Preschool told to improve by Ofsted

A FRAMPTON Cotterell pre-school says staff are working hard to make changes after their first visit from Ofsted in six years.

Organisers of Zion Community Preschool say they are taking on board feedback from the inspection last November and working with the local authority to make improvements.

Inspector Louise King said the preschool at Zion United Church Hall in Woodend Road “requires improvement” in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The pre-school had been given a 'good' rating in its previous inspection in December 2016.

The inspector said that to meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the pre-school must ensure all areas of learning are covered and planned for to give children "adequate challenge" and changes are made to encourage children to access different learning opportunities.

Her report said: "Children are happy and settled. They have positive relationships with each other and share their toys.

"However, there is little interaction between the children. This results in them missing opportunities to get to know each other better."

The inspector said staff know the children well and talk to them throughout the day but do not always encourage the children to respond verbally, adding: "This means that children miss opportunities to practise their conversational skills."

She said leaders recognised the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the children's communication and language skills, so they plan music and singing activities to increase vocabulary.

However some children's language-building activities were "interrupted for routine tasks, such as handwashing".

The inspector said: "Staff are not always proactive in seizing opportunities to develop children's learning further. While staff join the children in their imaginative play and children respond positively, the interactions offer little challenge to move the children on in their learning."

The report said the pre-school, which was established in 1970 and has 30 pupils aged two to four, has effective safeguarding measures and a positive relationship with parents.

Chair of Zion Community Preschool Committee Emma Vowels said they have been working hard this term to create new opportunities for our children. She said: “We are taking all the feedback on board and are working closely with the local authority to implement the changes.

“After navigating difficult challenges throughout the pandemic, we are proud to have come out the other side with an unwavering commitment to being the best preschool we can be.

“We were pleased that the Ofsted inspection recognised that our children are happy and well cared for and enjoy coming to pre-school. They praised the way we encourage independence, and our positive relationships with parents and the local school.

“We are continuing our work with Jo Jingles and Sporting Chance - both these programmes are designed to encourage communication and social skills and develop language and numeracy whilst engaging in playful and fun, musical and sporting activities.”

Ms Vowels said that this term the preschool would hold forest school and woodworking sessions, to offer children opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in nature.