St Ambrose 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

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St Ambrose Pre-School School House, Leswell Street Kidderminster Worcestershire DY10 1RP Our Reference 205482

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

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

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 13/11/2013, we sent you a notice to improve. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit the inspector discussed with your manager the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. The inspector also spoke to staff and to a representative from the local authority about the improvements made. The inspector observed interaction between staff and children in your provision and spoke with the children and staff. The inspector looked at your safeguarding policy and discussed safeguarding procedures with your manager and the staff. She discussed and observed the use of mobile phones within the provision. She observed the outdoor area and looked at the suitability and safety of the equipment provided. Risk assessment records were also viewed and discussed with the manager and a member of staff. The inspector observed and discussed the activities that are provided for children and how these are organised. She also held discussions with the manager in relation to how the quality of teaching is monitored.

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Outcome of monitoring

They discussed the steps that you have taken to improve staffs' knowledge of the characteristics of effective learning. The inspector looked at children's progress checks at age two and discussed arrangements for the completion of these. Discussions were held about the educational programme, and records for planning, observation and assessment were viewed. In addition, the inspector discussed arrangements for self-evaluation and viewed the action plan created following the inspection.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed a comprehensive action plan to address the issues raised at your last inspection. This has enabled you to accurately identify how to address the areas for improvement that were raised. The inspector Our Reference 205482

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Outcome of monitoring

found that the self-evaluation in place at the time of the last inspection had not been updated as you had been working solely on the action plan to address the areas for improvement. The inspector is satisfied that you recognise the importance of monitoring the success of the improvements you have made. She is also satisfied that you recognise the importance of evaluating the quality of practice independently to raise further targets to improve the outcomes for children.

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Outcome of monitoring

The safeguarding policy has been updated and includes mobile phone use. The manager and staff are alert to the policy and procedures and ensure that mobile phones are not used within the setting. That said, the phone used by the setting is a mobile phone, but there is a very clear procedure in place to ensure its safe use and to ensure children's safety and welfare is promoted. Parents have been updated about the use of mobile phones not being permitted in the provision. Staff now lock their mobile phones away and only the phone for the setting is used. Parents are asked to finish their call and to put their phone away before they come in to the building. All staff have attended safeguarding training and have a clear understanding of safeguarding practices, including the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff.

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Outcome of monitoring

Risk assessment records have been developed to ensure they identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. It is clear when checks will be carried out and by whom. Risk assessment procedures identify how risks will be removed or minimised to ensure children's safety and are now being reviewed on a routine basis. The outdoor area has been made safe and is fit for purpose. The wooden train has been repaired and is safe and suitable for children to use. Broken toys and equipment have been removed and staff conduct safety checks before children access the outdoor area to ensure it is safe.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have welcomed support from your local authority and have worked with them to develop staff knowledge of the characteristics of effective learning. Training has been provided for all staff to develop their knowledge and skills, and they have begun to use their newly gained knowledge in their work with children. The manager is monitoring the quality of teaching within the provision, supported by an advisor from the local authority. The manager has observed staff practice and their interactions with children, and has fed back to them on the strengths of their practice and areas in which they could further enhance children's learning and build upon their interests. Staff have welcomed this feedback and are using their interactions with children well to support their progress.

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Outcome of monitoring

The progress check at age two has been completed in a timely manner and parents have been provided with an accurate summary of their children's development. Observations and assessments have been improved and are now effective. Through regular meetings, training, discussions and evaluation, staff have developed a greater knowledge of how to use observations to identify and target children's next steps. Records available demonstrate that children are making progress across all areas of learning. The educational programme has been improved and has depth and breadth across all seven areas of learning. Children have regular opportunities to Our Reference 205482

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Outcome of monitoring

learn about information, communication technology and their progress in this area is being closely monitored. Children are provided with an interesting and challenging range of experiences that meet their needs and ensure their progress in all areas of learning and development.

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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.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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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.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education Our Reference 205482

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure safeguarding policies are updated to include mobile phone use and ensure that all staff have a good understanding of all of safeguarding practice including the procedures to follow if an allegation is made against a member of staff 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the outdoor area is fit for purpose and equipment and toys are safe and suitable for children to use. This particularly refers to the wooden train and the storage of broken toys and equipment 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure risk assessments identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom those aspects will be checked and how the risk will be removed or minimised to ensure children's safety 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the quality of teaching by; monitoring staff practice to ensure their interactions effectively extend children's learning and build upon their interests, ensure training is focused on raising staff's knowledge of how to promote the characteristics of effective learning 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure the two year old check is completed for all children in a timely manner so that parents are provided with an accurate summary of their children's development 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the effectiveness of observation and assessment by; developing staff knowledge of how to use observations of what children can already do to identify and target their next steps, so they make good progress in every area of learning 06/02/2014 06/02/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve educational programmes to; ensure they have depth and breadth across all seven areas of learning, include regular opportunities for children to learn about information, communication technology, and provide interesting and 06/02/2014 06/02/2014 Our Reference 205482

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Action Due date Closed date

challenging experiences that meet the needs of all children.

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