The Preschool Group

Inspection of The Preschool Group St Philip's Church Hall, Evington Road, Leicester LE2 1QJ

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children arrive happily at the setting and show excitement as they enter the hall and engage with the range of activities on offer. Children new to the setting quickly settle as they are warmly greeted by staff and their friends. Staff know children and families well and understand children's individual needs. Staff encourage children to use their home languages as they play and give them regular praise and encouragement. This helps children to feel secure and valued. Children learn to behave well as staff give clear messages to help children understand how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, staff consistently remind children not to run around the tables in case they fall and hurt themselves.

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The provision is good

Staff provide a calm and organised environment, where children confidently explore and make their own choices about learning and play. A broad range of activities help children to build on their skills and make progress in all areas of learning. Staff engage children well by getting down at their level and joining in their play. When looking at books, staff ask questions to support children's interaction with the story. They carefully model language so children can hear and repeat new words. This helps to extend children's interest and encourages them to extend their communication skills and vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have worked hard since the last inspection to address the actions raised. Staff training and development has been targeted effectively to help staff further develop their approach to behaviour management. In addition, staff have given particular focus to improving the curriculum and strengthening their interactions with children. This ensures children are engaged in their activities and gain the most from the learning on offer. n Effective communication with parents contributes to children receiving a consistent approach to their care and learning. Staff share daily feedback with parents, so they know how their child has been and what they have been doing. Key persons ensure parents receive regular updates on children's progress. They help parents to continue children's learning at home by suggesting activities and sharing ideas. Parents value the way staff work closely with families to help

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need to do better?

children settle quickly. n Staff promote children's exploration and creative skills. Children have immense fun as they use their hands and tools to kneed and shape play dough. They show fascination as they study the patterns they have created in the dough. They develop their imaginative play as they create food to share with their friends and use descriptive language when talking about different tastes and smells. n Staff are positive role models and encourage children to develop their

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need to do better?

5 September 2025 independence skills. Children learn how to take care of their own needs by washing their hands, wiping their noses and opening packets and boxes at lunchtime. Children learn to share and take turns when playing with others. This helps to prepare children well for the next stage in their learning at school. n Staff have implemented effective strategies to support children's language skills. They regularly read stories and sing songs and engage children in conversation. For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities or who are in the early stages of learning English, staff use visual resources, signs and gestures to help children to make sense of the environment and the routines. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure all children make progress. n Overall, staff provide good support for children's physical development. Children have ample opportunities to practise their fine motor skills. They use chalks

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need to do better?

outside and delight in drawing pictures and shapes. Staff extend children's learning by modelling mathematical language as they compare sizes and name shapes. However, staff do not always ensure there is a suitable range of activities during sessions to promote children's large motor skills. n Staff give high regard to ensuring children's safety. Robust risk assessments are in place and staff are extremely vigilant when monitoring the front door at arrival and collection times to ensure children are safe and protected. Staff sit with and support children effectively at mealtimes. They check to make sure food is cut up appropriately to minimise the risk of choking.

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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 strengthen the planning of activities for physical development to further support the development of children's large motor skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 258305 Local authority Leicester Inspection number 10411627 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person The Pre - School Group Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07960942787 Date of previous inspection 5 June 2025

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Information about this early years setting

The Preschool Group registered in 1992 and is situated in Leicester, Leicestershire. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and two are qualified to level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time. Sessions are from 9am until 3.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working at the pre-school. 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.

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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

5 September 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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