Watlington Preschool

Inspection of Watlington Preschool 22 Rectory Lane, Watlington, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE33 0HU

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 thoroughly enjoy their time in this welcoming pre-school. They quickly busy themselves as they confidently engage in play. Staff ensure resources are accessible to enable children to choose for themselves. This helps to promote children's independence. Children become engrossed in exploratory play. Staff remain close by to provide support and encouragement. Staff interact well with children and offer prompts to extend their play. For example, while children make cakes in the mud kitchen, staff encourage them to search the garden for other ingredients, such as petals, shells and sticks.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff provide children with lots of opportunities to play and learn in the outdoor area. Children learn to take risks as they navigate the balance beams and climbing frames. They enjoy lots of physical play that develops their large motor skills, such as running and digging. Children learn to move in different ways as they enthusiastically join staff for a music walk. They dance and sing along as they play their instruments.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have positive attitudes to learning and engage well in activities. Staff provide a stimulating learning environment that offers children first-hand experiences. For instance, children plant, harvest and cook healthy meals from the vegetable patch. Children behave well and they understand what staff expect of them. They use good manners, such as 'please' and 'thank you', and receive praise from staff for kind behaviour.

p.2

need to do better?

n All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress. The manager has a clear vision of what she wants children to learn while at the pre-school. The manager and staff have developed a broad and balanced curriculum. They understand what they want children to learn in preparation for their move to school. n The manager and staff support children's positive behaviour particularly well. They act as good role models and provide explanations to help children understand turn-taking. Staff share stories with children that lead to discussions about feelings and behaviour. Children receive praise and reward for acts of kindness. For example, staff have introduced a 'kindness jar' to celebrate children's acts of kindness towards others. This creates a visual reminder to help to promote positive behaviour. n Staff support children's communication skills well. For instance, children

p.2

need to do better?

enthusiastically join staff for group-time activities where they listen attentively to clues to identify items in a box. Staff encourage children to discuss their ideas during play. They ask thought-provoking questions and engage in meaningful

p.2

need to do better?

27 June 2024 conversations. n Mealtimes are planned to support children's social interaction. Staff sit with children for lunch and engage in conversation. However, there are occasions when not all children receive quality adult interaction and opportunities to develop their social skills during mealtimes. For example, some children are sat in highchairs away from the main table. This has an impact on their ability to interact socially with their peers. n Parents are complimentary about the pre-school. They describe staff as 'supportive' and 'approachable'. Staff regularly share advice and tips for children's home learning. For example, they offer 'top tips' that include recipe ideas for healthy meals and suggestions for activities, such as dough with tools, to support children's dexterity. Parents of different professions visit the pre- school to talk to the children. For example, dental hygienists are invited to the

p.2

need to do better?

pre-school to chat with children about oral health. n The manager highly values her long-standing staff team and prioritises their well-being. She ensures that staff have opportunities for training and provides regular supervision meetings. Staff confirm they feel well supported. However, the manager has not sought further ways to help all staff develop a deeper knowledge of teaching and learning. n Those with governance of the pre-school have failed to notify Ofsted correctly of a change in committee members and to the nominated individual. However, they have taken steps to ensure the suitability of committee members. This means that there is no impact on children's safety and welfare. In addition, the manager has taken swift action to address these issues.

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 review the organisation of mealtimes so that all children are engaged in learning during these times and have the opportunity to interact socially with their peers n continue to build on the already good practice and seek further ways to help all staff develop first-rate teaching skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY433017 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10351702 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Watlington Pre-School Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01553 811035 Date of previous inspection 9 October 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Watlington Preschool re-registered in 2011 and is committee run. It employs five members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.30am to 3pm. 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 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 manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about the curriculum and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this had on children's learning. n Parents provided verbal feedback during the inspection. The inspector took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager to assess the impact of staff's teaching on children's learning.

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

27 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