Playmates Pre-School

Inspection of Playmates Pre-School The Institute Hall, Crawley Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 4ET

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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 enjoy their time at the pre-school. They are greeted warmly by staff who listen intently as children talk about what they have been doing at home. Children are very keen to experience the wide range of activities set out for them by the staff. They excitedly chat with the staff and the close bonds that they share are evident. Staff support children and families to settle in very well. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take their time settling their children into the pre- school. This approach supports children's emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a strong sense of independence in routines such as tidying up, putting their belongings away and collecting their own lunches. This independence is well supported by staff who gently encourage children to try new things and do things for themselves. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. They model respectful language, turn-taking and kindness to each other. As a result, children follow their example. They say 'please' and 'thank you' and are keen to help tidy away the toys that they have been playing with. Staff are very ambitious for children's learning and praise children for keeping on trying. Children take pride in their achievements and are keen to learn new things. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), progress well from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Management at the pre-school is very strong and there is a clear commitment to enhancing the lives of those children who are at risk of falling behind or children with SEND. Staff's well-being is effectively supported and they feel valued and listened to. The manager encourages staff to train further to develop their practice, which helps to continually raise the quality of teaching. Parents describe the manager as 'consistently going above and beyond' and comment that the pre-school is well managed. n Staff work alongside families and outside agencies to ensure that children are given targeted support. For example, staff regularly liaise with other professionals, such as teachers, speech and language therapists and the local authority. This enables all children who need support to be swiftly identified and to receive the help that they need in a timely manner. n Staff interact very well with the children. They sing songs, soothe and cuddle

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need to do better?

those children who become upset. Staff help children recognise and identify their emotions in a variety of ways, such as by using books, toys and discussions. This approach helps children to regulate the way they are feeling. n Staff plan the environments to support children's physical skills very well. Children competently climb and jump on apparatus. They use tools to scoop up sand and skilfully negotiate trikes around obstacles. Children thoroughly enjoy

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need to do better?

17 April 2024 their self-directed play in the outside environment. However, during these times, staff do not consistently recognise when children would benefit from intervention to extend their learning and enjoyment. For example, children are often left to play with their friends under staff supervision. Some staff do not take the opportunity to build on children's curiosities by redirecting their play to promote further thinking and problem-solving. n Staff use children's interests to plan enjoyable activities. For instance, children look at caterpillars and learn new words, such as 'flight' and 'cocoon'. Staff provide resources for children to create their own picture butterflies. They learn to mix colours and quickly know that 'white and red make pink' and 'red and yellow make orange'. Children take pride in their pictures, exclaiming, 'Look! Look at mine. Wow!' Staff praise children for good listening and participation.

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need to do better?

n Children's mathematical and literacy skills are supported well. There are endless opportunities to engage in simple mathematics and link sounds to letters throughout the environment. Children are encouraged to 'write' and independently choose from a library of books. However, staff sometimes interrupt children during story time to lead them away to get them ready to go home. Consequently, these children do not get the same experiences as other children. n Staff demonstrate a commitment to keeping children safe. They understand their obligations and the actions to take should they have concerns about the welfare of a child or are concerned about the behaviour of a colleague. Staff vigilantly supervise children in their play and while eating, to help minimise potential accidents. The pre-school premises are checked for hazards and are always secured.

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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 all staff to better recognise, and make more effective use of, spontaneous opportunities to extend and challenge children's learning during their chosen play n review and improve the organisation of activities and routines so that children's learning is not unnecessarily interrupted.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 155340 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10335283 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Playmates Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01403 258317 Date of previous inspection 11 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Playmates Pre-School registered in 1988. It operates from a community hall in Horsham, West Sussex. It is open each weekday from 8.50am to 2.50pm during term time. There are five members of staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 5, and four staff hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 provider 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 The manager and inspector spoke about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to 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. n The children spoke to the inspector during the inspection and the inspector took account of their views.

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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

17 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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