First Friends Pre School

Inspection of First Friends Pre School Folly Road, Great Waldingfield, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 0RR

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 excited as they enter the vibrant pre-school environment. They are greeted by smiling staff who take time to welcome them and to ask how they are. Even very new children attending for their first week in pre-school enter confidently and seek other children to form small friendship groups with. Staff observe these interactions and help any less confident children to join in. Children move at ease from the pre-school room to the fun and well-presented garden, where they engage in purposeful play across all seven areas of learning.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff plan an ambitious curriculum based on what they know about children's interests, likes and dislikes. They make use of events and trips to extend the children's communication skills. For example, following the local scarecrow show within the village, staff present resources and books to encourage children to speak about the scarecrows they have seen. They use the information shared by parents about new children's interests to help those children to settle and feel comfortable with familiar toys. Children who need to bring a comforter with them are encouraged to do so and to place it in a 'special place' pocket for easy access when needed.

p.2

need to do better?

n The pre-school is run by a team of committee members. They, along with the manager and deputy, form the management team. The management team supports staff well, providing them with coaching and guidance. They give careful consideration to the staff's well-being and work effectively to support each other. Plans are in place to help to develop the staff team so that they deliver teaching to a consistently high standard. n Parents speak very highly of the staff and management team. They comment on how well their children are supported to develop, especially in relation to communication and language. Some parents say that they chose the pre-school for their child on recommendation from other parents. Staff work effectively with other providers when children attend more than one setting. n Children listen attentively to stories read by staff. They snuggle up with the staff and each other in the reading space. Staff read in a clear and well-timed

p.2

need to do better?

manner, ensuring that children have the opportunity to join in with their favourite parts. Children enjoy singing and are familiar with the visual prompts used to depict each song. n Children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good, sustained progress in their learning. Staff who lead on supporting children with SEND are knowledgeable about their roles. Additional funding is spent effectively to help to close any gaps in children's learning and development. Staff work effectively with other professionals, such as speech and

p.2

need to do better?

10 September 2024 language therapists. They continue strategies introduced by these professionals to enhance children's learning. n Children enjoy being creative when they roll and model dough. They use natural resources to create pictures from the dough and leaves. Children enjoy making pretend meals for the staff in the role-play area. They chat confidently about the meals they are making and what foods they each like and dislike. Staff extend their thinking by asking clear and pertinent questions. They provide sufficient time for the children to consider their responses and join in with the two-way discussion. n Staff work well with the local school. They prepare children well for their move to school through effective transition arrangements. For example, children regularly visit the school in the summer term to familiarise themselves with the layout and teaching staff. n Children are very well behaved. They speak to each other in a kind way and

p.2

need to do better?

share resources. Staff support them to understand the pre-school's rules and boundaries and act as good role models. However, at times, staff do not give clear enough directions to children during transition times so that they are prepared for the next activity.

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 strengthen and embed the programme of professional development to support staff in further developing their knowledge, confidence and skills to a consistently high level n review transition times to provide children with clear information about changes to the routine.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY301142 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10344384 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 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Great Waldingfield Playgroup Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01787 882473 Date of previous inspection 20 September 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

First Friends Pre School registered in 2005. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff, eight of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term-time. Sessions are from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to committee members about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate 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

10 September 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