Aldbourne Pre-school

Inspection of Aldbourne Pre-school St Michael's C of E School, Back Lane, Aldbourne, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2BP

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Children arrive at this warm and welcoming pre-school happy and eager to start their day. The key-person approach is firmly embedded. For example, children's key persons work hard with parents to understand how best to support their children when they start. They gather in-depth information about the children and their families. Staff use this information and plan settling-in sessions that are unique to the children's needs. This helps children feel safe and settle quickly with the staff.

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The provision is good

The flexible curriculum is planned around children's interests and builds on what they already know through careful assessments of their progress. The curriculum is enhanced further through opportunities to investigate and explore the local community. For example, staff organise daily trips to the local school, church and library, along with a visit to see farm animals. This provides children with excellent first-hand opportunities to learn about nature, religion, animals and the local community.

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The provision is good

Children show they are motivated to learn and make choices throughout the day. For example , they choose whether to play inside or outside following their own interest. Children take part in a variety of creative activities throughout the day, such as, painting pictures of daffodils, drawing or making play dough which supports their imagination and early writing skills. They form good friendships with their peers, laugh and are happy at the pre-school. All children behave well, share and take turns. Younger children enjoy action songs and rhymes. Older children show they are developing the skills for their next stage of learning.

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need to do better?

n Leaders continually review and evaluate what is working well and identify future developments. Staff are passionate about providing a good environment for children to thrive. They take part in regular supervision meetings and attend meetings to share ideas. Staff attend regular training. This helps staff develop their knowledge further and contributes to children making good progress in their learning. For example, they have recently taken part in training to support communication and language development and are working on ways to implement this. n Staff work well in partnership with parents. Parents comment on how their children have quickly settled. Staff share regular information with parents about their children's development through daily discussions. This helps parents to continue their child's learning at home. n Staff use daily routines to help children develop their independence skills. For

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need to do better?

example, Children prepare their snack, buttering their own crackers and cutting up various fruits. Staff teach children how to put their coats on before playing

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need to do better?

27 March 2025 outside. Older children know to wash their hands before mealtimes and are confident using the toilet. This helps children develop confidence in their own abilities. n Children experience a range of activities that support their physical development. Staff plan many opportunities in the outside area. For example, children dig in the mud, jump and ride bikes in the large outside spaces, and take part in forest school weekly. This supports children's large- and small-muscle development. n Staff share stories with children throughout the day. They remind them how to care for the books properly. Staff gather children together in order to sit and listen to a story. However, staff are not successful in maintaining children's engagement. Some lose interest and move away. This disrupts the attention of children who want to listen to the story. n Children are confident speakers. Staff engage children in meaningful

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need to do better?

conversations and provide running commentaries during activities. They listen carefully during groups sessions and enjoy spontaneous singing throughout the day. Staff have a comprehension of how children develop their conversation skills. However, on occasion, noise levels inside the pre-school are high which makes it difficult for staff to hear and join in children's valuable conversations. Staff are in the process of implementing new strategies to overcome this. n Children take part in building puzzles and some number games. However, staff miss opportunities to fully support children's number recognition and problem- solving skills to develop their early mathematical development. n Staff swiftly identify children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and provide them with support. They work well with parents and external professionals to implement plans that address gaps in children's

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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 further develop ways for staff to maintain children's engagement during large group story time to support their listening and attentions skills n enhance opportunities further for children to solve problems and develop a understanding of numbers and their early mathematical skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 146021 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10388313 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 40 Name of registered person Julie Kent & Annette Jerram Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01672 541 648 Date of previous inspection 5 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Aldbourne Pre-school opened in 1962 and is privately owned. The pre-school is open each weekday, from 7.45am to 3pm, during term time only. This incorporates a breakfast club for children aged from four to 11 years who attend the adjacent school. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education. The pre- school employs nine staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications: one at level 2, four at level 3, one at level 4, one at level 5 and one holds a level 6 qualification.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector and the manager carried out two joint observations of activities and staff practice. n The inspector spoke to several parents and children during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

27 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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