Millbrook Pre-School

Inspection of Millbrook Pre-School Village Hall, The Parade, Torpoint, Cornwall PL10 1AX

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children enjoy their time at the pre-school and feel safe with the friendly and welcoming staff. Staff talk to children about their experiences, such as their transition days at their new school. Children show a willingness to share their thoughts and confidently relay these to adults and peers alike.

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The provision is good

Staff have made improvements to their curriculum since the last inspection. They plan and implement educational activities that link closely to children's next steps of learning and development. Staff introduce new vocabulary, such as 'recycling'. They explain to children that this means 'to use it again'. For example, they tell children they can reuse the foil that their sandwiches have been wrapped in.

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The provision is good

Staff praise children often. When children comment, 'Look what I've made,' staff respond warmly, saying, 'I love your effort. That's awesome.' They talk to children about what they have created, such as models using bricks. Children show pride in their achievements and confidence in their abilities.

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The provision is good

Children develop their understanding of emotions. Staff read stories around feelings and talk to children about what these mean. Children label 'happy', 'sad', 'angry' and 'calm' effectively. They know to take deep breaths to help them relax if needed.

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need to do better?

n Staff implement daily adult-led groups. They play musical instruments and sing a song to help gather children on the carpet. Children learn about the days of the week, and staff encourage them to count how many people are in the group. They use their fingers well to represent numerals to support their mathematical development. n Children develop an understanding of risk. Staff teach them about road safety, and children know to stop at the kerb and check for traffic both ways. Children learn how to use the 'walking rope' that they hold on to during outings to help keep them safe. Children behave exceptionally well, always listening carefully to staff. They understand that staff must check the surrounding area for hazards before they go off and play to ensure their welfare. n Children enjoy free-play activities, such as playing with water and making pretend ice cream using play dough. Occasionally, the deployment of staff is not

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need to do better?

effective. While some staff prepare snack in the kitchen area, some children run around as staff do not actively engage with them. n Children develop strong language skills. They talk with their peers and staff as they walk alongside the river. Children identify different wildflowers, such as clover, and comment on the butterflies they see among the wild grass. When

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need to do better?

9 July 2025 children see a 'dandelion clock', they ask, 'Can I make a wish?' Children think of a positive affirmation before blowing the dandelion seeds, watching them float into the air. n Children develop good physical skills. They enjoy the freedom of running in the field and playing football with their peers. Others enjoy blowing bubbles and trying to catch and pop them. Staff encourage children to take regular drinks during exercise, informing them to stay hydrated. n Staff have formed effective partnerships with parents. They keep them informed about their child's learning and ways to support them at home. Staff implement a 'lending library' scheme where children can borrow books to take home to help support their early reading skills. n Children develop their coordination skills well. They learn how to throw beanbags into a hoop and cheer when they succeed. Occasionally, older children do not receive consistent challenges in their learning to build on their existing

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need to do better?

skills as staff support the younger children. Older children play among themselves for periods of time. n Staff implement regular singing sessions with children to help develop their confidence and communication skills. Children enjoy choosing props from the bag, and together they sing songs. Children benefit from positive interactions with peers and staff and develop their social skills effectively.

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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 deploy staff more effectively to help keep children actively engaged in learning n extend older children's learning, particularly during free-play activities, to build on their existing knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 102926 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10373455 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 11 Name of registered person Millbrook Pre-school Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01752656960 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Millbrook Pre-School registered in 1991 and operates in Millbrook, near Torpoint, Cornwall. The pre-school is open from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 12.45pm, term time only. There are two members of childcare staff who work at the pre- school. The manager holds a level 5 qualification and one member of staff holds a qualification at level 3. The pre-school receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at pre-school. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this is having on the children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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 July 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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