Holbrook and District Pre-school Playgroup

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision requires improvement Children eagerly enter the pre-school with an air of confidence when greeted by the incredibly friendly and nurturing staff. Children are extremely relaxed and happy. The management team does not ensure Ofsted is notified in a timely way, of changes to members of the management committee.

However, the risk to children is minimal as these committee members have no access to children's details or to children themselves.Teaching is of good quality. Staff empower children to negotiate risk as they learn to use scissors safely, with appropriate levels of support from staff.

Staff are excellent role models and consistently spea...k to children calmly and respectfully. Therefore, children imitate these courteous behaviours and frequently display polite manners to their peers and adults. Children are kind and thoughtful.

For example, a child notices their peer's sun hat on a log and picks it up. The staff member explains whose hat it is, and the child generously says they will look after it until they come outdoors to play. Staff provide meaningful praise for this act of kindness, which builds children's self-esteem and motivates them to repeat these considerate behaviours.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

Some of the committee members details, including their Disclosure and Barring Service checks, to enable the suitability assessment process to be completed have not been provided to Ofsted. The management team intend to immediately ensure they fulfil their duty to meet this statutory requirement of the early years foundation stage. Furthermore, the committee have failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event, but this has not had an impact on the safety or welfare of children.

A robust key-person system and regular assessments, ensures that all children make significant progress from their starting points. Staff use children's interests and stage of development to extend learning in fun ways. Parents are complimentary of the care their children receive and appreciate regular communication, which helps them further their child's learning at home.

On a warm day, diligent staff ensure babies and young children stay hydrated. They encourage them to regularly drink water and keep their sun hat on when outdoors. Staff are continuously attentive to children's individual needs,.

As a result, children listen intently to them and begin to make positive choices themselves that support their overall well-being.Children develop a love of reading. They show high levels of concentration and make connections through stories being read to them.

For example, a child explains that a hula-hoop is like the belt a man was wearing in the story. On occasion, staff do not always focus enough on children's natural curiosities that emerge during stories and imaginative play, to extend their knowledge and deepen their understanding of topics that interest them.Mealtimes are sociable and promote healthy eating habits.

Babies and children become increasingly independent in their self-care needs. They delight in singing merry rhymes that help them understand and carry out tasks independently, such as washing hands before eating.Staff continually build on what children know and can do while championing their individuality.

For example, some children prefer learning through nature, and they are encouraged to draw patterns on some large leaves. Children are highly motivated and become engrossed in this child-centred activity. Additionally, children are developing their hand-eye coordination while practising holding the pen with control.

This activity effectively supports their early writing skills in preparation for their transition to school.Children make rapid progress in their speech and language development. Babies delight in a language rich environment where they attempt to say words to familiar nursery rhymes and stories that are read to them.

Children with delayed speech and language benefit from effective targeted interventions delivered by trained staff. Children also learn Makaton to help them to communicate.Outdoor play is plentiful and supports healthy lifestyles.

Children freely express themselves and develop their imagination when fully immersed in nature. They learn to play cooperatively and make strong friendships when staff encourage them to work together to make a train track out of loose wooden parts.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date take action to improve knowledge of the notification requirements, ensuring Ofsted are notified of any significant events that may affect the suitability of the provider 22/07/2024 improve the knowledge of the processes relating to providing Ofsted with information regarding new committee members, so suitability checks can be completed.22/07/2024 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: support staff to build upon their already good interactions with children to extend discussions about children's curiosities and ideas during play to further support learning in all areas.

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