St Gabriels Catholic Pre-school

St Gabriels Catholic Pre- school St. Gabriels RC CP School, Well Lane, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST7 2PG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 July 2015 26 March 2012

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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

 The pre-school is welcoming and has a good selection of easily accessible resources, both indoors and outdoors. This encourages the children to explore freely.  The key-person system is well established and staff are positive role models who have high expectations of children. There is an emphasis on children developing their independence, positive behaviour and valuing the contributions of others. As a result, children develop their self-confidence, respect for others and their self-esteem is promoted.  All staff are fully committed to ensuring children are kept safe and secure through their good understanding of safeguarding procedures.  Partnerships with parents and external professionals is embedded in pre-school practices. This makes a significant contribution to the settling of children and provision of their ongoing care.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not maximise opportunities for children who are moving to different schools, to have similar positive transition experience, as their peers who move to the on-site school.  Although the manager performs staff supervisions, there is scope to improve the process to ensure it consistently delivers opportunities for staff to share best practice and identify professional development needs.

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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

 enhance transition opportunities for children who are moving to different schools so that all children benefit from consistent and positive transition experiences  develop staff supervision process further to ensure all staff can effectively share best practice, identify professional development needs and be confident in their delivery of high-quality teaching and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documents including a sample of policies, children's records, pre-school action plans and staff development records. She also viewed evidence of the suitability of staff, and staff qualification records.  The inspector observed children's activities, and the quality of teaching in the pre- school and in the outdoor environment.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held discussions with the manager.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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who attend. This is good

The staff have a good understanding of how to support children's learning and development. They make effective use of role-play scenarios, conversations with children and encourage their independence. By using good teaching methods staff help children to think critically and support them to become self-motivated to learn. Children take pride in being given tasks to do. For example, they enjoy the responsibility of carrying toys and equipment into the main school playground. As a result, children develop the skills necessary for their next stages of learning. Through the strong key-person system and positive parent partnerships, each child is well supported. Accurate assessment means that staff have a secure knowledge of children in their care, including their specific needs. Therefore, children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Consequently, all children are making good progress in relation to their starting

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good

Children are happy and confident in this calm and nurturing environment. Their confidence and self-esteem are well promoted. For example, at group time children assertively talk about their 'Wow' vouchers from home. Staff and children take turns to talk and share their own experiences. Additionally, the pre-school encourages family members to be active in the children's learning and development. For example, they encourage family members to celebrate cultural festivals with them and accompany children to the local library. Staff encourage children to be physically active and to develop an awareness of good health and hygiene practices. Children are very well supported for their move to the on-site school and this ensures a continuity of their care and learning. However, there is scope to improve the transition experience for the minority of children not attending the on-site school.

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provision is good

The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the quality of the pre- school provision and is aware of the pre-school's strengths. With input from staff and parents, the manager reflects on the provision, and identifies areas for development. Staff have completed the relevant training to ensure they have a good understanding of, for example, child protection, safe recruitment and first-aid procedures. This contributes effectively to keeping children safe and well. The manager has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and operates an effective tracking process to monitor the progress of children. The manager conducts staff supervisions to review their training and development needs. However, the current process is sometimes implemented inconsistently and so does not always target support for staff to consistently deliver first-rate teaching practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 305319 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 867585 Type of provision Sessional provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 36 Name of provider St Gabriels RC Church Committee Date of previous inspection 26 March 2012 Telephone number 01270 875770

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Setting details

St Gabriels Catholic Pre-school is owned by St Gabriel's Church and run by a management committee. It was registered in 1979 and operates from a purpose-built unit within St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School in Alsager, Cheshire. The pre-school is open five days a week during term time, Monday and Friday from 8.45am until 12.45pm, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8.45am until 2.45pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. It also supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. There are three members of staff. The manager holds a Degree in Early Childhood Studies and Early Years Professional status. One member of staff holds Qualified Teacher Status and another holds a qualification at Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development.

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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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