at work. The management team acts as an excellent role model and leads by example. The manager values her team, and time is spent to ensure that the well-being of her staff is maintained. n Parents speak highly of all aspects of the 'homely and welcoming' pre-school. They comment on the superb support they receive as a family. They say that communication is excellent and that they are fully informed, involved and

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need to do better?

supported in their children's development. They appreciate the home learning bags and lending library and value the time staff take in getting to know their children. n Children thoroughly enjoy group story time and singing activities. Toddlers demonstrate great excitement as they choose props from 'the box'. They are very familiar with the routine and are well supported to join in with the interactive session. They listen with intent and follow instructions well. All children demonstrate a wide and varied vocabulary. Children make rapid progress in their speech and language. n Children's mathematical development is extremely well supported through all activities. Skilled staff build on children's learning well, and children relish the challenges offered. They are keen to learn new things. For example, children show immense interest in discovering what floats or sinks in water. They make predictions and use words such as 'hollow' to describe why some objects float.

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need to do better?

Children learn to negotiate with one another as they work in small groups. n Children's behaviour is very good, and even the youngest children show great kindness to their friends. For example, they offer them comforters and cuddles when they feel sad. Priority is given to their emotional well-being. They learn to regulate their behaviour and feelings through focused activities, conversations and resources available to help them understand the consequences of their actions. Staff are good role models. They are calm and reassuring. They listen to children and speak respectfully to them.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY430190 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10312405 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 56 Number of children on roll 73 Name of registered person Springfield Bees Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 01245 264110 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Springfield Bees Preschool registered in 2012. It is managed by a committee. The pre-school employs 13 members of staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, during the school term. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two- three- and four-year-old children.

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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 pre-school. n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what the team wants the children to learn. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n Parents provided the inspectors with written and verbal feedback. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager. The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including the safeguarding procedures and evidence of the suitability of staff members.

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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

26 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.

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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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