Flitwick Pre-school

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

Flitwick Pre-school 36a High Street Flitwick Bedford Bedfordshire MK45 1DU Our Reference 219072

p.1

Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Kelly Eyre, monitored your provision on 06/02/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

p.1

Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 14/11/2013, we sent you a notice to improve. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

p.1

Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit the inspector had a telephone conversation with the nominated person and talked with the pre-school manager about the steps taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed activities and staff interaction with children, both inside and in the outdoor play area. The inspector also spoke to individual members of staff. She looked at your records of staff qualifications, action plans and self-evaluation information. The inspector also looked at children's assessment records and activity planning.

p.1

Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that the nominated person has worked with the pre-school manager to develop a practical action plan to support staff in prioritising and addressing the issues raised at your last inspection. Your setting also has an appropriate process to evaluate daily practice and the impact this has on outcomes for children. This has supported the manager and staff in looking at how to address the areas for improvement identified at your last inspection. The inspector noted that your manager's ongoing evaluation process helps to ensure that any improvements are sustainable and continue to improve the provision for children.

p.1

Outcome of monitoring

A new pre-school manager has been appointed and she holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 4 and is supported by an appropriately qualified deputy manager. As a management committee, you now keep accurate records of all staff qualifications and have organised the staffing rotas to ensure that there are always the required number of qualified staff present at each session. The manager ensures Our Reference 219072

p.1

Outcome of monitoring

that all staff are aware of their roles and are deployed appropriately in order to support children in their play and activities. This change means that children's welfare, safety and development are promoted.

p.2

Outcome of monitoring

A practical pack, detailing the roles and responsibilities of committee members has been issued to each member of the committee. They have confirmed in writing that they understand their roles. This means that the committee is now clear about their responsibilities in relation to ensuring that staff have appropriate qualifications and skills. Your nominated person has ensured that this change is sustainable by introducing handover procedures so that any new committee members are also clear about their roles. This means that children are cared for by staff who are aware of current good practice and can use this knowledge to ensure children's needs are met and their development promoted. Staff also report that, as a result of this change, there are improved relationships with the committee, who are now more aware of the daily work of the pre-school and can offer appropriate support.

p.2

Outcome of monitoring

Staff demonstrate a positive approach to their work and have actively used the support offered by the local authority. They have used this, and their own knowledge, to work together to develop the planning of activities and resources. These now take account of children's interests and abilities and are planned so that they encourage children to explore and think further. This supports children in extending their own knowledge and in becoming active learners. Staff have also made sure that they offer parents information about the planning and ideas for activities to try at home, further supporting children's learning and development.

p.2

Outcome of monitoring

Outdoor activities are now planned on a daily basis and the manager has introduced procedures that ensure that children are offered a choice of playing inside or outside. The planning has been developed so that staff are able to check that children are offered an appropriate range of outdoor resources and activities that promote all areas of learning. The outdoor area has also been cleared so that this is now more accessible. As a result of these changes, children are now offered appropriate learning opportunities inside and outside, particularly supporting those children who learn best in an outdoor environment. However, the manager and staff have recognised that there are further steps they can take in order to fully support children's free access to the outdoor area and to extend the opportunities outside. They have appropriate plans in place to develop this area further.

p.2

Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

p.2

Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection. Our Reference 219072

p.2

Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

p.3

Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education Our Reference 219072

p.3

Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the manager holds at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification in order to improve the quality of children's daily experiences in the pre-school 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

p.4

Action Due date Closed date

improve the knowledge and understanding of the committee management team of their roles and responsibilities, particularly in relation to ensuring that staff have appropriate qualifications, skills and knowledge in order to improve the quality of children's daily experiences in the pre-school 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

p.4

Action Due date Closed date

offer a quality learning experience for all children by effectively organising challenging and enjoyable activities which involve children in becoming active learners 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

p.4

Action Due date Closed date

improve children's access to outdoor activities that are planned and taken on a daily basis in all weather conditions, for example, by enabling children to freely access the outdoor areas during every session. 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

p.4