Potterspury Pre-School

Inspection of Potterspury Pre-School John Hellins Primary School, High Street, Potterspury, TOWCESTER, Northamptonshire NN12 7PG

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are potentially compromised. Not all staff understand how to respond in the event of a safeguarding concern. Policies and procedures linked to safeguarding lack necessary detail. All records and procedures required for the safe management of children's health and education are not currently in place. A lack of effective communication between the management and staff team has led to weaknesses in the delivery of the curriculum and low staff morale. The management team do not identify weaknesses in teaching practice or provide effective support and coaching for staff. Consequently, children are not consistently supported to build on what they already know and can do.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, children are happy to attend and enjoy playing with the equipment available to them. Children enjoy being outdoors, where they gain fresh air and exercise to help keep them fit and healthy. Older children ably balance on tyres, ride wheeled toys and negotiate space safely. Overall, staff know the children well and ensure that the environment reflects their needs, however, any learning is incidental. They are kind and caring with the children and help them build secure attachments.

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The provision is inadequate

Children enjoy singing songs and rhymes. As they sing, they follow staff's instructions, enthusiastically joining in actions as they lie on the floor and then jump up and move their bodies in time to the words. Children learn to behave well and become independent in managing their personal hygiene in readiness for their move to school. They develop good small-muscle skills as they scoop mud and pretend to make cakes and cups of tea. Children share what they have 'made' with staff and visitors. Staff support children to develop a love of reading as they share stories with children daily. Older children build conversational skills as they predict what will happen next.

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need to do better?

n The management team do not ensure the staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding. Staff are not clear on the action to take in the event of a safeguarding concern and they are not able to recognise all potential risks to children. Some concerns previously identified and recorded by staff have not been actioned by the management team or reported to the relevant agencies. Consequently, all necessary steps are not being taken to ensure children's safety. n The management and staff teams do not work cohesively together to ensure that the learning needs of the children are understood and met. There are grievances amongst the team, which some staff say have left them feeling unsure of what is expected of them. Although there is a curriculum in place, not all staff understand how to implement this to ensure children make the progress

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need to do better?

8 July 2024 they are capable of. When some children are seen to wander and not engage in activities, some staff do attempt to engage these children and help them to learn. As a result, there are inconsistencies in the progress children make. n The manager and the committee do not monitor staff's practice closely enough. Staff are offered ongoing supervision meetings. However, gaps in the staff's teaching practice and safeguarding knowledge have not been identified to ensure the quality of children's care and education. n The progress check for children aged two years has not been completed for every child who should have had one. This is a requirement and may delay children receiving any additional support should this be needed. n The manager and staff do not consistently seek written consent from parents for the safe administration of medication. Furthermore, care plans are not in place regarding children's health and the safe administration of prescription drugs. The

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need to do better?

management team are unsure whether specific training is needed before administering some medicines children require. These oversights may delay children receiving the medication they need, impacting their health and well- being. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who need extra help well. They liaise well with parents to ensure each child's needs are known and understood. The manager liaises with outside agencies to ensure children receive appropriate funding in order to get the support they need. n Children learn to behave well. Staff encourage children to be polite and to share the toys and equipment with their friends. When children snatch or squabble over toys, staff remind them of the need to share and take turns and show them how to do this. Staff offer praise and encouragement when children show positive behaviours, which helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure staff understand and implement robust safeguarding procedures, including maintaining records and sharing concerns with other agencies 29/07/2024

p.3

Due date

8 July 2024 review and update the pre-school's safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with the guidance of the local safeguarding partnership 29/07/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure the curriculum is implemented effectively to build on what children already know and can do 05/08/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff receive the coaching and support they need to further raise the quality of teaching and promote ongoing teamwork, sensitive discussions, and professional development 29/07/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure the progress check at age two is completed for all children and seek appropriate support for those children who may not be making the progress they are capable of 05/08/2024

p.4

Due date

obtain written consent from parents/carers to administer medications to children and ensure that any necessary training needed for the safe administration of specific medications is completed. 29/07/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 219968 Local authority West Northamptonshire Inspection number 10356818 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 26 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Potterspury Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01908 542871 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Potterspury Pre-School Playgroup registered in 2000 and is situated in Towcester, Northamptonshire. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.15am until 4.15pm. 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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. 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

8 July 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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