Building Blocks Preschool Walton on Thames

Inspection of Building Blocks Preschool Walton on Thames Walton Working Mens Club, 21a Church Street, Walton-on-thames KT12 2QP

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy and engaged. They enjoy warm and caring support from staff. For instance, when younger children feel unsure, staff respond promptly and reassure them by singing familiar songs and encouraging them to engage in activities. Children show that they are secure at nursery by responding positively to staff and focusing their attention on their chosen activity.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for children's learning and development. They plan activities well to build on what children know and can do. For example, older children take part in a literacy activity where staff encourage them to remember what they have previously learned. Staff provide children with appropriate support to help them wait their turn to match the letters and sounds. Children show excitement as they share their knowledge with the group. Staff effectively guide children when they need support and offer them lots of praise when they find the correct answer. This helps children to develop the knowledge they need for later reading skills.

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The provision is good

Staff provide children with opportunities to develop their independence. For instance, during mealtimes, staff encourage them to put their cups and bowls away after they have finished eating. Staff also remind children to wash their hands at appropriate times, which helps them to learn how to manage their own self-care skills.

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need to do better?

n Leaders strive to offer high-quality education and care. Since the last inspection, they have reviewed the provision and made the necessary improvements in order to enhance children's experiences at nursery. For instance, leaders have embedded the curriculum well in staff practice. This enables staff to understand what they want children to learn so they can plan for their continued development. n Leaders aim to provide an inclusive service that provides all children with a wide range of activities and experiences. For example, staff build on children's knowledge of animals by taking them to the local pet shop. Children enjoy looking at the different types of pets, and this enables them to make links between what they have learned and the physical world around them. n Parents praise the nursery for the lovely, nurturing care that staff provide for children. Staff know their children well, including their home life and where they

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need to do better?

are in their development. Parents say that their children are happy and love attending nursery. They report that staff work in partnership with them to ensure that appropriate information is shared so that they can meet children's care needs. Parents are kept informed of their child's daily routines and

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need to do better?

3 December 2024 activities. However, parents do not consistently receive ideas for how they can extend their child's learning at home. This does not fully provide children with consistent support in their development. n Staff feel valued and supported by leaders. They benefit from coaching, mentoring and support that enables them to strengthen their practice. For instance, leaders have regular one-to-one meetings with staff, which enables them to work together to identify further training. This supports staff to enhance their practice. n Children are supported well by staff to show positive behaviour and engage well in their learning. For example, staff help children to take part in adult-led activities. They provide children with clear explanations of what they will be doing. This includes showing children how to do the activity. This enables children to understand what is expected of them. n Leaders and staff consider ways to enable children to develop an understanding

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need to do better?

of how to manage risks for themselves. This includes talking to children about hazards in their environment when they go on outings. They also teach children about online safety. This enables children to learn how to keep themselves safe. n Overall, teaching is good. Children enjoy positive interactions from staff. For example, when staff show them how to move in different ways, children beam with delight and copy the different actions. However, on occasion, staff do not recognise when children's interests change in order to adapt their teaching to extend children's development further. At these times, children do not benefit from high-quality teaching. n Children benefit from opportunities to develop their large muscles. For instance, non-walking children spend time using the walkers to move around the room. Staff guide them, which helps children to learn the skills they need to become confident walkers.

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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 strengthen parent partnerships so that all parents receive ideas for home learning n support staff to recognise opportunities to follow children's interests and further extend their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2703796 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10333123 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person South Wonston Nursery School Ltd

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Telephone number

Date of previous inspection 24 January 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Building Blocks Preschool Walton on Thames re-registered under new company ownership in 2022. It operates from Walton Working Men's Club, in Walton-On- Thames, Surrey. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The provider employs 19 staff to work with the children. Three members of staff hold a level 6 relevant childcare qualification, seven hold a level 3 and two hold a level 2.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

3 December 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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