Holbrook Community Pre-school

Inspection of Holbrook Community Pre-school North Heath Hall, St. Marks Lane, HORSHAM, West Sussex RH12 5PU

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children flourish in the welcoming environment provided by the pre-school. All staff show a dedication to providing children with high-quality learning experiences. Staff plan a range of activities that deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that caters for children's current interests and their existing knowledge. Consequently, all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children who speak English as an additional language, make progress from their starting points. Staff demonstrate a genuine delight when children arrive at the pre-school. They ask about the children's home life and how their morning has been. This interest in their well-being helps children develop a sense of belonging at the pre-school and enables them to settle quickly.

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The provision is good

Children demonstrate a strong, positive attitude to their learning. They arrive at the pre-school with high expectations for the day ahead and immerse themselves into activities which have been carefully planned for them. Children understand the high expectations of behaviour that staff model for them. Staff are gentle, kind and respectful. This has a positive impact on how children treat each other, resources and adults. Children feel valued, important and listened to.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear vision for the pre-school. Their self-evaluation is accurate and identifies areas for further development. Leaders work collaboratively with the staff team. Opportunities are available to help staff continue in their professional development, such as further training. This helps to enhance the already high level of care and education that children receive. Staff recognise and appreciate that leaders invest in them. They comment that they feel very valued and that their well-being is high. n Staff promote books and a love of reading with the children. They have a focus story, which the children have chosen, and read this in a way that captures children's imagination. Children are encouraged to contribute with their own ideas. They become excited and demonstrate a clear joy in acting out the story of 'The Three Little Pigs'. Staff provide resources and encourage children to think

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need to do better?

about and discuss the materials needed to build a strong house. This questioning further extends children's learning in a memorable way. n All children, including the youngest and those who are new to the pre-school, demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. For example, children enjoy cuddles with the loving staff. They approach them when they become upset. The key- person system works very well at the pre-school. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of children and their families. They offer support for parents in a variety of situations, for example, when children struggle to part from a parent in the morning. Leaders make sure that all referrals to outside professionals are

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need to do better?

10 January 2025 timely and impactful for children with SEND. Parents and carers offer extremely positive feedback about the helpful impact the caring staff and leadership team have had on their families. n The skills that children need for the next stage in their education, such as moving on to school, are well embedded into daily routines. Children, even the youngest, are encouraged to be independent. For example, they help to prepare the snack for other children. Staff use opportunities such as this to support children's mathematical skills, including counting out cups and pieces of fruit for their friends. Children put away their belongings and staff gently encourage the children to put on their coats when getting ready for outside play. n Children enjoy ongoing opportunities for outside play and running around in the fresh air. They regularly go for walks in the local community which helps educate

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need to do better?

children on current or future topics. Children visit the local church and attend a nearby retirement home to interact with the residents. Experiences such as these help children with their social skills and helps develop an early understanding that not all disabilities can be seen. n Overall, the staff are knowledgeable and skilful They have a good understanding of how to promote children's learning. This enables children to make progress across the areas of the curriculum. All staff know what they want children to learn next. However, the quality of staff's teaching can be variable. Interactions from staff are not always precise and meaningful. On occasions, this results in children not being fully supported to extend their learning. Despite this, children's involvement and engagement throughout the pre-school is high.

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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 the monitoring and coaching of staff, to help staff provide more consistent support for children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 113525 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10375758 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 28 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Holbrook Community Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07745 624595 Date of previous inspection 1 May 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Holbrook Community Pre-School is a committee-run group which registered in 1991. It operates from North Heath Hall in Horsham, West Sussex. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 8.45am until 2.45pm during term time only. The setting employs eight staff; of those, five hold appropriate early years qualifications up to level 6. The pre-school provides government funded early education places for children aged from two to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. 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

10 January 2025 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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