Upton Pre-School Group & Afterschool Club Ltd

Inspection of Upton Pre-School Group & Afterschool Club Ltd All Saints C of E Primary School, Hough Green Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 4PG

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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 Good

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The provision is good

The motto of 'together we grow and learn' is truly embedded across this special setting. Staff greet children each morning with a smile and a hug. Children cannot contain their excitement to enter this nurturing setting. They wave their parents off at the door and are ready to start their day of fun and adventure. Staff are good role models. They have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children know what is expected of them and they behave well. They are kind towards others. For example, when their friends become upset, they give them reassuring hugs. Children are happy and they have a strong sense of belonging.

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The provision is good

In the main, staff provide children with a balanced curriculum, which keeps them motivated to learn. Children relish an array of activities. For example, they beam with delight while searching for bugs outdoors. They show excellent imaginative skills while helping to build a 'magical road' with wooden blocks. Staff give children's emotional well-being high priority. They spend time getting to know children and their families during the settling-in period. Children develop trusting relationships with staff and settle well. Staff provide opportunities for children to take part in yoga sessions and 'reflection time' in the sensory room. This helps children to develop their muscle strength and they learn how to relax.

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The provision is good

Staff help children to become independent from an early age. For example, by encouraging them to hang their own coats up and to help to tidy toys away. Children are proud of their setting and their achievements. They share their artwork with staff and remind their friends of how to look after the play equipment. Children develop the necessary skills to support them in their next steps in learning.

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need to do better?

n The setting has effective systems in place for self-evaluation. For example, through reflection, staff have identified that some children's progress in mathematics had declined slightly. They attended training and redeveloped learning areas to focus on children's understanding of mathematical concepts. These interventions have been highly effective and children now make good progress in mathematics. n In the main, staff provide children with a knowledge-rich curriculum. They build on what children already know and can do. For example, staff provide opportunities for children to learn about the human body. Children relish these experiences. They are confident to name different body parts and show an early awareness of the purpose of organs, such as the brain. n Overall, staff access an effective programme of continual professional development. They attend appraisal meetings and have supervision sessions

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need to do better?

4 October 2024 with leaders. However, some staff do not receive incisive feedback about their interactions with children. This means that, on occasion, some activities are not best matched to children's interests and capabilities. Consequently, some children become disengaged in their learning. n The support in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) is excellent. Staff leave no stone unturned in their pursuit to removing barriers to learning. Intervention plans are in place and staff monitor these with precision. Children with SEND and EAL flourish. n Staff support children's communication and language skills effectively. They listen to children with genuine interest and ask them questions during their play. Children are confident communicators who use a range of vocabulary. n The setting fosters children's love of reading exceptionally well. Staff read to

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need to do better?

children with animation. Children cannot contain their excitement to share books with their friends. They talk about visiting the library and recall taking books home to share with their families. n Staff teach children incredibly well about similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, children look at their reflections in mirrors. They know that their friends have different hair, eye and skin colour. Children are tolerant of others and demonstrate good behaviour. n Children who are in receipt of additional funding are supported exceptionally well. Staff use funding to provide children with experiences that they might not usually have. For example, children get to hold exotic animals during an animal road show. In addition, staff purchase resources to help to develop children's large-muscle skills. These interventions help to narrow gaps in children's learning. Children who access funded places make good progress.

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need to do better?

n Staff teach children well about the world. For instance, they provide opportunities for children to take part in fundraising events. This teaches children about others who are less fortunate. Children enjoy visits from the emergency services and learn how these help in their local community. Children talk about their future aspirations, such as becoming doctors and pilots.

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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 provide staff with more incisive feedback about their interactions with children, to help to keep children more engaged in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY539780 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10354691 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 66

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Name of registered person

Upton Pre-School Group And Afterschool Club Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0151 257 2450 Date of previous inspection 1 November 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Upton Pre-School Group & Afterschool Club Ltd re-registered in 2016 following a change in legal status and is located in Widnes. The setting employs six members of childcare staff, five hold an early years qualification at level 3 and above. The setting operates each weekday during term time. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3pm.The out-of-school club opens from 7.45am until 9am and from 3.10pm until 6pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector conducted a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n Discussions were held with the leadership and management team. n The inspector observed adult-led activities and children during their play. n The inspector spoke with parents and carers during the inspection. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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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

4 October 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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