Clanfield Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is good

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at pre-school. They know the routines and settle quickly to their learning and play.

For example, when they arrive for the start of a session, they are warmly greeted by staff and select an envelope with their name and post it in a red box. They choose from a range of interesting activities. The pre-school has a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

All staff set high expectations of how children should behave and have established strong relationships with them. Children are safe in the setting and grow in confidence. They are well behaved and treat others with kindness and respect..../>
Children are eager to participate in the interesting learning activities provided. They show curiosity, determination and independence in their learning. For example, children had great fun with imaginative play in the outdoor mud kitchen.

They prepared different pretend foods and cooked them in the oven. Parents comment that the pre-school staff are approachable and know the children well. They say communication is good and they know what their children are learning.

Staff respond well to children's individual needs. Staff work well with other agencies and providers. Children are well prepared for school.

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

The manager has vision and the determination to provide a well-planned curriculum that enables all children to achieve as well. All staff work well together and strive to provide high-quality education and care.Effective action has tackled the improvement points from the previous inspection.

Good-quality training and support from the local authority have contributed to these improvements. For example, staff have strengthened assessment procedures and have a clearer understanding of what children know and can do. They use this information to plan the next steps of children's learning.

Members of the committee provide good support and constructive challenge. They have a good understanding of how well the pre-school is doing. They attend staff training sessions and have checked improvements.

The key-person system, where each member of staff oversees a small group of children, is a strength. The key person knows each child well. In planning activities, good account is taken of children's interests and needs.

Most-able children and those who need additional support are well provided for and make good progress.Professional development, including online training, has had a positive impact on practice. An assistant manager deals with administrative matters.

This arrangement enables the practitioners to focus on teaching and learning. Assessment systems are manageable and useful.There have been good improvements in mathematics since the last inspection.

Children access a range of good-quality apparatus and equipment to help their learning. For example, they sorted shapes and used them to construct towers. They are developing language of size, such as 'big', 'tall' and 'short'.

Children use simple instruments to measure length and time.All staff interact and engage with children. They listen attentively to children and talk about their learning.

They model language effectively and children gain new vocabulary. However, not all staff are skilled in asking challenging questions to extend children's thinking and learning.Children are presented with interesting activities to help them learn about different people and communities.

For instance, in celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, children made clay divas. They selected different paints and glitter to decorate their diva pots. Children enjoyed the story of Rama and Sita.

They tasted Indian foods such as basmati rice, korma curry and samosas. Children were adventurous and willing to try new things.The manager and staff have made improvements to planning learning activities and to the learning resources.

Further improvements are planned to enhance the learning experiences for children who prefer to play outside.Staff provide children with regular healthy snacks. Children are well mannered when offered food and drink.

Good hygiene routines are established. Children have good opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities for the safeguarding of children. They know what to do if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. The manager ensures that all staff keep their knowledge of safeguarding up to date through regular training.

The manager and staff take effective steps to ensure that children are safe in the setting. Effective recruitment procedures help to ensure that new staff are suitably qualified and safe to work with children.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: make greater use of opportunities to consistently challenge and extend children's learning and development, and help them make the best possible progress nenhance activities and experiences outdoors, to challenge and extend the learning of children who prefer to play outside.

Also at this postcode