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Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)

The Shore Woolston

Inspected 12 Jun 2025 · published 17 Jul 2025 · URN 2736142

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Summary

What we read, and from where

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  • Group verified

    The Shore Pre-School Committee

  • Group reference verified

    RP525393

  • Inspection date verified

    12 Jun 2025

  • Inspectors verified

    Loretta Murphy

  • Behaviour and attitudes verified

    Good

  • Leadership and management verified

    Good

  • Overall effectiveness verified

    Good

  • Personal development verified

    Good

  • Quality of education verified

    Good

  • Postcode verified

    SO19 9FU

  • Name on report verified

    The Shore Woolston

  • URN verified

    2736142

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of the report

Deep dive

What this report says

In plain English

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Grade profile

Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.

  • OverallGood
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Leadership and managementGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • Quality of educationGood

79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).

Tone of the report

How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.

+82Very positivemore positive than 83% of reports of this type graded Good
OutstandingGoodRIInadequate

In line with other reports of this type graded Good.

Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.

Praisestrongeffectivelyexcellentpositiveconsistentlythriverespectfulextremely
Criticismgapsnot alwaysnot consistently

How the report reads, start to finish

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FindingsSafeguardingWhat needs to improveAbout the inspection positive critical
  • Findings728w+81
  • Safeguarding20w+50
  • What needs to improve18w+20

Strengths

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Concerns

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Next steps

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What the report dwells on

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Anatomy of the report

How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.

Pages
6
Words of findings
734
about usual (typical 803)
Reading level
Hard
Flesch 38, typical 54
Average sentence
15 words
Next steps
1
typical 2
Hedged sentences
6%
“some”, “not always”, “most”…

Where the words go

Findings 58%Safeguarding 2%What needs to improve 1%About the inspection 39%

Full report text

Inspection of The Shore Woolston Southampton Day Services, The Woolston Centre, Church Road, Southampton SO19 9FU

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Children demonstrate high levels of emotional security as they arrive at the setting. They are confident and self-assured, separating easily from their parents. Staff are attentive and welcoming, creating a nurturing atmosphere that supports children's personal, social and emotional development. Staff consistently support children to follow clear daily routines, which helps them to feel safe and secure and understand what to expect. For example, staff and children come together shortly after arrival for registration and greetings. This calm and structured start helps children settle quickly and prepares them for the day ahead.

p.2

The provision is good

Children benefit from a broad and interesting curriculum. Leaders plan a wide range of activities that build on children's interests and spark their curiosity. As a result, children become enthusiastic, motivated learners who are eager to explore and try new experiences. For example, children create their own campsite during imaginative play and become little explorers, eagerly searching for bugs and engaging in meaningful conversations with their peers.

p.2

The provision is good

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support from designated staff, who are knowledgeable and dedicated. They know each child extremely well and ensure that tailored support is in place to meet their individual needs. Staff work closely with parents and external professionals to create personalised learning plans that help children with SEND make good progress, ensuring they thrive alongside their peers. This strong partnership between staff and families contributes to a consistent approach to children's development at home and in the setting.

p.2

need to do better?

n The curriculum is ambitious and clearly sequenced across the setting. Leaders have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn and how this builds over time. However, this intent is not always consistently reflected in staff's interactions. At times, staff do not extend children's learning beyond their initial play interests, missing opportunities to deepen understanding. Despite this, staff speak confidently about children's starting points, next steps and the progress they make, demonstrating a secure knowledge of individual children's development. n Staff benefit from a range of opportunities to enhance their professional development. In addition to completing mandatory training, they are encouraged to pursue areas of personal interest, such as training on children's sleep patterns. Leaders place a strong emphasis on staff's well-being and morale. They foster a positive team culture through regular team-building activities and

p.2

need to do better?

celebratory events, such as afternoon tea, which help staff feel valued and

p.2

need to do better?

12 June 2025 appreciated. n Staff support children well in developing their communication and language skills. Staff work effectively to identify children who may need additional support. When needed, children are swiftly referred to external professionals, such as speech and language therapists. All staff receive training in signing, such as Makaton, which helps them to communicate more effectively with children and promote inclusive practice across the setting. n Leaders use additional funding effectively to meet individual children's needs and close gaps in learning and development. They carefully consider how funding can have the most significant impact. For example, they have invested in climbing apparatus to promote physical development and purchased resources that support children's early understanding of technology. n Staff promote positive behaviour effectively and act as strong role models for

p.2

need to do better?

children. They consistently reinforce expectations by reminding children about respectful behaviour, such as taking turns and sharing. As a result, children behave well, show consideration for others and follow rules and routines with confidence. n Staff provide children with consistent opportunities throughout the day to develop their independence skills. For example, children are encouraged to put on their own coats and shoes in preparation for outdoor play. Staff also use imaginative role-play to teach children how to prepare food and drinks, while helping them understand how to stay safe in a kitchen environment. These experiences support children's confidence and readiness for the next stage in their learning. n Relationships between staff and parents are trusting and respectful. Regular updates and communication keep parents well informed about their children's progress. They speak highly of leaders and staff, particularly valuing the support

p.3

need to do better?

provided to help close any gaps in children's learning and development. This strong partnership contributes positively to children's overall progress and well- being.

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 support staff to implement the curriculum intentions more precisely to build on children's existing knowledge and skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2736142 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10398521 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 47 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person The Shore Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02380444414 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

The Shore Woolston registered in 2023 and is located in the Woolston Centre, Southampton, Hampshire. The provider opens Monday to Friday, between 8.15am and 3.30pm, term time only. It employs 14 members of staff, of whom 12 hold relevant childcare qualifications from level 2 to level 5. The provider is eligible to receive funding to provide free early education for children aged from two to four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the provision and discussed the early years curriculum on offer. n Parents and children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. 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 The inspector and the deputy manager carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision.

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

12 June 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

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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

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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