Whiteshill Preschool Playgroup

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in the leadership and management of the pre-school impact on the welfare of children. The committee do not have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. For example, they do not monitor staff practice to ensure that all staff, including those with management responsibilities, have the skills they need to be able to fulfil their duties.

This has a negative impact on the care and education children receive.Many staff have a weak understanding of how children learn. This means that they do not support children to build on what they already know and can do to help ensure they make good progress..../>
The provider identifies the weaknesses in teaching practice and is accessing support from the local authority to help improve the delivery of the curriculum. However, improvements are yet to be seen and the quality of education is poor.The strategies that staff use to support children's behaviour are not effective.

For example, when children do not use scissors appropriately, staff take them away without explaining why and children become upset. Staff are not consistent in managing children's behaviour. This results in children being unsure of what is expected of them and does not promote a positive attitude towards learning and behaviour.

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

The committee do not have oversight of the pre-school. As a result, they do not take appropriate action to ensure that all staff undertake their roles effectively. When concerns are raised about the practice of staff, they do not act to support, coach and manage their performance to help ensure children receive high-quality care and education.

Leaders do not make sure that there is a capable and competent person in charge of the pre-school at all times. As a result, staff do not receive the support and guidance they need to be able to fulfil their responsibilities, implement the curriculum or interact with children in a way that supports their progress.The committee does not ensure that new members are notified to Ofsted.

This means that the relevant checks have not been conducted to ensure that they are suitable to work with children.Staff state that those with management responsibility are making some positive changes for the children who attend the pre-school. Staff have received recent curriculum training as a team, however, this has not yet had the desired impact.

For example, staff sit with children as they explore with diggers and rice but do not model play or use language that is appropriate for children's levels of development. As a result, children who play with this activity repetitively tip and pour rice for long periods of time or lose interest.The provider is beginning to build close working relationships with parents to support children's development.

Staff with management responsibility liaise with local schools to share information about children to help them to transition from pre-school.Staff do not always help children to understand what is expected of them to help them learn to manage their own behaviour. When children run indoors or get up from the table during mealtimes, staff ask them not to, but do not help them to understand why this is important or the consequences their actions may have.

Furthermore, during routine tasks, some children become confused and upset because they do not know what is happening next. For example, some staff do not use effective strategies to make younger children aware when it is time to have their nappies changed, children run away from staff, some staff then pick up children and carry them to the bathroom without helping them to understand what is happening and why.Children have good relationships with their peers and staff.

In the garden, children hold hands, giggle and run together. Children create pictures with watercolour paints. When they finish, they are eager to show staff their creations and beam with happiness at the praise they receive.

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, the provider must: Due date ensure that the committee have clear oversight of the pre-school and monitor the practice of all staff to ensure they are providing effective care and education for children 29/08/2024 ensure there is a capable and competent person present to lead the setting at all times 29/08/2024 implement a meaningful curriculum and ensure staff have the support they need to provide good-quality learning experiences for all children 29/08/2024 ensure staff manage children's behaviour effectively to help them understand what is expected of them and the consequences their actions may have on themselves and others.

29/08/2024