Preston Brook Preschool

Inspection of Preston Brook Preschool Preston Brook Village Hall, Sandy Lane, Preston Brook, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3AW

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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

Leaders create a warm, nurturing and inclusive setting in which all children can thrive. Leaders and staff take the time to get to know the children and their families. This enables them to create bespoke plans that help children to grow and develop. In addition, this helps children to feel safe and secure. For example, children happily go to staff for reassurance when there are new people in the room. Staff provide a wide range of activities to encompass significant events, such as Easter, Diwali, World Kindness Day and Remembrance Sunday. This enables children to learn about their community, tolerance and the cultures and beliefs of others.

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The provision is good

Leaders and staff are positive role models. They help children to understand the setting's rules and explain why they are in place. As a result, children develop an awareness of their own safety. For example, they remind staff that they cannot use one of the wheeled resources, as it is broken. They work with staff so that it is placed in a safe place.

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The provision is good

Staff have aspirations for children and want them to succeed. They know when to step in to provide additional support. For example, staff provide guidance on how to use the pot stilts. Children persevere at tasks and beam in delight when they succeed. This gives them confidence in their own abilities. Children are encouraged to be independent. They hang their coats up, help to tidy up and enjoy carrying out small jobs. These simple tasks help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), develop the skills and knowledge that they need to build a strong foundation for future learning.

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need to do better?

n Strong leadership and management oversight helps maintain the good standards of care and education provided. Leaders place great emphasis on staff well- being, training and support. Staff are supported well through supervision meetings and training opportunities. Consequently, they understand their roles and responsibilities. n Support for children with SEND is a key strength. Leaders and staff work with parents and professionals to monitor and assess children's progress. They make referrals to other agencies when they identify gaps in children's learning. These timely interventions and good partnership working significantly enhance children's learning and development. n Leaders and staff have created a carefully sequenced and balanced curriculum. Staff are aware of the next steps in learning for children and how to achieve them. This knowledge enables staff to provide a range of activities and experiences that ignite children's thirst for learning.

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need to do better?

2 April 2025 n There is a focus on supporting children's communication and language. Most staff repeat set phrases and use signs to help children engage in conversations. However, this is inconsistent. Occasionally, children are on the periphery of discussions and do not have the opportunities to fully engage, and they wander off. This does not help them to acquire new vocabulary or take part in two-way conversations. n Songs, rhymes and stories are a fundamental part of the day. Children relish the opportunities to sit and read a book with staff. They talk animatedly about a favourite book, such as 'The Gruffalo', and retell the story to their friends. This shared love of reading encourages children's understanding of early literacy. n Leaders and staff plan ways for children to continually develop their small- and large-muscle movements. Children show determination as they walk across the raised balance beams. They use tools such as pipettes to drop water with

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need to do better?

increasing control. Children press, squeeze and mould dough, which helps to develop the muscles in their hands needed for writing. n Staff engage children in discussions about healthy eating and encourage them to try new foods through nurturing encouragement. They discuss the importance of eating a healthy diet and link this to promoting good oral health. These experiences help children in forming healthy habits for their future. n The support for children's emotional health and resilience is impressive. Staff provide children with the tools they need to express how they are feeling. Children ask staff for support when needed or seek help for a friend, 'as they look sad'. Ultimately, children show high levels of empathy and compassion for others. n Effective relationships with parents have a positive impact on children's learning and development. For example, parents and extended family members come into the setting to read and bake with the children. Leaders share ideas with

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need to do better?

parents, such as reading stories at home with their children. This helps to extend children's learning.

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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 staff's understanding of how children acquire language so that they make best use of the learning opportunities provided.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303480 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10392732 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 24 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Preston Brook Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01928 897174 Date of previous inspection 28 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Preston Brook Preschool registered in 1998. The pre-school employs nine members of staff. Of these, five staff hold a level 3 qualification and one holds a level 6 qualification. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during school term times. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm. The pre-school offers government funded places for children aged two to four years. They also offer places for children in receipt of funding for disadvantage.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked with the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke to and interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector conducted a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector spoke with some parents, who gladly shared their views on the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Staff and the special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the deputy manager spoke to the inspector about the leadership and management of 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

2 April 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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