Springwood Preschool

Inspection of Springwood Preschool St. Albans Hall, 104 Copnor Road, Portsmouth PO3 5AL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and are welcomed by the caring and friendly staff. They show that they feel safe and emotionally secure. For example, children confidently move around the environment and enjoy cuddles with staff when needed.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations of children. They support them to form good friendships and develop a positive attitude to their learning. For instance, children enjoy pretend play in small groups, sharing real-life resources in the home corner. This helps them to build relationships with each other and act out their own ideas and experiences.

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The provision is good

Staff ensure that children who speak English as an additional language are fully included within the provision. They work with families to support the development of children's language skills in their home language as well as English. Staff share children's home languages and cultures with all children. For example, parents come into the setting and read stories in their native tongue for all children to listen to. This helps to develop children's sense of belonging as well as their language skills.

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The provision is good

Staff plan a wide range of activities to encourage children to be active and develop their physical skills. For instance, children have fun climbing on the climbing frame and enjoy taking part in music and movement activities. This helps children to make good progress in their physical development.

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need to do better?

n The provider, manager, and special educational needs coordinator provide good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They are quick to make referrals and secure the timely support that individual children need. For instance, they have developed a small space to provide children with a calm area for focused activities. Staff work alongside parents and other professionals to ensure that they are working towards shared goals. Children with SEND make strong progress from their individual starting points. n The provider and manager have a clear and ambitious curriculum in place. All staff understand the curriculum intent, and this is imbedded well in the pre- school room. However, the planning of the curriculum for the younger children is not yet as effective. For example, at times, activities do not support younger children's learning and development needs. This does not consistently support

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need to do better?

younger children to make good progress. n Overall, children behave well. They use good manners and learn how to share. Some staff give clear direction to support children's understanding of expectations. However, occasionally, staff are not consistent in their approach

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need to do better?

21 February 2024 with the older children. For example, when staff ask children to tidy up, they do not encourage them to do this. Furthermore, strategies for teaching children to wait and take turns are not always used effectively. For instance, the setting use sand timers to help children to know when it is their turn. However, these are not used consistently by all staff. This means that children do not fully understand what is expected of them. n Staff know their key children well and can discuss their interests, progress, and next steps in learning with confidence. They regularly share this information with parents. For example, staff provide ideas for activities and places to visit to support children's learning at home. Parents comment that they are extremely happy with the care and learning that their children receive from the supportive staff. n Staff support the development of children's communication and language skills

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need to do better?

well. They engage children in back-and-forth conversations throughout the day. For instance, staff ask children questions about the ingredients that they are using to make their dough and discuss how they have done it before. They speak clearly, introduce new words, and sensitively repeat any words that children mispronounce. Children enjoy looking at books, listening to stories, and joining in with familiar songs. They demonstrate their growing vocabulary as they confidently share their thoughts and ideas with each other and the staff. n Staff have positive relationships with the children. They show care and nurture during care routines, such as handwashing and going to the toilet. Staff ensure that children's voices are heard. For example, they ask children if they can change their nappy, and sing songs to the them to comfort and soothe them. n The provider and manager are passionate about what they do and work closely

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need to do better?

with the dedicated staff as a team. They are highly reflective of their practice. They discuss their strengths and are aware of areas that they want to improve. The provider and manager care about their staff and have strong systems of induction, training, and supervision meetings in place to ensure staff's continued professional development. Staff comment that they feel well supported and enjoy working at the setting.

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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 strengthen the implementation of the curriculum for the younger children, to provide them with activities that are more-precisely matched to their

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should:

21 February 2024 learning needs n support staff to be consistent in their behaviour management strategies, to build on children's understanding of behaviour expectations.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2738544 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10297581 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Springwood Preschool and Nursery LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 07434 978487 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Springwood Pre-school registered in 2023 and is one of two settings run by a private provider. The pre-school operates from St Albans Hall, in Portsmouth. The setting is open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting employs seven members of staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications to at least level 3.

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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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The special educational needs coordinator 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 a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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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