St Andrews Preschool

St Andrews Pre School St. Andrews C of E School, The Street, North Lopham, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2LR

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/10/2014 21/01/2011

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Teaching is good. Staff skilfully interact with children to encourage their imaginations and extend and challenge their play and learning. This means that children make sustained progress over time.  Children are happy, confident and secure because staff sensitively settle children into the pre-school and build positive relationships with them. Safeguarding children is given top priority to promote their safety and welfare.  Staff establish strong and trusting partnerships with parents. They work closely with parents to support children's individual care, development and learning needs.  Staff are positive role models. They are consistent in how they deal with behaviour management. Consequently, children learn how to behave and play well alongside their friends.  The pre-school's staff team are committed and dedicated to the continual improvement of the provision. They are constantly reflecting on and improving their practice,

p.1

This provision is good

therefore, striving to always provide the best care and education for the children.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 On occasion, the timing of routines, such as circle time and snack, do not ensure that children consistently have sufficient time to engage in sustained, undisturbed play.  The organisation of staff does not consistently enable staff to provide an uninterrupted focus on teaching and children's learning experiences.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

p.2

Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outside.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of practitioners working with children.  The inspector carried out a joint observation of a teaching activity with the manager.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the manager, staff and parents at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Information about the setting

St Andrew's Pre-School was registered in 2002. It is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The pre-school is run by a committee and has charitable status. It is situated on the site of St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, in the village of North Lopham, Norfolk. The pre- school has the use of an adapted school building with an enclosed outdoor area. The pre- school employs two members of childcare staff. The manager is qualified at level 3 and the assistant at level 6. The pre-school is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and 12.45pm until 3.15pm. There is a lunch club from 11.45am until 12.45pm. Children attend for a variety of sessions. There are 13 children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age range. The pre-school receives support from the local authority.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 review the organisation of staff to enable them to provide an even greater focus on teaching and learning

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 review the organisation of routines, such as story time and meal times, so that children's opportunities for sustained play are further encouraged.

p.3

who attend

Children receive a warm and friendly welcome to the pre-school. They enjoy a wide range of well-resourced activities that support and promote their continued learning and effectively meet their needs. The planned activities cover the seven areas of learning. Staff plan very well, taking into account each child's interests and age and stage of development. This good planning, along with quality teaching, means that children continue to develop skills and attributes needed for future learning. The pre-school is well organised so that children can make good choices to support their interests and play. For instance, children enjoy using the wide range of resources in the art area. This supports them to develop their imagination and creativity.

p.3

who attend

Children enjoy leading their own play and taking part in activities, which are guided by adults. Staff interactions with children are strong. They talk to children and consistently use open-ended questioning to extend their communication and language. Staff skilfully support children to develop their imaginative skills through spontaneous role play. For example, a group of children enjoyed talking to staff and making up stories while they built a castle with large construction blocks in the outdoor area. These quality interactions engage children in sustained play and support them to develop their social and communication skills. Children have free access throughout the session to a garden area, which supports them to make choices and direct their own learning. They clearly enjoy using the wide range of resources, which cover the seven areas of learning. Staff encourage the children to make good use of this space and have developed a separate

p.3

who attend

planting area where children can grow and pick their own vegetables.

p.4

who attend

Staff know children extremely well because they take time to meet them and their parents. Staff gather information from parents and children as they settle in. Children's learning journals show good observations linked to the areas of learning. Staff use these observations to track children's progress effectively and highlight areas where children could benefit from additional support. Timely interventions ensure that all needs are appropriately met and that children develop the skills and attributes needed to support their move on to school. Assessments are precise and robust and next steps are used to inform planning. This ensures that children's needs are met and supports them to make sustained progress over time.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children share warm relationships with the approachable and friendly staff. New starters settle quickly into the nursery. A well-established key-person system is in place to help children build relationships with their special member of staff. This supports their emotional needs and as a result, children are motivated to learn. Children demonstrate a positive approach to learning and behaviour in the pre-school is good. Staff provide excellent role models, interact well with children and engage them in meaningful conversation, which results in an extremely calm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Staff develop and extend children's understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle that involves physical exercise and a healthy diet. Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise during outdoor play. They have a wide range of opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles, for example, they are offered a range of nutritious healthy snacks. Children have access to water throughout the session and are offered water or milk with their snack. Children sit together and are very sociable. They talk to each other and share experiences. Staff use this opportunity to encourage talk about the morning, what the children have done and what they are going to do after pre-school. In this way, children's interests are further extended and they learn to listen to each other and form opinions. Children have the opportunity to participate in sessions, such as story time or circle time. However, these daily routines are not always effectively organised to fully engage

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

children's interest. For example, at times children's play is disturbed for registration or story time.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children's well-being is given the highest priority at the pre-school. Staff have appropriate training in first aid and are very well aware of the medical or dietary needs of children in their care. Effective procedures are in place and are regularly reviewed to support children's welfare effectively. Staff know and understand the needs of all children. There is a very strong family feel to the pre-school as many children attend with siblings. The very stable staffing policy means that staff know the families extremely well. Consequently, all children feel secure and make excellent emotional attachments while at pre-school. Children's transitions are managed sensitively to ensure children are emotionally secure. Their move to school is supported well through visits and sharing records with feeder schools.

p.4

provision

The pre-school is managed well. The manager and pre-school committee are reflective and they demonstrate a commitment to the continual development of the whole provision. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. They understand their responsibility to promote the learning and development of all children, which means that children are consistently provided with a range of experiences to meet their needs. Both staff hold relevant childcare qualifications and are keen to continually update their professional development. The manager regularly meets with staff and the pre-school committee to discuss and share any ideas, and to further promote effective outcomes for children. She carefully monitors staff performance, both informally through working alongside the staff and more formally through annual appraisals and monthly supervisions to identify training needs. This helps to promote good outcomes for children.

p.5

provision

The manager in the pre-school has a good understanding of the requirements to safeguard children. Staff knowledge of safeguarding is robust. They have a good understanding of the signs of abuse and the action to take if they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Their practice is supported by secure policies and procedures. The premises are kept secure and thorough risk assessments are undertaken, ensuring children can play safely and freely. Staff work well as a team to promote the smooth running of the session. However, at times, the organisation of staff means that care routines, such as washing hands, do not enable staff to consistently focus on teaching and children's learning experiences.

p.5

provision

Parents value the strong partnership and relationships they have with the pre-school. They speak highly of staff and are delighted with the activities they provide for children. They say that they are 'immensely supportive'. One parent commented that she, 'would love to access more sessions for her child'. The pre-school has developed successful strategies to work closely with parents. Consequently, children have continuity of care and their needs are very well met.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.6

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Setting details

Unique reference number 254195 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 876541

p.7

Type of provision

Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 13 Name of provider St Andrews Pre School Committee Date of previous inspection 21/01/2011 Telephone number 07549 154473

p.7

Type of provision

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children,

p.8

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.9

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9