Southport’s Waterloo Road under 5’s Preschool awarded “Outstanding” by Ofsted

Inspection findings

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

Leaders and managers have extremely high expectations of staff. They very regularly monitor staff’s performance to ensure that the quality of teaching is consistently very strong. There is a highly robust programme of training. Leaders are aware of the importance of continuing to monitor the impact this has on the quality of teaching. Very effective procedures for recruiting and mentoring new staff are in place. Regular practice observations are made and staff set their own targets for improvement. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Children’s safety is of the utmost priority. Staff have a first- class knowledge of how to identify and report concerns regarding the welfare of a child. Leaders scrupulously consider the views of staff, parents and children when deciding how to further develop the pre-school.

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Very rigorous assessment of children’s progress is precise and their interests are central to every decision. Planning is meticulous and very specifically tailored to meet children’s individual needs and promote their future learning. Parents are extremely well informed about their children’s development. Children very excitedly explore volume and capacity in the water tray outside. They eagerly take turns to investigate how much water they can fit into various sized containers. Children develop their sensory skills. For example, they enthusiastically squeeze oranges, lemons and limes into the water and smell the different aromas. Children learn new words, such as pith and pips. They show extremely positive attitudes to learning and a keenness to participate.

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Children form outstanding and incredibly secure emotional bonds with staff and they settle exceptionally well. Children use impeccable manners and behaviour is exemplary. Parents speak extremely positively and describe the significant impact the pre-school has had on their children’s learning and well-being. They rate the pre-school highly and describe it as a marvellous home-from-home environment helps their children to thrive. Children learn about the wider world. For example, they experience highly stimulating trips in the community. Children thoroughly enjoy listening walks and visit the local woodland. They very eagerly share experiences from home with staff. Each child’s unique background is celebrated and highly valued.

Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children practise their excellent speaking and language skills and are very confident communicators. They highly enthusiastically join in with action songs and laugh heartily and chanting. They are very actively involved in self-care practices and are highly independent. For example, children expertly pour their own drinks and clear away their plates when they have finished eating. Children keep themselves very safe. For example, they know not to pass the red flags positioned as boundaries in the outdoor area. Children very skilfully recognise letters from their name on street signs. They effortlessly identify numbers written on doors when they go out for walks. Children are extremely well prepared for their eventual move on to school.