Olney Pre-School

Inspection of Olney Pre-School The Olney Centre, High Street, OLNEY, Buckinghamshire MK46 4EF

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

The pre-school prioritises the children's needs and development extremely successfully through a structured framework. Children thrive in the exceptionally well-resourced environment and through the support of a highly enthusiastic staff team. The leaders and staff work together to create an ambitious curriculum, which is evident in the children's development and learning. Regardless of children's background and/or special educational needs and/or disabilities, staff support children to reach their full potential.

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The provision is outstanding

The quality of teaching at the pre-school is outstanding, with staff meticulously meeting the children's needs. The curriculum incorporates organised activities, and the learning environment offers extensive opportunities for children to develop according to the planned curriculum.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff are extremely caring and attentive towards children. They assist children in making good choices and foster high standards, respect and kindness. Children take pride in their learning experiences and participate in various activities, such as writing their names with chalk on the ground in the outdoor area. Staff provide excellent support for children to help them learn expectations for behaviour. As a result, children behave exceptionally well. They form positive friendships and show kindness and respect towards each other. Children enthusiastically explore their environment and resources, showing eagerness to learn. For instance, they use the climbing frame, take turns, and manage risks. Staff support younger children in their transition by arranging visits to the pre-school room to help them become familiar with the new routines and environments.

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need to do better?

n Staff are meticulous in implementing a challenging and broad curriculum to build on children's knowledge and support their continuous development. Leaders and staff regularly evaluate the quality of the curriculum they provide to ensure that they plan and provide activities and experiences that meet the needs of all children attending. As a result, all children are consistently engaged in meaningful learning. n Staff know the children and what they need to achieve next to move on to the next stage in their learning. They swiftly identify gaps in children's learning and put targeted strategies in place to help those children catch up with their peers. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning from their starting points. n Partnerships with parents are exemplary, promoting a collaborative approach to children's education. The team is welcoming and supportive, maintaining robust communication and parental involvement through daily feedback, regular

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need to do better?

7 March 2025 meetings, termly parent conferences and an open-door policy. Additionally, information regarding activities that support learning at home is actively encouraged through the parent partnerships. n Leaders closely monitor teaching quality and ensure staff have opportunities for professional development. Staff report feeling well supported. Leaders provide regular training to enhance staff's already excellent practice. n Staff help children to learn about the world around them, including helping them to value and acknowledge different cultures. Children learn about different festivals and their meanings. They talk about different backgrounds and home traditions. They are able to access a range of resources reflecting different faiths and ethnic origins to extend their learning. n The outdoor area is used exceptionally well by staff to provide children with a wide array of enriching learning opportunities. Children thoroughly enjoy their

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need to do better?

time outdoors and spend significant periods engaged in activities they choose. For instance, they work on their fine motor skills using various tools to make marks and trace numbers in the sand. They develop physical skills by climbing age-appropriate equipment and delight in riding toys as they navigate the pre- made road area. n Staff cultivate a love of books and reading through shared storytelling sessions. For instance, children listen attentively while staff read familiar and cherished stories. Staff skilfully ask questions about the narrative, giving children ample time to think and respond. They frequently interact with children during activities to enhance both learning and communication skills. Additionally, children have the opportunity to borrow books from the lending library, fostering their confidence in communication and self-expression. n Staff competently engage with children, offering many chances for critical

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need to do better?

thinking and self-expression. For example, when children used a net to pick up things in the water tray, they counted and matched the items. They enjoyed exploring further, using extensive speech and language with staff. n Parents have observed considerable improvements in their children's communication and independence skills. For example, staff support children's speech development by introducing new vocabulary and posing questions, helping children to use complex language appropriately.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number 141861 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10380521 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 40 Number of children on roll 84 Name of registered person Olney Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01234 240042 Date of previous inspection 12 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Olney Pre-School first opened in 1968 and registered in 1997. It is located in Olney, Buckinghamshire. There are 12 staff who work with the children. Of these, nine hold early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the manager, who has early years professional status, and the deputy manager, who holds qualified teacher status. The pre-school opens Monday to Friday during term time only, with sessions running from 9am to 3pm. It offers funded early education places for children aged two, three and four years old.

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Inspection activities

n Parents provided verbal and written feedback regarding the quality of care and education, which the inspector recorded. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed its impact on children's learning. n The inspector joined the manager on a learning walk to discuss curriculum objectives. n The inspector spoke with staff and the children at convenient times. n The manager and the inspector jointly observed a scheduled activity.

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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

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.

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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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