Blossom Wood Pre-School

Inspection of Blossom Wood Pre- School The Scout Hut, Higgins Road, Newhall, Swadlincote DE11 0JY

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle quickly in the secure and welcoming environment the dedicated staff create. Staff use their knowledge of the curriculum to enable children to explore and learn. The activities and experiences they provide help children develop key knowledge and skills that prepare them for school.

p.2

The provision is good

Children engage in warm interactions with staff, which helps them build trust and learn how to develop relationships. For instance, when they feel unsettled, young children seek comforting cuddles. During these interactions, children and staff connect, making eye contact and sharing smiles. These back-and-forth interactions support the children in developing their early communication and language skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children are developing their imagination. Staff offer children natural and recycled materials that inspire them to engage in learning. For example, children use upcycled bed slats and wooden blocks to create roads, bridges and ramps for their small-world vehicles. During this play, the staff join in with the children to help them learn how to play together and understand the concepts of sharing and taking turns, thereby developing their social skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children share books with staff, promoting their love of reading. For example, when the staff share the story 'Rumble in the Jungle', children are active. They use their whole body to pretend to be jungle animals.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff understand what children need to learn during their time at the setting. They gather information from home and observe children during their play to assess where they are in their learning. They use this information to identify individual children's next steps. n Staff use children's next steps and their knowledge of their interests to plan adult-led activities. During these activities, children engage and learn. However, when staff resource the learning environment, they do not use their knowledge of the children to correctly match opportunities and resources to meet the needs of the younger children. As a result, children do not fully engage in the learning opportunities, which hinders their progress. n Staff support children to develop their early reading skills. They regularly plan opportunities to teach children songs and nursery rhymes and learn how to distinguish between environmental and instrumental sounds, which will later

p.2

need to do better?

enable children to hear the differences in letter sounds. Staff support children in continuing their love of books at home by providing them with the opportunity to access their lending library, which allows children to share their favourite nursery books at home.

p.2

need to do better?

7 March 2025 n Staff regularly provide opportunities for children to learn outdoors and develop physical skills, such as jumping, running and balancing. They promote healthy eating and encourage children to drink water frequently, using these moments to remind them that drinking water helps keep teeth healthier. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their independence through daily routines such as preparing to go outside. Children are learning to find their outdoor shoes and coats, and staff share techniques with them to enable them to put coats on themselves. n Staff establish clear expectations for children's behaviour, creating an environment where children behave well. They actively demonstrate respect during interactions by listening attentively to the children and engaging with them thoughtfully. Through gentle guidance, staff teach children the importance of kindness and care for others in their interactions. Children begin to

p.2

need to do better?

understand how to behave and play together. n Leaders reflect on their setting and identify priorities by collaborating closely with parents, the local authority adviser and their broader organisation. They focus on helping children develop their communication and language skills. To learn more about this, staff undertake extra training. Staff use what they learn in training in their work. For example, they now ask open-ended questions when talking with children instead of those needing only a one-word answer, which helps children grow their language, thinking and reasoning skills. n Staff recognise the importance of identifying children who may have emerging special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) at an early stage. They collaborate effectively with the SEND team, which provides specialist support and information regarding funding. Staff gather relevant information from parents and make observations to aid referral processes.

p.3

need to do better?

n Staff work closely with parents and interact with them daily. Many parents express gratitude for specific instances where staff members take the time to understand their child's unique needs or provide resources for the children and their families. Overall, this reflects their deep trust and appreciation for the staff's work.

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 improve the learning environment to ensure younger children can engage in all the learning opportunities provided.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2712042 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 10375975 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 50 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person Bramble Wood Day Nursery Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07380927162 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Blossom Wood Pre-School was registered in 2022 and is situated in The Scout Hut, Newhall, Swadincote. The setting employs three childcare staff members, two of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting is open Monday through Friday, term time only, from 9am until 3pm. The pre-school offers places to children in receipt of government funding.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises.

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

7 March 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.

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