Stanton Pre-School

Inspection of Stanton Pre-School Upthorpe Road, Stanton, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, Suffolk IP31 2AW

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are greeted by friendly staff who gather any information that they may need to know to support each child's day. Children are keen to be at pre-school and separate from their parents with ease. Staff know the children well and are responsive to their individual needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive individual, tailored support.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are well deployed and minimum adult-to-child ratios are maintained. Staff get down to the children's level, modelling how to use resources and extending children's knowledge and skills. They understand the importance of supporting children's emotional well-being. They build nurturing bonds with the children, who eagerly seek out the familiar staff to tell them their news and things of personal significance. Staff are always available for these positive interactions, which helps children to feel secure.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff take children's interests, as well as their ages and individual stages of development, into account as they plan learning experiences. Many of these are linked to themes and topics. There is a balance of focused learning, where children are taught key skills, and times for free play for children to explore and experiment within the learning environment. Children are learning to be kind, to share and to take turns. They understand how to behave because staff act as good role models. Children follow simple pre-school rules. Staff help children to remember how to behave as they embed these each day, reinforcing positive behaviour through praise and encouragement.

p.2

need to do better?

n The pre-school is well led. All staff are well supported. There is a focus on staff well-being and morale is high. Staff receive regular training opportunities, in- house and through an online training service and external training providers. Staff receive effective supervision and feedback to continuously improve. n Children are supported to be independent. Children know how to help themselves to a drink, remembering to keep hydrated. They understand about helping to tidy up. Children learn how to wipe their nose, use the toilet, and wash and dry their hands. They find their coat peg and have a go at putting their coat on. n Staff conduct daily risk assessments to ensure that the premises are safe and in a suitable condition. Children benefit from spending time outside each day. Staff teach children about safety and how to negotiate the steps and the slide. The children know that they need to wait for their turn when using large equipment

p.2

need to do better?

and how to test if a plank is stable enough to take their weight before they try to walk across it.

p.2

need to do better?

12 June 2024 n Staff support children to develop their communication and language skills. They provide commentary, pose simple questions and pause to give children time to respond. Staff introduce the children to many new words, such as 'magma' and 'mechanic', explaining what the words mean. Staff support children who are slower to speak. They repeat words and phrases clearly, supporting children's correct pronunciation. Children are given time to practise their speaking skills and to express their thoughts and ideas at group times. n Children listen as staff read stories. They learn that by looking at a spine of a book they can find out what the book is about. Children have a range of opportunities to practise mark making and pre-writing skills, including using their own 'doodle diaries'. Staff use the television solely for educational purposes. They use song and rhyme effectively to help children to learn to count in order

p.2

need to do better?

and to use simple addition and subtraction. Children's mathematical language is further extended as staff talk about which footprint is bigger and the patterns that different shoes make, when playing in the sandpit. n In recent times, the pre-school has changed its approach. As a result, they require parents to provide all food and drink for the children. However, the staff do not provide sufficient guidance or messages to ensure that all children have a healthy diet while at pre-school. In addition, staff do not ensure that all children receive clear and consistent messages that support healthy choices around food and drink. n Parents who were spoken to speak highly of the care and learning that their children receive. They can have daily discussions with staff, and they receive some information via the pre-school's social media account. Staff observe and assess children's progress. They are currently looking at ways to keep parents

p.3

need to do better?

better informed of their children's progress, and to involve parents more in their children's learning. However, this has not yet been implemented.

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 engage more closely with parents, to ensure that there is sufficient guidance and ensure that children receive clear and consistent messages that support healthy choices around food and drink n embed plans to improve ways that information is shared with all parents about their children's progress, and help parents to support and extend children's learning at home.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY539440 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10349050 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 35 Name of registered person Stanton Parents And Under Fives Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01379 650134 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Stanton Pre-School registered in 2016. The pre-school employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the manager who has a level 6 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 4pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 her evaluation of the pre-school. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed areas of the premises that children access. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed how the early years curriculum is delivered. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching, indoors and outdoors, and considered the impact this has on the children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector held a management meeting and sampled relevant documentation, including evidence of paediatric first-aid qualifications.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

12 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