West Dean Pre-School Nursery

Inspection of West Dean Pre-School Nursery West Dean C of E Primary School, West Dean, CHICHESTER, West Sussex PO18 0RJ

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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 arrive happy and settle quickly at pre-school. Staff greet them warmly and introduce exciting songs and rhymes. Children join in with delight. They laugh and sing together. Staff encourage children to learn new actions and model them consistently. Children feel safe and secure with the friendly and attentive staff. They know how to seek support if they simply need a cuddle for reassurance.

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The provision is good

The manager has a clear curriculum in place and knows what she wants children to learn. She plans carefully to ensure children have a rich set of experiences that teach them about the world they live in. Staff take children on interesting trips. They visit destinations such as local farms and milking parlours. Children have meaningful learning opportunities that extend their knowledge and understanding.

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The provision is good

Staff involve children in exciting imaginative play. They build on children's previous experiences and encourage them to explore creatively. For example, staff provide children with a broad range of resources to build a puppet theatre. Children gladly begin matching colours and adding materials to their construction. After completing this task, children make up stories for their friends to watch. Children have highly positive attitudes to learning. They remain engaged in activities for long periods.

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need to do better?

n Staff know how to build on young children's communication skills. They talk with children about what they have been doing with their families. Staff introduce younger children to new language, such as 'telescope'. Children joyfully play pretend captains together. Children develop strong conversation skills. n Children show a keen interest in books and printed material. Staff utilise frequent opportunities to sit and read with children in small groups. Staff read to children with enthusiasm and ask them questions about what is happening. This develops children's early literacy skills and supports them to develop a love of reading. n Staff support children to develop excellent physical skills. They set-up interesting obstacle courses, with the intention of providing children with new language that supports their understanding of what they are doing. Children climb, jump and balance with joy. n Overall, children behave well. They have high levels of respect for one another

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need to do better?

and follow a 'Pre-school Agreement' created by staff and children together. However, at times, staff do not remind children of important expectations. For example, when children get lots of toys out, they are not reminded to tidy them away. This does not consistently build on children's understanding of the rules and expectations of their behaviour. n Staff discuss how they have recently accessed training to enhance their

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need to do better?

27 February 2024 implementation of maths. This is noticeable throughout their practice. They work closely with children to build on their mathematics skills. For example, when children offer a play dough birthday cake to their friend, they remove a candle to make sure there is only three. Staff carefully recap this learning and provide children with the mathematical language for their calculation. Children develop a strong understanding of numbers and counting. n Parents speak highly of the pre-school. They know how to access information about their child's activities. However, staff do not consistently ensure that parents receive precise information about the next steps in their child's learning. This means parents cannot effectively build on this learning at home. n Children gain meaningful knowledge from their activities. When they draw together on the chalk board, staff create pictures of a sunshine, clouds and a

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need to do better?

rainbow. They encourage young children to think for themselves and consider what happens when the sun is out and it rains. Children share their knowledge and talk about seeing a rainbow in the sky. n The manager has a clear and ambitious vision for the pre-school. She provides staff with meaningful supervision sessions. The manager has plans in place to support and mentor staff. This is to ensure that professional development is ongoing and consistent. Staff engage with training and confidently strengthen their practice. n Staff carry out children's care routines sensitively and respectfully. They ask children if they can change their nappy and happily chat or sing with them throughout. Children's emotional security is supported well.

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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 provide children with consistent messages that support their understanding of behaviour expectations n deliver clear information to parents about the next steps in children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113822 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10317238 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 18 Number of children on roll 18 Name of registered person West Dean Preschool

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reference number

Telephone number 01243 811423 Date of previous inspection 8 May 2018

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Information about this early years setting

West Dean Pre-School Nursery registered in 2001. It is open each weekday from 9.05am to 2.30pm, during term time. There are three members of staff. Two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager has qualified teacher status. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting 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

27 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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