Tugboats Preschool

Inspection of Tugboats Preschool St. Mary The Virgin Church, Mortlake High Street, London, Surrey SW14 8JA

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision requires improvement

The manager and staff have worked hard to improve practice since the last inspection. The curriculum is designed to fit the needs of the children and ensure progress. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are happy and settled. They select from a range of appealing activities, which reflect their interest and stage of development. Staff ensure the room is set to allow free movement for the children, allowing them to pick and choose as they wish. As a result, children behave well. However, staff do not consistently deploy themselves effectively or organise routines to support children's learning and development.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Staff teach children to be considerate of one another and praise them for using manners. Staff support children to take turns by playing snakes and ladders and reminding them of the rules. Children enjoy mathematics as they count along with staff as they move along the board. They learn number recognition and are asked which is bigger and smaller. This helps with school readiness.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children follow cues from staff indicating what happens next, for example the music finishes playing in the morning signifying circle time. Staff engage children by talking to them and asking questions. Children offer answers but are moved along too quickly, not allowing sufficient time to think and respond. Staff do not always show awareness of realistic expectations.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children show positive attitudes to their learning. They are keen to engage in activities and play alongside each other. Young children show concentration pouring water into vessels. They choose different sizes and shapes, and watch as the water overflows. Other children chat as they put small toy animals in boats and take them for a ride in the water. Staff observe, but stand back and allow children to play and experiment. They ensure that the area is safe for the children play in, such as, by consistently mopping up spills of water. n Staff encourage children to be independent by providing appropriate equipment and opportunities. For example, at snack time, they encourage children to pour their own drinks from small jugs. Children help themselves to a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables from a low-level trolley. Staff have designed a snack menu to suit the tastes of the children and encourage them to enjoy a wider range of

p.2

need to do better?

food. This helps children to eat healthily and have positive attitudes around food. Children clear their plates and tip away unwanted liquids. n Despite having no outside space, children have access to the outdoors every day. Staff take children to local parks to enjoy fresh air and opportunities for physical development. Children run and climb, they use balance and

p.2

need to do better?

6 June 2024 coordination, walking around the playground's spinning circle. However, staff do not always remember to remind children of their expectations and how to keep themselves safe. n Staff know children well. They regularly observe their key children and use this to inform what their next steps in learning may be. Staff share this information with parents to create a joint approach and consistency for children. Parents report good communication and support. Staff engage with outside agencies to help continually improve practice. n Staff are warm and children are comfortable to instigate affection, knowing it will be reciprocated. Staff consistently chat to children and make good use of introducing new vocabulary. Good relationships are evident. However, staff sometimes speak too quickly and do not give children thinking time. This means that children cannot always process information or understand what is being

p.2

need to do better?

said, especially so with children who speak English as an additional language. n The manager is making every effort to address areas of weakness. She uses regular team meetings to review all areas of practice. Staff have termly supervision sessions, where targets are set and discussed. They choose from a variety of courses to help with their professional development. Staff enjoy positive relationships and focus on working as a team. n Since the last inspection, staff have reviewed routines. However, although efforts are being made, they have not considered the age and stage of children. For instance, they consistently stop children and make them wait. For example, they ask children to queue to wash hands one at a time, and then queue again and wait to come back into the room. This means that children become bored and restless, and it interrupts their play and opportunities for learning and development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support children's needs more closely to help learning and development more effectively n support staff to provide high-quality interactions and sufficient thinking time for children to understand and respond n review routines to keep children engaged in learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2522383 Local authority Richmond Upon Thames Inspection number 10332067 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 11 Name of registered person Tugboats Preschool Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07950 926896 Date of previous inspection 15 January 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Tugboats Preschool registered in 2019. It is situated in Mortlake, in the London Borough of Richmond. The pre-school operates Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm, during term time. There are three staff working with children. All staff have a childcare qualification at level 3. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided across the pre-school, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The manager and staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of snack time with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector some documents regarding the suitability of staff.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

6 June 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6