St Andrews Pre-school

St Andrews Pre-School Albert Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 7AW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21 January 2015 18 November 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are highly confident and motivated to explore and learn in this exciting pre- school. They are able to choose freely from a wide range of stimulating activities and resources.  Children thrive because of a fully embedded key person approach. This means strong attachments with staff ensure children are happy, secure and confident.  The manager and her staff team work exceptionally well together. Staff take on responsibilities within the pre-school. This means they are dedicated to reflecting on their provision and adding improvements.  The quality of teaching is outstanding. Confident and enthusiastic staff balance child and adult-led activities to deliver high quality learning opportunities. This allows children to make excellent progress in their learning and development.  Staff use highly effective methods to engage parents and other professionals. They consistently share information about children's learning and development, enabling

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This provision is outstanding

parents to support their child's learning at home.  The routine and pace of the day ensures children are fully prepared for what is happening next and remain engaged in their learning. As a result, their behaviour is excellent.  Staff deployment is excellent, which means children are well-supervised and learning opportunities are enhanced.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 further enhance the provision of technology through more consistent availability of the computer to extend learning opportunities for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and learning activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the chair of the committee to discuss required documentation, including policies and self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Staff use their strong knowledge of children's learning needs to provide an outstanding range of learning opportunities. Children are very confident and active learners; they initiate many activities themselves, which staff skilfully support. They fully extend children's learning about Central America as they created their own dream catchers. This leads them to explore different textures, creative expression and enhances their coordination skills. Overall, children have access to a wealth of technological resources to support their investigations. Staff effectively extend language and vocabulary, therefore children make excellent progress in early literacy and numeracy skills. For example, they competently identify and write their names. This means they successfully gain essential skills for future learning. Staff clearly focus planning and assessment on every child's needs and share these regularly with parents. Staff frequently monitor children's individual

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who attend. This is outstanding

learning, which enables staff to quickly identify and address any gaps in individual children's learning.

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outstanding

Staff are highly effective in their support of children's well-being. Children and their parents know the staff very well, strengthened by a parent committee. The strong key- person system ensures all children settle quickly and this supports their emotional well- being. Staffing arrangements are consistent so children are comfortable with the staff and confidently seek them out for comfort if they require. Staff are exceptionally good role models and sensitively teach children how to share and take turns. This helps children to form strong attachments with peers and to quickly understand what behaviour is acceptable. Staff have an excellent understanding of their responsibilities to safeguard children. Management ensure that all staff implement policies and safe working practices exceptionally well to support children's safety and well-being.

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provision is outstanding

Leaders and managers demonstrate a proactive attitude and a dedication to the ongoing success of the pre-school. The manager works closely with the committee and staff. They share a full understanding of their responsibilities to meet regulatory requirements. Weekly team meetings, supervisions, appraisals and a peer mentoring programme supports staff development effectively. Management has fully robust recruitment and induction procedures to ensure that all staff are competent and suitable to work with children. Staff receive regular training in safeguarding and in first aid. There is a robust system of self-evaluation, with a strong emphasis on involving staff, parents and children. This supports continuous improvement. Robust procedures for checking the quality of provision ensure that children receive a rich and challenging range of activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 116825 Local authority Reading Inspection number 825130 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 39 Name of provider St. Andrew's Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 18 November 2009 Telephone number 0118 9462147

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Setting details

St Andrews Pre-school registered in 1989, although it has been running for over 40 years. It is managed by a voluntary committee. The pre-school operates from rooms within St Andrews Church Hall, Caversham, Berkshire and there is access to an outdoor play area. The intake of children is from the local residential area. The pre-school is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 39 children on roll in the early years age range. The pre- school is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged three and four years. The pre-school opens during school term times on weekdays from 9am to 12pm, and two afternoons between 12pm and 3pm. On Monday afternoon there is a pre-school plus session for older children and on Wednesday afternoon there is an additional session. The pre-school employs eight staff and three have appropriate early

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Setting details

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.

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Setting details

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

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Setting details

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Setting details

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

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