Saltdean Preschool

Inspection of Saltdean Preschool St Nicholas Church Hall, Saltdean Vale,Saltdean, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 8HA

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are warmly greeted by staff as they eagerly arrive to start their day. Staff offer a broad and well-balanced curriculum, that is ambitious for all children. They carefully plan an array of purposeful activities and play experiences that support children's individual learning. These are based on children's interests as well as their development. For instance, children enjoy using their imagination to make their own pancakes from play dough. Staff extend this by inviting children to work together to make real pancakes. Children delight in being able to practise flipping their home-made pancakes safely. These opportunities mean children are quick to immerse themselves into activities and sustain interest in their play. This supports children to make good progress in their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff focus on supporting children's emotional well-being. They build close and nurturing bonds with the children who confidently seek out staff for play, reassurance, and praise. Staff are responsive to children's needs and wants. This helps children to feel safe and valued. Staff consistently model high expectations of children. In turn, children know what is expected of them and treat each other with respect and kindness. They invite each other to join their play confidently making their own games. Staff consistently support children to resolve any minor conflicts that may arise. They reinforce positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. This contributes positively towards children's well-being and the good behaviour.

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need to do better?

n The passionate manager, alongside her dedicated team, plan meaningful and appropriately challenging learning experiences for all children. They provide children with opportunities to develop their skills in all seven areas of learning. Staff know the children well and plan for their individual next steps, enabling them to continually strengthen their knowledge. Staff know what skills children have already learned, and what they want to teach them next. This sets children up for future success n Staff well-being and teamwork is a priority. They receive regular and effective staff supervision sessions. This supports their ongoing personal effectiveness in their roles. Staff have opportunities to access a variety of training. This builds on their knowledge even further and positively impacts children's learning. For instance, staff access specific training to further support children's emotional well-being, with an emphasis on feelings. Training is cascaded to the team, and

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need to do better?

new ideas to support children's emotions are interwoven into daily practice. This supports children to begin to understand their own and others' emotions. n Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children's communication and

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need to do better?

21 February 2024 language skills. They know these underpin all other areas of learning. Staff successfully narrate children's play, use repetition, and hold purposeful back and forth conversations with children. Staff introduce new words such as 'desert' and 'recipe'. This helps children to broaden their ever-growing vocabulary. Furthermore, staff read stories enthusiastically as children listen intently. This supports children's early literacy development. However, on occasion, some staff do not provide children with the time they need to respond to questions. This does not always support children to develop their own thinking skills. n Staff consistently support children's growing independence. For instance, children eagerly find their own pegs as they arrive and undress from their outdoor clothing. Staff give gentle reminders to help children to understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, as children get comfortable in the reading

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need to do better?

area during play, staff remind them to move large cushions away from the wall. They explain this this could lead to them bumping their heads. However, staff do not plan opportunities to help children learn about online safety when accessing devices at home. This does not fully support their understanding of how to keep themselves safe when accessing the internet. n The manager and staff work very well with parents and other professionals. They have good knowledge of local referral processes and ensure children receive timely support when needed. Staff consistently use strategies from other professionals to aid children's development. This supports children who have speech delay and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make good progress alongside their friends. n All staff recognise the importance of building successful partnerships with parents. Parents speak highly of the care and learning their children receive.

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need to do better?

They particularly value the staff's nurturing approach and report their children are happy and excited to attend. Staff communicate regularly with parents and keep them well informed of their children's development.

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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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should:

n support staff to consistently recognise when children need more time to explore and develop ideas for themselves to challenge their thinking skills n enhance the curriculum to include opportunities for supporting children's understanding of online safety.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 130769 Local authority Brighton and Hove Inspection number 10312314 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 30 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Saltdean Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07938970623 Date of previous inspection 26 April 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Saltdean Preschool registered in 1994. It is located in Saltdean, East Sussex. The pre-school is open each weekday, during term time. It operates Monday to Wednesday 9am to 3pm, and Thursday and Friday 9am to 1pm. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. There are seven staff of which five hold an appropriate early years qualification.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the pre-school and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the pre-school. n The manager, and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out joint observations of children taking part in a planned activity. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector.

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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

21 February 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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