Springboard Pre-School

Inspection of Springboard Pre-School Springfield Park Baptist Church, Springfield Park Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6EB

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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

Children excitedly arrive at pre-school and demonstrate that they are keen and eager to explore the activities provided. They are welcomed warmly by happy staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. The pre-school has a holistic approach to the curriculum and staff invest time in getting to know children and their families well before they start. Children leave their parents with ease. Children who are new to the pre-school soon become familiar with the vibrant, warm and homely environment. Displays of their art work, along with opportunities for them to register their attendance on arrival, give children a sense of belonging and self- worth.

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The provision is good

The educational programme provides many worthwhile experiences to enable all children to make good progress. The new management team and staff work well together. Children are motivated to learn and are fully engaged. The session runs seamlessly and there is a calm and harmonious atmosphere throughout. Children are provided with an ambitious, broad curriculum, which is designed to follow their interests, build on what they already know and introduce seasonal themes. For example, children enthusiastically explore trays of autumnal treasures, such as conkers, leaves and acorns. Children are familiar with the high expectations of the pre-school. These are modelled well by the nurturing staff, who offer children lots of praise and reassurance for their efforts. Children demonstrate that they are confident, and their behaviour is good.

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need to do better?

n The quality of teaching is good. The management and staff team are committed to providing children with quality care and education. They work closely together. There is a culture of using evaluations to improve the outcomes of all children attending. Managers are passionate about their roles and have a clear vision and plans in place for future developments. n Children make good progress in their speech and language development. Quality interactions and use of language modelled by the staff mean that children learn new words to extend their vocabulary, such as 'excavating' when they use diggers and cranes in the sand. They talk about the bumpy patterns they make in dough. Children thoroughly enjoy spontaneous singing and stories, and demonstrate good listening skills. n Children learn the importance of fresh air and exercise through everyday routines. They make decisions as to where they play. The garden is popular and

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need to do better?

very inviting. The activities provided capture children's interest. For example, they use their imagination and develop confidence as they sing on the stage. They giggle as they use instruments, but also listen carefully to the beats and rhythm of the sounds they make. Children join in yoga sessions and show

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need to do better?

19 September 2025 sustained concentration as they follow the moves and instructions. n A sharp focus is given to support children's well-being. Stories and activities help children to learn how to express their feeling and emotions and regulate their behaviour. Children are supported well and are learning how to resolve any conflict as they play. They learn new words to express how they feel. For example, children independently suggest that they use a timer when they find it difficult to share resources. n Children access resources and books that reflect similarities and differences. As part of the pre-school ethos, they learn to respect one another. The curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn about different cultures. However, there are fewer opportunities for children to increase their awareness of the local community in which they live and the natural world around them. n Children demonstrate that they feel safe in their environment. This is because an

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need to do better?

effective key-person system is in place. Staff form close, trusting bonds with children. Staff ensure that settling-in sessions are tailored to children's individual needs. Parents are encouraged to share what they know about their children. However, systems to routinely share children's progress and to support learning at home are not yet fully embedded. n Staff work well as a team. Managers ensure that their staff's welfare is fully considered. They welcome and value their individual skills and contributions. Staff comment that their own professional development is supported. They feel motivated and enjoy their time at work. This has a positive impact for the children. n Parents speak highly of the warm and friendly team of staff. They comment that their children make very good progress, settle well and look forward to their days at pre-school.

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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 provide more opportunities within the curriculum for children to learn and understand the wider world and community in which they live n strengthen and support opportunities for parents to continue children's learning at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 402055 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10399450 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 25 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Springboard Preschool Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07735837203 Date of previous inspection 3 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Springboard Pre-School registered in 1975 and is situated in Chelmsford, Essex. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. Two members of staff hold qualified teacher status. During term time, the pre-school opens Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.15am until 12.15pm. On Tuesday, it opens from 9.15am until 3.15pm. In the summer term, on Monday it opens from 9.15am until 3.15pm. The pre-school provides government funded early education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The managers and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed the curriculum and what it is that the team want the children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n Parents provided the inspector with oral feedback at the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke with the staff team during the inspection. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of the 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

19 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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