Upton Methodist Church Pre-School

Inspection of Upton Methodist Church Pre-School Dorchester Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset BH16 5NN

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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

This setting provides children with a welcoming and nurturing environment that makes them feel secure and valued. Children benefit from warm and friendly interactions that help them settle quickly. Effective communication between staff and parents ensures that children receive consistent care and support.

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The provision is good

Children engage in a variety of creative activities, such as making cards for special occasions. They have access to a wide range of resources that encourage creativity and the development of fine motor skills. Children take pride in their work, carefully painting pictures and arranging materials to create their own unique designs. They use their emerging writing skills to label their work.

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The provision is good

The provider promotes physical development through a well-sequenced curriculum that includes activities that build children's locomotor skills. Children enjoy taking part in fun physical challenges, such as balancing, crawling and hopping. These help them develop coordination and strength. Children learn to take turns and support one another, fostering a sense of teamwork and cooperation as they pretend to be pirates rescuing their treasure.

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The provision is good

Staff nurture children's social skills effectively as they engage in collaborative play and storytelling activities. Children use props and toys to create imaginative scenarios, enhancing their language and social interactions.

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need to do better?

n The provider's curriculum is clear and ambitious, designed to cultivate independent and confident children who are well prepared for their future education. The provider uses planned activities, such as painting, to encourage children to experiment with tools and materials, providing them with numerous opportunities to freely explore their creativity and develop skills. Children are proud of their achievements and are highly motivated. n The provider is effective at supporting children's communication and language development. When reading books to children, staff sustain their concentration, read engagingly and discuss their predictions about the story with them. Children learn to identify sounds within words and spot patterns in rhyming vocabulary. They enjoy matching objects hidden in a bag with one another, calling out 'fish in a dish'. These activities foster a love of reading and language. n Staff know children well. They use various assessment tools to accurately assess

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need to do better?

children's abilities and identify areas for their development. Most staff plan activities that incorporate these skills and knowledge into children's play and learning, such as fun games that extend their vocabulary. However, occasionally, staff do not use this information as effectively and do not correct children's

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need to do better?

25 March 2025 misconceptions. For instance, when children miscount dinosaurs using their fingers, some staff do not teach accurate counting skills promptly. n The provider accurately evaluates the quality of teaching and learning. They have a clear view of what is going well and are ambitious to make even further improvements. The provider has implemented enhancements in the environment. This has helped children sustain their concentration and engage in purposeful play. For example, children enthusiastically engage in pretend play, selling and buying fantasy ice creams while riding play vehicles. They say, 'I'd like to buy rainbow ice cream please.' However, there are times when staff do not interact enough with children outdoors, leading to some children losing focus and playing without peer interactions. n Staff teach children the skills that enable them to develop their independent life skills. At snack time, children butter their crackers and pour their own glass of

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need to do better?

milk. Children enjoy the responsibility of using real crockery and glasses, taking care as they take turns. They behave well, enjoying each other's company as they help one another. n The provider has established strong partnerships with parents. Staff members work closely with families to communicate children's progress and identify any developmental gaps. The setting shares strategies with parents to help support children's learning at home. The provider takes proactive steps to involve parents in working alongside external agencies, offering extra support for children, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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 use of assessment information so that all staff effectively plan and respond to gaps in children's learning and correct their misconceptions quickly so that children make even more progress n support staff to develop consistency in the quality of interactions that help children maintain their concentration and focus, particularly in the outdoor environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 153445 Local authority Dorset Inspection number 10380357 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Upton Methodist Church Pre-School

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reference number

Telephone number 01202 631915 Date of previous inspection 6 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Upton Methodist Church Pre-School has been in operation for over 40 years and is based at the Methodist Church Hall in Upton, Poole, Dorset. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday during term time only, from 8.30am to 3.30pm. There are 11 staff members who work with children. One member of staff holds a level 4 qualification, six hold a level 3 qualification, one holds a level 2 qualification, and three are unqualified. The pre-school offers government funded places.

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Inspection activities

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 the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity. 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 setting.

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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

25 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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