Dodleston Pre-School

Inspection of Dodleston Pre-School Village Hall, Pulford Lane, Dodleston, CHESTER CH4 9NN

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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

Children settle with ease and develop close attachments with staff in this bright and welcoming pre-school. Staff are nurturing and supportive and help children to feel safe and emotionally secure. They place a strong emphasis on getting to know children and their families when they first start and instil values of kindness and respect. Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging and form secure attachments with the staff. This helps to support their emotional well-being.

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The provision is good

Staff provide an exciting curriculum based on their knowledge of what children need to learn. Children relish their time outside. They demonstrate good physical dexterity as they climb and balance on play equipment and consider their own risks as they assess how high they can climb. Children laugh infectiously with their friends as they pour water into large tubs of soil, commenting that they have 'made a mud bath'. Staff interactions with children are carefully considered. They give clear and consistent behavioural messages, and children are learning to listen well and respect one another. Children form close friendships, become deeply engrossed in their play and are thoughtful and caring towards their friends.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are committed to providing a high standard of care and education for children in the local community. The pre-school has been at the heart of the village for many years, and parents speak fondly about the nurturing staff and the support they receive. Leaders act with integrity in using the funding the setting receives and go above and beyond to provide a flexible and inclusive service to all families. n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a change in manager at the setting. This oversight was swiftly addressed during the inspection. On this occasion, there was no impact on children. This is largely because an existing member of staff whose suitability has been assured was promoted. n Children access a broad and balanced curriculum that helps to ensure that they embed skills across all areas of learning. Staff follow children's interests and provide plenty of opportunities for children to freely explore and lead their own

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need to do better?

learning. This helps to promote good progress for all children. n Staff model good manners and expected behaviours very well and provide lots of opportunities for developing children's confidence and character. However, at times, they complete tasks for the children that they could be carrying out for themselves. This does not consistently promote their independence. n Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children's communication and language skills. They read with enthusiasm, and children delight in the interactive way that story times are delivered. Staff successfully build on children's recall of existing knowledge to extend their vocabulary, and children

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need to do better?

9 May 2025 are demonstrating good progress in this area. n Partnership working is a strength due to the well-established links with local schools and external professionals. Transitions are seamless, and children are confident to move on to their next stages. These secure partnerships help to ensure that all children receive the relevant support and interventions to help them make good progress. n Many of the children attend other settings as well as the pre-school. However, leaders have not prioritised forging professional links with the other settings that children also attend. This does not contribute towards a consistent approach to children's care and learning. n Leaders are highly appreciative of the staff and place a strong emphasis on their well-being. A regular programme of supervision and targeted training aims to enhance the quality of education provided. Strong teamwork and shared high aspirations for children are at the heart of this pre-school. As a result, staff feel

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need to do better?

valued and work diligently to ensure that the pre-school provides a safe environment where children can thrive.

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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 provide more opportunities for children to gain independence and carry out routine tasks for themselves n strengthen partnerships with any other settings that children also attend to help to promote greater consistency in children's care and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 305044 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10380681 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 24 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Dodleston Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07938465435 or 01244 661611 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Dodleston Pre-School opened in 1981 and is located in Dodleston, Chester. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager, who has qualifications at levels 6 and 7. The pre-school operates on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3.15pm during term time only. It provides funded early education.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, both indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector had a learning walk of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with staff, committee members and the children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager and the inspector discussed how the curriculum has been implemented and the impact that this has had on the children's learning. n The inspector looked at a sample of relevant records and documentation, including evidence of staff's suitability and training. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety, security and suitability of the premises.

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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

9 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.

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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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