St Nicholas Church Pre-School

St Nicholas Church Pre- School St Nicholas Church Hall, Uphill, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 4UH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 July 2015 6 September 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Staff form strong partnerships with parents. Therefore, children benefit from a shared approach to their learning between the pre-school and at home.  Management and staff benefit from a wealth of experience and qualifications, which they use well in practice. They use a self-evaluation process that promotes targeted improvements that bring about positive changes for children.  Children are confident and settled. Staff create a positive environment where children understand what is expected of them and behave well.  Staff understand the different ways in which children learn and develop, and understand that children have unique strengths and interests. This helps to ensure staff plan activities that help children make good progress from their initial starting points.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The daily routine does not always allow children enough opportunity to explore and interact. Sometimes, staff expect children to sit still for too long. At times, this restricts their ability to develop as active, curious learners.  Children do not have enough opportunities to express their individual ideas. Therefore, children cannot always select materials, plan their ideas, practise new skills or make links in their understanding.

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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

 improve the daily routine so that children are not expected to sit for long periods and have more opportunities to operate as active, inquisitive learners  give children more opportunities to express their individual ideas, plan their work, practise new skills and make links in their understanding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views.  The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager and deputy manager.  The inspector looked at important documentation including children's learning journals.  The inspector made observations of staff with children inside and outside.  The inspector held a leadership and management discussion with the manager.

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who attend. This is good

Teaching is good. Management and staff effectively monitor and track children's progress through evaluative observations and assessments. Management and staff understand that children are unique and learn in lots of different ways. Management and staff engage children in activities which promote their mathematical understanding. For example, children make pretend snakes and staff encourage them to think about length and size. Children have lots of opportunities to develop their early reading skills. For example, children dress up and have a dinner party in the role play area and enjoy looking at books together. However, on occasion adult-led craft activities restrict children's opportunities to express their ideas, make plans, practise new skills and make links in their understanding.

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good

Management and staff have a good key-person system in place. This helps children build strong attachments so that they settle happily at pre-school. Staff ensure learning experiences are tailored for each child and this contributes to their well-being and positive self-esteem. Management and staff help children develop their independence. For example, children take responsibility for the mess they have made and work cooperatively to put things away. This helps children develop skills that will help them at school. Children have lots of access to the outside area. They benefit from developing their balance and strength on climbing equipment while getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children have opportunities to select resources and direct their own learning. However, on occasion, staff expect children to sit still for too long and this restricts their ability to explore and learn through being active and engaged.

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provision is good

Management and staff have attended safeguarding training and have a secure understanding of their responsibilities and the procedure to follow should they have any concerns about the safety of a child or the conduct of an adult. The management team has developed a policy that gives staff robust information so that they operate confidently and without hesitation. As a result, children are safe. The manager monitors staff performance through regular supervision meetings and informal observation of their practice. The manager takes responsibility for raising the quality of interactions between staff and children and is good at identifying training needs. This has a positive impact on outcomes for children. Good partnerships with other providers, professionals and parents are well established. A shared understanding of children helps to ensure continuity in care and learning. This is particularly effective for children with additional needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 509178 Local authority North Somerset Inspection number 842303 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 3 - 5 Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 24 Name of provider St Nicholas Church Pre-School Committee Date of previous inspection 6 September 2011 Telephone number 07910583216

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Setting details

St Nicholas Church Pre-School opened in the early 1970s. It operates from the main hall of premises adjacent to the church in the village of Uphill, near Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset. The playgroup is open each weekday from 9am to 12 noon during school term time. The pre-school employs six members of staff to work with the children; five of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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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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