Barbican Pre-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. Barbican Pre-School Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY380095 Inspection date 19/01/2009 Inspector Sarah Jane Wignall

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Setting address Barbican Methodist Church, Trewint Crescent, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1ET Telephone number 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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Barbican Pre-School is a committee run group. It opened from its new premises in 2008 and operates from the Barbican Methodist Church Children's Centre in Looe, Cornwall. Children use designated rooms in the building. There is level access into the building. A secure area is used for outdoor play activities. The setting is open each weekday from 9.00 until 12.00 and additionally on a Thursday from 13.00 until 15.30 during term time only. A maximum of 24 children aged from two to five years may attend the setting at any one time.

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Description of the setting

There are currently 40 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They live locally and some also attend other early years settings. The pre-school is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the setting

There are five members of staff working at the pre-school. Three of the staff hold appropriate early years qualifications. The setting receives support from the Early Years Advisors at Family Services and they are also members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children attending Barbican Pre-School receive good standards of care. Staff place a very high emphasis on health and safety ensuring that children are safe and well cared for at the setting. Children make good progress in their learning and development as they are provided with a wide and interesting range of activities each day. Staff ensure all children are included and that their individual needs are well met. Effective systems of self-evaluation are used to outline ongoing areas for development.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the outdoor play area so that children have more opportunities to explore, use their senses and be physically active  ensure group times are well planned so that all children are interested and engaged.

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provision

Staff work very well together as a team. They are led and managed by a highly effective and dedicated manager who is very keen to improve the provision. Recent changes to the planning and assessment systems ensure that children's individual learning needs are recognised and planned for, helping them make good progress in their learning and development. Systems of self-evaluation are sound and have highlighted areas for development, such as changes to snack time and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development of the outdoor play area. Roles within the setting are well established and staff and helpers are deployed effectively in order to support and supervise children as they play. Robust procedures are in place regarding the suitability of adults working with children.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are very well established and they are welcomed into the setting and encouraged to be involved in their child's learning and development. Regular parental consultations take place where key workers discuss children's progress and agree areas for development. Parents are kept informed of ongoing events through notices and newsletters and they have access to all the setting's policies and procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled at the setting. They enter confidently, settling quickly to chosen activities. They have established very good relationships with staff and peers and clearly enjoy playing together. Sessions are very well organised, reflecting a suitable balance between adult-led and child-initiated play. Group times are used to share information and children have the opportunity to show and tell. However, some children lose interest during these sessions. Resources are well presented and attractive ensuring children can self-select and make choices. Easy access to toilets and hand washing facilities enables children to gain independence in meeting their own needs for personal hygiene.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The effective use of a key worker system ensures that staff build up a good knowledge of children's individual interests and abilities and focus planning around their needs. Weekly staff meetings are used to highlight areas of learning, for instance, children who need opportunities to develop fine muscle control through using scissors or knives to cut fruit. Recent changes to snack time allow children the opportunity to choose when to visit the café, and staff are well deployed to support them as they cut fruit, pour their own drinks and develop their social skills as they interact with each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff place a very high emphasis on health and safety and regular and robust risk assessments are carried out for all areas of the setting and before any visits offsite. Staff undertake daily checks on all operational areas of the pre-school. The play room is bright and welcoming and staff and helpers ensure it is very clean and hygienic at all times. Children's health is promoted as they are provided with a healthy snack each day. They have easy access to drinking water and effective systems are in place to ensure staff are fully informed of any special dietary needs or allergies. Children gain an awareness of their own needs as they discuss the types of clothing they will need to wear when playing outside in the cold. Children are able to play outside during part of the session but the outdoor area is not yet fully developed in order to support exploration and other types of play and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about their local community as they visit shops and other places of interest, for instance, they go to the local shop to buy fruit which is then brought back and prepared for snack. Visits from outside agencies and professionals help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inform them about a range of topics, such as recycling and the role of the fire service. Children learn about the role of the doctor in the community as they enthusiastically role play using bandages and other instruments to help make each other better. They learn about the wider world as they celebrate festivals and learn how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing an interest in books and stories and a library system at the setting provides them with opportunities to choose books to take home and share with parents. Links with the local primary school are established helping to prepare children well for the future. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 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 registration.

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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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