A preschool on the outskirts of Bristol is no longer considered to be outstanding following an Ofsted inspection last month. Wrigglypeeps Preschool, located at Bromley Heath Infant School, was widely praised by inspectors for making children feel “welcome and safe” but the judgements suggest the standard of education may have lowered since 2018.
In December 2018, Wrigglypeeps were rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and although one-word and two-word judgements are no longer given, the preschool was given a ‘Good’ rating in each of the judging categories in the recent inspection dated October 17. The preschool, which has 59 children on the school roll aged between two and four, provides funded early education.
Children enter the preschool happily where staff ensure each pupil is greeted warmly. The school uses a key-person system which is used effectively and allows children to settle in well and form strong bonds with staff who prioritise children’s emotional security.
Staff “value conversations” and strongly support communication and language development in children. Staff have planned an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that builds on what children know and can do.
The report said: “Children squeeze pipettes to strengthen their hand muscles. This prepares them for future learning, such as effective tool use in the woodworking sessions and writing. Staff help children to develop their understanding of the wider world.
“Children show positive attitudes to learning and respond well to staff. They eagerly work as a team to tidy up, saying ‘I can do it’ while carefully putting a bike away and staff support children’s independence skills. They teach children how to put on their coats and prepare fruit for snacks.”
Inspectors praised the management who value their staff team. Managers “empower staff to use their strengths and knowledge to enhance the setting”, as staff attend training to enrich areas of provision for the children. Staff also meet with managers to discuss roles and professional development, as a result staff report high team morale and a harmonious learning environment for children.
Staff also provide effective support for emotional development and wellbeing, including the use of breathing techniques to calm children and use of descriptions of emotions to help children learn how to cope and talk about what they are feeling. Children are able to learn about the natural world through using their senses.
A broad range of learning experiences that is offered at Wrigglypeeps allows children to “immerse themselves”. However, staff occasionally do not notice when children need extra support to be involved and participate in activities.
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The report said: “Children are confident communicators, staff use effective strategies to promote children’s speech and language. They introduce new vocabulary, such as ‘raw’ and ‘mash’, as children explore vegetables.
“Staff repeat back what children say so that children can hear spoken words. This helps to develop their clarity of speech. Staff provide extra help for children who need support in this area, which helps to reduce any gaps in children’s development.
“Staff are good role models. They implement rules and boundaries and praise children’s positive behaviour. However, staff do not consistently remind children of the rules or fully explain risks as they play, particularly when children run inside or use scissors.
“Children demonstrate a love of books. They freely choose books to share with their friends. They turn the pages and show delight at the illustrations as they talk about what they see.
“Staff read clearly and with expression, which engages and excites the children. This deepens children’s curiosity and promotes their literacy skills.”
Staff form partnerships with parents, schools and other settings which children may attend, and refer to other professionals to gain additional support for children when needed. Parents are involved in children’s learning and speak highly of the setting and of the care that children receive.
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