Swaffham Preschool Playgroup

Inspection of Swaffham Preschool Playgroup Brandon Road, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7EA

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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 thrive in this warm and welcoming pre-school. Learning opportunities for children are plentiful and staff plan fun and interesting activities. Staff interact with children in a calm and relaxed manner, helping them to feel happy, safe and secure in their environment. Staff help children to build their confidence and cheerful outlook on life. Children are curious and willing to have a go. They develop close relationships with their peers, playing together happily and showing kindness and consideration to each other. For example, children help to push in their friend on their chair when they see them struggle to reach the table. With the guidance of staff, children are learning to resolve their own conflicts, and they understand the need to share and take turns with their friends.

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The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the pre-school. They express their thoughts and opinions to staff confidently and articulately in their play. Children are provided with a wide range of activities that support them to use their senses and be creative. They follow a recipe to make dough and engage in experiments to learn how rain clouds are formed. Children use their imagination to turn pots and pans into musical instruments, relishing the very loud sound they make. Children are physically active. They balance well on different sized logs as they hop from one to the other with little support needed from the staff, who constantly praise and encourage them.

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need to do better?

n Staff plan well for children's learning. They fully consider children's interests and learning needs that help them to build on what they already know and can do. There is a clear focus on building children's independence and helping them to understand their emotions. Children are making substantial progress and are well equipped for starting school. n Staff are knowledgeable about the subject matters they teach and deliver activities in fun and interesting ways. They give clear explanations and encourage children to think, and problem solve for themselves. For example, during story time staff ask suitable questions to help children recall what they have heard and encourage them to think about how they may wish to build their train track in the garden. n Staff provide good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and know the children and their families well. Children play in a

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need to do better?

learning environment that consistently meets their needs. Targeted support plans are in place and regularly reviewed. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to help children make good progress while attending the pre- school. n Parents are well informed about their children's time in the setting. For example,

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need to do better?

25 June 2025 through daily feedback and three parents' evenings each year. Activities such as a book lending library and shared baking recipes help parents support learning at home. Parents say they are happy with the care provided. n Stories are a key part of daily practice, helping to promote children's communication and language skills. There is a strong emphasis on developing a love of reading, both in the pre-school and at home. Older children engage in conversation and ask questions to develop their knowledge. They have good opportunities to see and recognise their name, and practise sounds that letters represent through fun songs and actions. n Children follow and understand the rules and routines of the pre-school. They learn to take care of their own care needs, such as toileting and dressing themselves. Children learn skills that will help them be independent when they start school. For example, how to undo packets and zip and unzip their lunch

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need to do better?

box at mealtimes. n Staff identify professional development opportunities that help them to gain knowledge and improve practice. Leaders occasionally monitor staff's practice so that it also helps to inform training needs. However, although staff say they enjoy working at the setting, staff's frequency and experience of supervisions are mixed and at times they do not foster a positive culture of support and coaching for all staff in the team.

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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 improve supervisions so that they consistently foster a positive culture of support and coaching for all staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY449937 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10410717 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 30 Number of children on roll 48 Name of registered person Swaffham Pre School Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01760721114 Date of previous inspection 9 July 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Swaffham Preschool Playgroup registered in 2012. The pre-school employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6 and level 3. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 8.15am until 3.45pm, during term time only. The pre-school provides funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n 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 deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. 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

25 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.

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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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