Alpha Pre School

Inspection of Alpha Pre School Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road, Freshbrook, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8NU

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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 are happy, safe and secure. Staff know children well and focus on creating strong bonds with them. Staff understand how this helps children's learning and development. Staff have developed a strong routine for children to understand. Children self-register by hanging their name label on the branch of a pretend tree. Older children set an alarm clock that lets children know when it is time to create a circle for a group time. Children explain to their friends that they have set the clock to make a noise in five minutes. Children develop physical skills as they move their bodies to music. Older children remember what day it is and which month, showing strong memory skills. Children are kind to others. They are confident and greet new people with big smiles. During group times, children take part in a song where they welcome all the children to the setting. Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour. Children are good at taking turns and waiting patiently. When

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The provision is good

younger children have trouble sharing toys, staff help them understand how their actions impact others.

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The provision is good

Staff have created a good curriculum that prepares children well for their next stage of learning. Children make good progress in their learning and development. Children are curious, and older children stay engaged in activities for long periods. They use white paint and egg boxes to make a pretend set of teeth. This helps them develop their imagination skills, while staff talk to children about dental hygiene and why daily toothbrushing is important.

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need to do better?

n Staff read to children often. Children listen to staff read a story about toilet training. Staff read using animated and interesting voices. As a result, children listen and engage. Older children enjoy sitting in quiet areas and looking through books. They explore the images and words they see on the pages. Staff attend courses to learn engaging reading techniques, which supports them to enhance their reading styles and inspire children to love books and reading. n Staff hold rich conversations with most children, helping them build a broad vocabulary. They support children in recalling what they know and can do. During snack times, staff help children explore a pineapple. They learn where it grows and that it feels 'spiky'. Staff speak in calm voices and give children time to think and respond. However, staff do not always provide targeted support for children who speak English as an additional language to enhance their language

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need to do better?

and communication skills even more. n Staff support children to learn about their local community. They go on walks to the local woodland to learn about nature and the seasons. They visit the nearby post office and local shops to learn about the local community. Staff decorate the pre-school walls with photos of local sights. This helps children better

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 understand their community. However, staff do not support children to understand and celebrate their similarities and differences and to learn about religions and cultures that differ from their own. n Children develop independence skills as they bring the plates, cups and snacks of cut apples and bananas to the snack table. Children serve themselves their snack. Young children develop hand strength as they pour milk into their cups. After snack times, children wash their bowls and plates without reminders. However, children have sugary drinks and processed foods in their packed lunches. Staff do not work closely enough with parents to help children make healthy food choices. n At the time of inspection, staff did not hold valid paediatric first-aid certificates, which is a breach of statutory requirements. However, leaders have taken prompt action by booking all staff onto appropriate training and have committed

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need to do better?

to ensuring future compliance. Despite the lapse in certification, staff demonstrate sound knowledge of paediatric first-aid procedures and remain informed through online updates. Leaders promote the value of ongoing professional development effectively, which positively influences children's learning. n Parents' feedback is positive. Parents report that their children's needs are met. Staff guide parents on childcare issues, such as toilet training. Parents say communication is effective and that they feel well informed about children's activities. n Staff have made improvements since the last inspection. Staff have received targeted support to improve the quality of their teaching. They implement an ambitious curriculum that meets children's developmental needs and supports children to make the best possible progress in their learning.

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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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Due date

ensure that all staff maintain valid paediatric first-aid certificates at all times to meet statutory requirements. 06/10/2025

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should:

n review the strategies in place to support children who speak English as an additional language to further support their language and communication skills even more n develop staff's skills in planning a curriculum to support children to understand and celebrate their similarities and differences and to learn more about religions and cultures that differ from their own n work more closely with parents to support children in developing healthy choices around food.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY408710 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10381618 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 15 Name of registered person Alpha Pre School Freshbrook Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 07468436852 Date of previous inspection 12 December 2024

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Information about this early years setting

Alpha Pre School registered in 2010. It operates from a room in Freshbrook Community Centre in West Swindon. The pre-school operates from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, term time only. There are three members of staff who work with the children. Of these, one holds a level 5 qualification and two hold relevant qualifications at level 3. The nursery offers government-funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on the children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk of the pre-school. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity, and they evaluated this together. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n Parents shared their views of the pre-school with the inspector.

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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

23 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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