Weston Pre-School Group

Inspection of Weston Pre-School Group Weston CP School, Lambsickle Lane, Weston, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 4RA

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 happy and settled at this pre-school. The key-person system is well embedded, and children have close bonds with the staff. This is evident in the way children separate easily from their parents and quickly settle to the activities on offer. The staff support and encourage children's play and learning, offering a narrative to their play, helping to engage them in learning. Providers encourage self-selection of activities and resources, with equipment stored at low level to promote and encourage children's independence. Staff promote a love of reading. They sit and share stories with the children. The staff cuddle up with the children in the cosy area, and they share books together. The staff sensitively leave gaps for children to join in the familiar parts of their favourite stories. The staff make effective use of props and puppets to support storytelling and encourage the children to become more involved in the story. They use exciting voices and

p.2

The provision is good

intonation to help engage the children in the story and keep them interested.

p.2

The provision is good

Clear routines and boundaries are in place to help the children know what is coming next. Expectations for children's behaviour are high, and staff promote positive reinforcement of rules. Children learn how to share and take turns. They use manners and are polite, for example, when sharing resources, which helps them to develop a respect for others.

p.2

need to do better?

n Providers sequence the curriculum to build upon what children already know and can do. Staff use their observations and assessments of children to help them to identify the next steps in their learning. They plan opportunities and experiences to encourage children to make progress. n Providers promote the celebration of events which are special to the children that attend, including Christmas, Easter, and Diwali. Children have the opportunity to learn about countries, cultures and festivals which are different to their own. This enables them to learn more about the wider world. n Providers teach children about the area in which they live. Children visit the local church, feed the horses in the fields, and visit the park. They often visit the local shop to buy ingredients, which they then use for baking and cooking. This helps children to learn about different places in their local community. n The staff support children's interactions well, asking questions and extending

p.2

need to do better?

their learning. However, not all staff remember to use more challenging vocabulary with the children. For example, using words such as 'baby', 'mummy' and 'daddy' to describe size. This limits children's ability to develop language and extend their vocabulary. n The staff know the children well. They identify children's individual needs and, alongside parents, implement support strategies to help them. They regularly

p.2

need to do better?

11 October 2024 monitor children to ensure that they are on track and making progress, no matter how small the steps. Other agencies are involved as required to help provide any additional support children need. As such, children make progress regardless of their needs or abilities. n Parents are pleased with the care and education their children receive. They feel that staff offer support to the whole family, not just the child, with their fast response to requests, referrals and support. Communication between staff and parents is transparent and open. They provide parents with details of children's progress and next steps, keeping them involved in their children's learning. n Providers place a high emphasis on children learning to do things for themselves. Children are encouraged to pour their own drinks and select their own snacks, before washing the dishes when they have finished snack. This helps them to learn valuable skills which prepare them for the next stage in their

p.2

need to do better?

learning, and develop independence. n Providers carry out supervision sessions and peer observations. However, these are not used to their full potential, in that they do not specifically linked to improving outcomes for children or improving practice within the pre-school. This means that staff are not always clear on their areas for improvement, and how this can raise the quality of their practice even further.

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 support staff in extending children's vocabulary to further improve their language and communication skills, n strengthen supervision arrangements and monitoring procedures to help staff identify areas for improvement, enabling them to raise the quality of their practice even further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY364048 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10354995 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Robinson, Susan

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01928 576328 Date of previous inspection 14 November 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Weston Pre-School Group first opened in 1991, and re-registered in 2007 following a change of ownership. It is privately owned and operates from designated rooms within Weston Primary School in Runcorn. The pre-school employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. It opens each weekday during term time from 9am until 3pm, excluding bank holidays. The pre-school offers the government-funded places for childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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

11 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.

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