St Elisabeth's Church of England Primary School

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Doddiscombsleigh Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 106110 Inspection date 08/10/2008 Inspector Anna Sketchley

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Setting address Doddiscombsleigh Primary School, Doddiscombsleigh, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7PR Telephone number 01647 252 253 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Doddiscombsleigh Pre-School was registered in 1992. It is run by a committee of parents and school governors. It has use of a room in a modular building, situated in Doddiscombsleigh Primary School grounds in the centre of the village. The pre- school has close links with the school and the adjacent Reception class.

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Description of the setting

The pre-school is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. It opens on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 09:30 to 12:00. There is now an afternoon session on Thursdays from 13:00 to 15:30. Children come from a wide area of the Teign Valley, and the majority will later attend Doddiscombsleigh Primary School. There are currently eleven children on roll, who are mainly funded. The pre-school supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. There are a very small number of children attending who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

Two staff are employed, supported by a parent volunteer. There are additional staff members who can be called on in an emergency. The pre-school manager is a qualified teacher and the assistant has a National Vocational Qualification at level 2 in Early Years Childcare and Education. The setting receives support from the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Doddiscombsleigh Pre-School offers outstanding provision. Highly trained staff offer an exemplary and professional environment with excellent welfare and care procedures and learning and development opportunities. As a result, all children, including those whose mother tongue is not English, make excellent progress. Staff take self-evaluation very seriously and, although the pre-school was judged to be outstanding at the time of the last inspection, they have continued to review practice and make a number of improvements. This demonstrates an outstanding capacity for further improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 using a more systematic, written self-evaluation procedure and monitor the impact of changes against success criteria

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provision

Leadership and management are outstanding. Although there is currently no written system in place for self-evaluation, there is significant evidence of thoughtful improvements being made to the organisation of the learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment and to record keeping and assessment. Areas of learning have already been reorganised to help children become more independent in regard to the storage and retrieval of resources they might choose to work with, especially in the art and writing areas. Children now enjoy a more settled, larger quiet area away from continuous traffic to the outside area. Assessment and record keeping are of a very high standard. Children’s records have moved away from ‘checklists’ and are more personal and supported by written observations and photographic evidence. These are shared with parents on a regular basis and with the Reception

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provision

staff when they transfer to the school. These records move children onto the next steps in their learning and ensure that the pre-school is fully focused upon enjoyment and achievement for all children. Relationships are excellent and all staff are taking full advantage of local professional development opportunities, ensuring that they are a highly effective team. This, together with the emphasis being placed upon self-evaluation, is providing an outstanding capacity for improvement, and excellent care and learning and development opportunities for all children.

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provision

Very close liaison with parents clearly demonstrates that they are fully involved in their child’s development. Parents remarked upon how they had been helped to know what to do at home as a result of what is being offered at the pre-school. One parent with a child whose mother tongue is not English is delighted with the way in which his family are being supported and included in all that is on offer. Links with the school and the local community are excellent and this supports children and parents as they transfer from pre-school to Reception. Many children attend from outlying areas and quickly gain in confidence as they learn to socialise with others. Through these opportunities, children build skills to help them in the future.

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provision

All aspects of safeguarding children are fully in place and strictly adhered to. This makes a significant contribution to children's welfare and enables them to learn in a calm, safe and healthy environment. Excellent routines are in place, for example, children are encouraged to use wet wipes and dispose of these themselves when getting ready for snack. Healthy eating and lots of outdoor physical play lead to a healthy lifestyle much appreciated by parents. Written policies are competently carried out and support excellent practice on a daily basis.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff are experienced, exceptionally well organised and very effective Early Years practitioners and share their practice and skills daily. Detailed and annotated planning leads to formative assessments for each individual child at the end of each session. These assessments identify the next steps in their learning and contribute to the continuous record of their achievements. Themed termly planning is shared with the Reception class and establishes a clear continuity of learning which enables children to transfer easily when the time comes. Very positive behaviour management, a calm but stimulating atmosphere, and exciting opportunities across all areas ensure that children enjoy learning. As a result, they make excellent progress. Children are highly motivated and staff have high expectations of them. Even the youngest children already recognise their written This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

names and know some sounds. They love to find their names and put them on the board in the morning and in their pots at snack time. There are excellent opportunities for developing speaking and listening skills and self-confidence, especially through ‘show and tell’ activities at the beginning of each session. Children show a very good interest in books and join in eagerly with any problem posed for them, for example, they show how they can add one to the number present as other children arrive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children know how to keep themselves safe and explain why it is important to give other children space to move. When riding the big bikes, they listen carefully to instructions and stand safely by their bikes until asked to move off. They move confidently, developing their muscles and coordination skills very well. Children behave and play extremely well together and respect all adults. They are taught to care for one another and to be polite, making a positive contribution to the setting. The opportunity to help themselves to a drink of water and eat their snack when they are ready and learning to put on their own coats demonstrates good self-help skills. Children have a clear understanding of keeping healthy, as they use wet wipes and deposit them in the bin before going outside.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The relatively new decking area has developed the outside classroom particularly well and allows some free flow with Reception children who are a good role model. Children’s knowledge and understanding of the world are reinforced through such activities as growing beans. They add a wide range of materials and objects to the water tray, and, as a result, discover that some float and some sink. Creativity is actively encouraged. One child showed great ingenuity as he abandoned the sponges and used a toy tractor to make a wheel print at the painting table. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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