St. Alphege Pre-school/No. 1 Club

St Alphege Pre-school Oliver Bird Hall, Church Hill Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3RQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 June 2015 4 December 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 making excellent progress given their starting points and are exceptionally well-prepared for their future learning. Staff are particularly skilful in motivating children's learning through play. They encourage children to wallow in experiences and offer an abundance of activities, so that children can fully explore their interests.  Key persons know the children extremely well. They precisely tailor the provision for each child, focusing on their specific needs and interests. The assessments of children's progress and planning for further experiences are rigorously checked by the manager. This ensures that outstanding teaching continues to have the best impact on children's learning and development.  Children who attend the setting before and after the school day develop great confidence in their own abilities. Excellent communication with teaching staff and parents, coupled with staff's expertise, ensures a wide range of exciting experiences

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This provision is outstanding

are provided.  Partnerships with parents, grandparents and other carers are superb. During the inspection they enthusiastically express how delighted they are with the setting. They explain how staff fully include them in their children's learning and development. Furthermore, they say how they love the weekly email updates they receive and thoroughly enjoy coming in to do activities with their children.  The manager, staff and committee have an excellent understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. High priority is given to protecting and safeguarding the welfare of children. They meticulously follow excellent practices and procedures. This promotes children's safety and well-being in a successful and timely manner.

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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

 consider even more ways to enrich children's learning experiences outside during different weather conditions.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and spoke with the provider, staff and children, at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a sample of policies, children's records and planning documentation.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the staff working with children, and viewed the setting's self-evaluation form.  The inspector took account of the views of the staff, parents, grandparents and childminders spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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who attend. This is outstanding

Children enter with great excitement. They self-register by placing their name card into the postbox and eagerly sit with staff to share their news. After a quick introduction to the activities set out, they are off. This results in a hive of activity, with each child fully engaged and leading their own learning with great expertise. For example, during play about the seaside, children talk about the different sizes of fish, and count how many chips they are serving. They sit on the deck chairs outside, dipping their feet in the water and eating ice-creams. Staff skilfully get involved, at the children's invitation, and challenge and stretch their thinking even further. Constant encouragement and praise gives the children a real boost of confidence. Children have a go at solving problems, such as how to get to the dough which is stuck inside a tube. Staff offer suggestions, ask leading questions and give plenty of time for a response. This helps children to develop

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who attend. This is outstanding

and use their own ideas and skills in readiness for their next stages in learning.

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outstanding

Children develop excellent independence as they move freely both inside and outside, and follow their own interests during play. They are very familiar and extremely comfortable in their surroundings. Children know where to find the equipment that they would like to use and confidently help themselves. They take full advantage of the opportunities for exercise and fresh air, in the beautiful forest area. For example, children love building dens and searching for insects. Some are excited to see what staff have hidden under leaves and lily-pads in the pretend pond. Others collect water, bark and herbs and pretend to make tea, taking turns to stir the ingredients. They show that they are aware of safety, as they remind one another to be careful because tea is hot. Staff apply rules and boundaries consistently and sensitively. Children know the daily routines very well, and use a picture timetable to remind them of what is coming next. This is particularly helpful for children

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outstanding

with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff work seamlessly with parents, childminders and relevant professionals. Therefore, children's care is consistently supported across all settings, and children are particularly well prepared for change when it is time to move on.

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provision is outstanding

Leadership is inspirational and the continual drive for improvement is very successful. Staff enthusiastically seek the opinions of children, parents, carers and other professionals, in order to pinpoint priorities for further development. Since the last inspection, leaders have recognised how much the improved outdoor spaces have truly enhanced the experiences for children. They are hoping to extend this even further by finding ways that they can make even better use of the forest area during different weather conditions. Training and coaching for staff is a priority. This results in a well-qualified, highly knowledgeable and dedicated staffing team who continually strive for the very best. As a result, they make sure they deliver exceptionally high-quality care and education to all children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 250123 Local authority Solihull Inspection number 854744 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 11 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 35 Name of provider St Alphege Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 4 December 2009 Telephone number 0121 247 8489 or 07752245423

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Setting details

St Alphege Pre-School was registered in 1968. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. All hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including two with a Foundation Degree in Early Years. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions in the pre-school are from 9.10am until 12.10pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting also offers out of school provision known as No.1 Club. This is open from 8am until 8.45am and from 3.25pm until 6pm. The setting supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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