Potterspury Pre-School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are potentially compromised. Not all staff understand how to respond in the event of a safeguarding concern.

Policies and procedures linked to safeguarding lack necessary detail. All records and procedures required for the safe management of children's health and education are not currently in place. A lack of effective communication between the management and staff team has led to weaknesses in the delivery of the curriculum and low staff morale.

The management team do not identify weaknesses in teaching practice or provide effective support and coaching for staff. Consequently, chi...ldren are not consistently supported to build on what they already know and can do. Despite these weaknesses, children are happy to attend and enjoy playing with the equipment available to them.

Children enjoy being outdoors, where they gain fresh air and exercise to help keep them fit and healthy. Older children ably balance on tyres, ride wheeled toys and negotiate space safely. Overall, staff know the children well and ensure that the environment reflects their needs, however, any learning is incidental.

They are kind and caring with the children and help them build secure attachments. Children enjoy singing songs and rhymes. As they sing, they follow staff's instructions, enthusiastically joining in actions as they lie on the floor and then jump up and move their bodies in time to the words.

Children learn to behave well and become independent in managing their personal hygiene in readiness for their move to school. They develop good small-muscle skills as they scoop mud and pretend to make cakes and cups of tea. Children share what they have 'made' with staff and visitors.

Staff support children to develop a love of reading as they share stories with children daily. Older children build conversational skills as they predict what will happen next.

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

The management team do not ensure the staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding.

Staff are not clear on the action to take in the event of a safeguarding concern and they are not able to recognise all potential risks to children. Some concerns previously identified and recorded by staff have not been actioned by the management team or reported to the relevant agencies. Consequently, all necessary steps are not being taken to ensure children's safety.

The management and staff teams do not work cohesively together to ensure that the learning needs of the children are understood and met. There are grievances amongst the team, which some staff say have left them feeling unsure of what is expected of them. Although there is a curriculum in place, not all staff understand how to implement this to ensure children make the progress they are capable of.

When some children are seen to wander and not engage in activities, some staff do attempt to engage these children and help them to learn. As a result, there are inconsistencies in the progress children make.The manager and the committee do not monitor staff's practice closely enough.

Staff are offered ongoing supervision meetings. However, gaps in the staff's teaching practice and safeguarding knowledge have not been identified to ensure the quality of children's care and education.The progress check for children aged two years has not been completed for every child who should have had one.

This is a requirement and may delay children receiving any additional support should this be needed.The manager and staff do not consistently seek written consent from parents for the safe administration of medication. Furthermore, care plans are not in place regarding children's health and the safe administration of prescription drugs.

The management team are unsure whether specific training is needed before administering some medicines children require. These oversights may delay children receiving the medication they need, impacting their health and well-being.Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who need extra help well.

They liaise well with parents to ensure each child's needs are known and understood. The manager liaises with outside agencies to ensure children receive appropriate funding in order to get the support they need.Children learn to behave well.

Staff encourage children to be polite and to share the toys and equipment with their friends. When children snatch or squabble over toys, staff remind them of the need to share and take turns and show them how to do this. Staff offer praise and encouragement when children show positive behaviours, which helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.There is not 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 ensure staff understand and implement robust safeguarding procedures, including maintaining records and sharing concerns with other agencies 29/07/2024 review and update the pre-school's safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with the guidance of the local safeguarding partnership 29/07/2024 ensure the curriculum is implemented effectively to build on what children already know and can do 05/08/2024 ensure all staff receive the coaching and support they need to further raise the quality of teaching and promote ongoing teamwork, sensitive discussions, and professional development 29/07/2024 ensure the progress check at age two is completed for all children and seek appropriate support for those children who may not be making the progress they are capable of 05/08/2024 obtain written consent from parents/carers to administer medications to children and ensure that any necessary training needed for the safe administration of specific medications is completed.

29/07/2024

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