First Class Preschool

Inspection of First Class Preschool First Class Pre School, Houldsworth Valley Primary Academy, Rowley Drive, Newmarket CB8 0PU

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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 are happy and secure in this welcoming pre-school. They come in readily, leaving their parents at the door to go and access the interesting and inviting activities. Children excitedly meet up with their friends and initiate interactions and games with each other. They play harmoniously together, for example as they independently organise a game of hide and seek. Staff are good at recognising when children need support and when to step back and allow children to play without interruption. Children understand the consistent ground rules and learn to share and take turns. They enthusiastically monitor the sand timer and wait patiently for their turn to play on the swings.

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The provision is good

Children are respectful to each other and to adults. They enjoy having visitors to the pre-school. Children confidently initiate conversations with the inspector and show her what they are doing. Staff support children's natural instincts to discover and explore. They create an environment that invites and encourages children to play and learn. Staff pay attention to planning for all areas of learning, both indoors and outside. This helps to ensure that those children who learn best from being outdoors can do so. Children develop the key skills needed to be ready for the next stage in their learning, such as starting school. They are confident and independent.

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need to do better?

n Staff talk confidently about where children are in their learning and development. Children benefit from a sequenced curriculum that is designed to meet their individual needs. Staff check children's understanding and build on what they already know and can do. n Staff are exceptionally caring towards the children. They ensure that inclusion is at the heart of everything that is done in this pre-school. Staff place a high importance on identifying and planning for children's individual needs, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This helps to ensure that all children make good progress. n Staff provide a good quality of teaching overall, and they support children well as they play and learn. However, children become restless and quickly lose interest in routine whole-group activities. Staff do not organise these well enough to support children to listen and concentrate.

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need to do better?

n Children have a positive attitude to learning. They confidently choose what they want to play with and readily lead their own play. Staff are led by what children want to do. However, children are not always given notice of when activities need to change. They are not always able to complete activities to their satisfaction. n Staff support children's speech and language development effectively, including

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need to do better?

16 April 2024 children who speak English as an additional language. They engage children in conversation and use signing to help support children's developing vocabulary. Staff promote mathematical language, such as size and shape. n Staff implement effective care practices. They promote children's confidence, resilience and independence. Children feel safe. Staff help them learn to take managed risks, for example when they are learning to use the climbing frame and slide. The premises are secure to prevent children from leaving unsupervised. n Children learn about the importance of good hygiene routines. They are encouraged to manage their own personal hygiene needs. Children are incredibly independent, pouring their own drinks and cutting their own fruit at snack. They readily wash their own crockery when they have finished eating. n Children are helped to learn about life in modern Britain. Staff teach children

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need to do better?

about their similarities and differences. They help children learn about their own customs and festivals as well as those of others. Children are developing an appreciation and understanding of diversity. n Staff are committed to working together with parents and encourage them to remain involved in their children's learning. Parents and carers hold staff in very high regard, describing staff as 'amazing, kind, nurturing and fun'. They are particularly grateful for the unwavering support that they receive from staff in times of crisis. n The provider works with staff to reflect on activities and their daily practice. They are committed to the continuous improvement of the setting. Staff are enthusiastic and motivated. They work very well as a team to meet children's individual care and learning needs. n The provider implements an effective programme of supervision and appraisal for all staff to manage their performance and foster a culture of mutual support.

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need to do better?

She supports the emotional well-being of staff effectively. Staff are encouraged in their professional development, to bring about further improvements in practice.

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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 review the organisation of whole-group activities to ensure that children continue to enjoy a high standard of teaching and learning at all times n support children in completing their self-chosen tasks, giving them timely

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should:

16 April 2024 reminders of when the activity needs to change.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2660103 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10333078 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 32 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Hobbs, Alison

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reference number

Telephone number 01638 663123 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

First Class Preschool registered in 2021. There are six members of childcare staff, including the owner, who work with the children. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3.30pm. Children can attend for a variety of sessions within the day. The pre-school receives funding to provide free 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 provider. n The provider took the inspector on a tour of the pre-school to help the inspector understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection and completed a joint observation with the provider. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and also discussed self- evaluation. n The provider showed the inspector relevant documentation, and the inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector, both through

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Inspection activities

face-to-face discussions and written testimonials. n Children chatted to the inspector during the inspection.

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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

16 April 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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