MW and H Ltd t/a Bluebell Pre-school

Inspection of MW and H Ltd t/a Bluebell Pre-school ORPEN MEMORIAL HALL, Lexden Road, Colchester CO6 3BW

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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

Staff offer children a warm welcome into this nurturing and caring pre-school. Children are happy and settle well. New children receive close and sensitive support from their key person to help them to feel safe and secure. Leaders offer home visits to new children. This enables them to start building relationships and gather information about children's home lives. They use this information well to precisely plan and implement what children need to learn next, enabling all children to make good progress.

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The provision is good

Children benefit from outings in the community, such as walks to the 'wooden wonderland', where they learn about environmental changes and increase their awareness of the wider world. Staff support children to be independent individuals. Children change into their wellington boots before playing outdoors and are beginning to manage their own personal needs. They use small tools to peel and cut fruit and vegetables. Staff encourage children to taste these and introduce them to words such as 'citrus' and 'sour' as they suck the juice from a lemon. Children are imaginative. They pretend to make soup in the mud kitchen. Staff model expected behaviour. They regularly talk to children about how they are feeling and build on their emotional literacy. Children take turns to fulfil the role of special helper of the day. This helps to increase their self-esteem and respect for others as they complete appropriate responsibilities.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and the staff team have a clear intent for the ambitious and well- sequenced curriculum that is tailored to reflect the needs of each child. Staff know the children very well. They make the best possible use of children's experiences out of the pre-school to help extend and embed new knowledge. Regular assessments and observations ensure that children's progress is stringently monitored. n Children with special educational needs/and or disabilities make good progress from their starting points. Staff form strong partnerships with other professionals and use strategies such as a visual routine and language boards to support children's understanding and enable them to express their needs. Any additional funding the pre-school receives is used to support children's individual needs. n Children have plenty of opportunities to lead their own play. Alongside this, staff plan a range of focused adult-led activities. Overall, they use these well to help

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need to do better?

children to learn and remember more. However, at times, staff to not adapt their teaching to meet the individual needs of children, some of whom find it difficult to remain engaged and fully participate. Leaders have not considered incorporating this teaching within children's play to fully focus their attention and engagement.

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need to do better?

16 January 2025 n Relationships with parents are strong. They have many opportunities to engage with the pre-school and share experiences with other parents at organised coffee mornings. Staff keep parents fully informed of their child's achievements using a range of methods to ensure they reach every parent. They also provide ideas to aid learning at home. Parents comment how they and their children have built fantastic relationships with the whole staff team. They value how staff show a genuine interest in and understand changes in children's lives, while providing a warm, loving environment where children are excited to attend. n Staff plan activities that support children's inquisitive minds. For example, they introduce children to mathematical concepts such as weight and quantities. Children handle a range of different objects and decide if they feel heavy or light. They predict which objects will sink to the bottom of a large, clear

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need to do better?

container filled with water. However, in other activities, staff do not always provide children with enough time to solve problems themselves. n Staff support children to be respectful individuals. They calmly remind children of the setting's golden rules and actively help them to build friendships, such as encouraging them to hold hands during the actions to a familiar song. n Children enjoy the freedom to choose when they would like to play outdoors. They negotiate large apparatus during regular visits to the local park. Children acquire essential core strength to develop good balance, posture and coordination throughout their play. n Leaders work closely with staff to support their ongoing professional development. They frequently observe staff practice and swiftly identify any areas for improvement and provide guidance when needed. All staff have good opportunities to complete training. New knowledge and skills are shared with the

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need to do better?

whole team to ensure a consistent approach. Recent training has enhanced staff knowledge of how to increase children's confidence.

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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 review the organisation of adult-led group activities to fully support children's participation n allow children more time to think and develop their problem-solving skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY472841 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10373399 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 51 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person MW and H Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07969510120 Date of previous inspection 8 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Bluebell Pre-School originally registered in 1969 and re-registered under a new legal status in 2013. The pre-school is open from 8am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. It employs 14 members of staff, all of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the pre-school to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the deputy manager and the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and grandparents spoken to on the day, and through their written feedback.

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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

16 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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