Willowfield Pre-School Limited

Inspection of Willowfield Pre-School Limited Steepleview Community Hall, Laindon, BASILDON, Essex SS15 4EQ

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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

Staff provide a nurturing, well-organised and stimulating environment where children make excellent progress. Staff demonstrate warmth, professionalism and a clear understanding of early childhood development. They successfully support children's personal development, behaviour and independence. Children demonstrate consistently positive behaviour and attitudes. They show confidence in the setting and form secure attachments with familiar staff, running to them for cuddles and comfort.

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The provision is good

Children listen carefully to instructions and follow routines well, such as lining up to wash their hands. They understand the importance of hand hygiene and use soap with confidence. Staff provide clear explanations, for instance, about the use of gloves to prevent the spread of germs. Snack time is a calm and social occasion where children are given choices. Children use tongs to serve themselves, developing independence and coordination.

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models. They guide behaviour calmly and respectfully, reminding children about safety and patience. When disagreements arise, staff intervene gently, encouraging children to be kind and to share. Children are enthusiastic and engaged in their play. They work cooperatively, passing balls during football or playing side by side making potions. They show increasing independence and take pride in their achievements, which are celebrated through praise from kind and caring staff.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from a well-planned curriculum that promotes essential skills across the prime and specific areas of learning. Planning is purposeful and tailored to support children's individual development. n Activities, such as painting, potion-making and using tongs at snack time, help to strengthen children's fine motor skills. Children enjoy a broad range of physical activities. Outdoors, they move energetically and skilfully, using equipment such as slides and balls. n Family collaboration is embedded in the curriculum. For example, the garden project involved all families and children. The space supports children's understanding of the natural world and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. Children know their own plants and take care of them. They confidently explore textures and scents. Children develop their senses through real-life experiences, such as using herbs in the mixing kitchen.

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need to do better?

n Children's interests shape the direction of the curriculum. For example, children's enquiries about ladybirds lead to topics where their initial fears were sensitively addressed through guided teaching and child-led enquiry. This resulted in

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need to do better?

16 July 2025 sustained learning about insects and empathy for living things. Children remember that ladybirds come in many colours and have spots. n Staff skilfully extend children's learning through play. During a storytelling session, staff use expressive voices and props to bring the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' to life. Children are highly engaged and remember characters and story elements. Staff weave in mathematical concepts, such as height and number. n The environment supports children's independence through routines, such as self-registration and access to a water station. Environmental print and tools in the mud kitchen extend language and literacy opportunities while embedding real-life skills. Staff understand the diverse needs of children. For instance, they offer different creative materials, such as play dough, painting and colouring, to support children's early writing skills. n Children who are disadvantaged or children with special educational needs

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need to do better?

and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff work closely with specialist staff. They use strategies, such as small-group interventions and visual aids, to support children's communication and language development. n Children are encouraged to problem-solve and show perseverance. Staff provide support with tasks, such as removing leaves from a toy toaster or putting on aprons. However, sometimes, they intervene too quickly, which removes opportunities for children to attempt these independently and build resilience. n There is a strong and purposeful partnership with parents, who say that their children are happy and safe. They feel that their children are making excellent progress across all areas of development, especially in communication, confidence and social skills. They describe the setting as 'loving', 'homely' and 'very welcoming'. n Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to children's learning and

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need to do better?

development. This is underpinned by effective tracking, high levels of parental engagement and a clear focus on staff development. Leadership is reflective and responsive, and leaders act on recommendations to drive continuous improvement.

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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 continue to develop strategies to best support children's problem-solving skills and resilience.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY439639 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10394656 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 42 Name of registered person Willowfield Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07891036905 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Willowfield Pre-School Limited registered in 2011 and is located in Basildon, Essex. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an early years foundation degree at level 5, and seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The pre-school opens from 9am until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9am to 2pm on Wednesday. The pre-school provides funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The 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 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 viewed a sample of documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

16 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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