The Corner Pre-School

Inspection of The Corner Pre-School St Cuthberts Trust, Lichfield Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO3 6DE

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 Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive happily and follow the pre-school arrival routine. They confidently find their names and independently place their belongings away. Children demonstrate close relationships with staff, who welcome them warmly. Together, they talk about their morning, and the children discuss their siblings who have gone to school. Children communicate with confidence among their friends and staff.

p.2

The provision is good

Children appear to feel comfortable and safe in the environment. They gladly greet their friends and get involved with the different resources set up for them. For example, children are immersed in imaginative play with toy trains and pretend bug hunts. Children demonstrate a good understanding of respect for one another as they learn to share and take turns as they play.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders implement a curriculum that is ambitious and interesting. It is planned to provide children with knowledge to support their future education. Leaders develop learning, for instance, that increases children's knowledge of life cycles and small insects. Children demonstrate their knowledge as they discuss how caterpillars turn into butterflies and spiders lay eggs. Children gain information that interests them and inspires their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff demonstrate clear knowledge of their key children's development during their time at pre-school. For example, they discuss children's starting points and demonstrate how ongoing assessment has supported children's progress. Parents know their child's key person well and regularly receive information about their learning. Key-person relationships are secure and effective. n Children's communication skills are promoted well by staff. For example, children learn the words for different insects as they explore their 'minibeast' topic. Children begin to use vocabulary, such as 'tarantula' and 'scorpion'. Staff encourage them to look at differences and use different language to describe them. Children become confident communicators and gain interesting learning about the world around them. n Staff provide children with plenty of opportunities to explore a range of stories. For example, staff read with enthusiasm in the book corner with small groups of

p.2

need to do better?

children. Children show excitement and remain engaged in different narratives for long periods. Staff also provide books for children to take home regularly. This means that children's love of reading is supported and increased. n Overall, planned activities are implemented well. Children engage in experiences and gain learning through positive interactions with staff. However, occasionally, teaching interactions do not extend children's learning. For example, staff do not

p.2

need to do better?

15 May 2025 consistently identify misconceptions or check children's understanding of the subject matter being taught to further build on their knowledge. n Children are physically active in their play. They demonstrate control as they balance on equipment in the garden. Staff build on children's interests and encourage them to jump from a low height. Children are confident and independent as they try hard to jump with two feet. Children demonstrate they are proud of their accomplishments as they smile and clap with delight. Children build good physical skills. n Children receive instructions from some staff about what is expected of them. However, at times, this is inconsistent. For example, children do not consistently receive an explanation about why certain rules are in place. This means that, occasionally, some younger children do not have a clear understanding of why rules are in place and do not follow them.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff recognise how to build on children's understanding of good health. For example, during snack time, staff talk to children about the benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables. Staff also discuss the benefits of drinking milk to support healthy teeth and bones. Children consistently receive messages that increase their understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. n Leaders have a clear oversight of their provision. They ensure all children have full access to their entitlement to education. For example, they closely support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work with professionals, such as speech and language therapists and educational psychologists. Together, they implement effective plans to support children to achieve the best outcomes.

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 develop teaching interactions to further extend children's learning n implement behavioural expectations clearly and consistently to support children's understanding of why rules are in place.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY308683 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10398436 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person The Corner Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 077480 64829 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Corner Pre-School registered in 2007 and is based in the St Cuthberts Trust Centre in Portsmouth. The setting is open Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 3.45pm, and on Friday from 9am to 3pm, during term time only. The setting is funded to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs seven staff, five of whom hold recognised early years qualifications at level 2 and above, including the manager, who has a level 6 qualification.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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

15 May 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