Cox Green pre-school rated 'Good' across the board

Cox Green Community Preschool, based at the community centre in Highfield Lane, has been rated ‘Good’ across the board in its latest inspection.

Running from 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday during term time, the pre-school receives funding to provide early education to children aged two, three and four years.

There are six staff working at the pre-school, four of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 2 or level 3.

The manager and the deputy manager hold honours degrees in early years education.

Following a September inspection, Ofsted’s recent report found that children ‘arrive happily, separate well from parents and carers, and settle quickly to the wide variety of activities in the pre-school.’

“Staff facilitate free-flow play throughout the session between the indoor and outdoor spaces. This enables children to make choices about where to play,” the report reads.

“Children ask staff to join them at activities, such as using the dough to make imaginary pizzas. Staff follow children’s interests and support this request.

“Staff talk to children about things that interest them... They encourage back-and-forth conversations.

“Children are very keen to join in with activities and experiences and to have a go.”

Leaders have developed a suitable curriculum for children based on ‘planning in the moment,’ said Ofsted.

They review the enhancements to children’s play each day and use this to inform their planning for the following day.

Staff have ‘high expectations’ for children and ‘interact with them effectively to extend their learning.’

Leaders receive effective support from the management committee, who maintain a good oversight of the pre-school, Ofsted said.

The long-standing staff team ‘works well together.’

It ‘communicates effectively throughout the day’ to ensure children’s needs are met and that staff deployment is effective.

 Leaders and staff attend regular training to support them in their roles.

However, staff do not consistently recognise when to encourage children to do things for themselves, Ofsted reported.

For example, they put children’s coats on their pegs for them and wipe their noses.

“This does not fully support children to practise their own independence skills,” said the inspection body.

Staff also offer suitable support for children who speak English as an additional language.

However, on occasion, when asking children questions, staff ‘do not give children the time they need to think and respond.’

“Nonetheless, children communicate well and share their wants and needs,” said Ofsted.

Children behave well, the watchdog added. Staff encourage children to use good manners and children are kind – they share resources with their friends.

Staff support conflict resolution by getting on the children’s level and talking to all children about what is happening.

They also talk about how the children involved are feeling and how they might resolve the situation.

“This works towards children learning to resolve conflict for themselves,” said Ofsted.

In response to the report, a statement from the pre-school reads:

“The team at Cox Green Preschool our delighted with our recent Ofsted rating of Good.

“We have worked really hard over the last few years to implement an ‘In the moment planning’ curriculum.

“We were happy this was recognised in the recent inspection, with our rating of Good.”