Weldon Pre-School

Inspection of Weldon Pre-School Village Hall, Bridge Street, Weldon, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 3HR

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children are happy and enjoy spending time at this welcoming and well-organised pre-school. Staff greet children warmly, and children settle quickly. They are eager to begin their day and excitedly seek out their friends. Staff build close relationships with children, and the connections with their key children are well embedded. This helps children to feel safe and secure. Staff use their knowledge of children's interests and development to plan learning. For example, staff build on children's current interest in construction by creating a pretend building site. Children concentrate well as they use blocks and planks to build houses.

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The provision is good

Children spend much of their time outside. Staff plan many opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. This includes providing a specific space for children to ride bicycles and scooters safely. Staff plan water activities to enhance children's small-muscle skills. Children learn to persist with difficult tasks, such as squeezing paint into water and carefully filling pots without spilling any. Children show a positive attitude to learning. They are eager to join in the new and exciting activities on offer.

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The provision is good

Children learn to behave well. Staff remind children of the pre-school rules, such as being kind to each other and sharing resources. The staff allow children to take risks, and children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, children build their awareness of slippery surfaces as they paint wooden planks with coloured water.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have developed a well-rounded curriculum that covers all areas of learning. Staff provide children with a wide range of well-resourced activities that challenge to children to help them to learn and know more. For example, staff encourage children to experiment with mixing colours to create colourful potions. However, staff are less confident in extending children's learning in mathematics. For example, they do not consistently introduce mathematical concepts during activities, such as discussing weight and measure when children are exploring with water. n Overall, staff promote children's communication and language well. They engage children in conversations during play and sing with them. This helps children to acquire the patterns and rhythm of spoken language. However, staff have not yet identified ways to further support children who speak English as an additional language to ensure that they make the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff prepare children well for their eventual move on to school. They take older children for weekly visits to the local school to meet with their teachers and explore their classrooms. Staff promote children's independence. Children

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need to do better?

11 June 2024 practice dressing themselves in school uniforms in the role-play area. They talk excitedly about going to school and develop a good understanding of what will be expected of them. n Parents are extremely positive in their feedback and say that their children are happy and confident to attend the pre-school. They praise the staff for the support they offer their children and for identifying gaps in their learning. Parents state that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are particularly well supported. Staff ensure that parents know who their child's key person is and keep them fully informed about their child's time at the pre-school. n Staff promote children's understanding of diversity beyond their immediate families. For instance, staff plan activities to celebrate festivals and cultural events with children throughout the year. They include traditions that are relevant to the children who attend the pre-school. This helps children to feel

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need to do better?

valued and helps them to learn to respect similarities and differences. Children also gain an understanding of their community as staff arrange regular visits from community police officers and take children on trips to the park and the local café. n Children learn to manage their personal care needs and understand the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They become increasingly independent through the embedded daily routines, such as mealtimes. For example, children are involved in setting out tables and chairs and pouring drinks in preparation for snack time. n The manager supports the staff's ongoing professional development. This includes providing a thorough induction for new staff and offering regular supervision meetings and opportunities for professional development. Staff comment that they feel supported by the manager and that their well-being is prioritised.

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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 enhance the teaching of mathematics to help children to consistently build on what they already know n develop staff's skills in supporting children who speak English as an additional language to better support their developing vocabulary.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 220054 Local authority North Northamptonshire Inspection number 10335401 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Weldon Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07761 657382 Date of previous inspection 14 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Weldon Pre-School registered in 2000 and is located in Corby, Northamptonshire. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. All staff hold early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The pre-school is open from 9am until midday on Monday and Thursday, and 9am until 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The pre-school provides funded 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 deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

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

11 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.

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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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