Old Newton Under Five's

Old Newton Under Five's Village Hall, Church Road, Old Newton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4ED

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 October 2015 15 December 2008

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Ofsted has not been informed of changes to the membership of the committee who make up the governing body of the pre-school. Despite key officers changing over a year ago, necessary checks have not been initiated.  Staff do not consistently evaluate their observations of children's play and learning, and do not identify what they need to do to support their continuing progress.  Children's learning and development is not monitored effectively to ensure that gaps in their progress across all areas are identified and managed. The required progress check for children between the ages of two and three years is not consistently carried out where applicable.  The learning environment, including routine activities and children's access to outdoor play, is not organised effectively to meet their individual needs.  Parents do not consistently receive sufficient information about the progress their children are making or how they are doing in relation to their age.

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This provision is inadequate

 Some personal information and details relating to children and staff are not stored securely to maintain confidentiality.  There is no system of regular staff supervision to monitor staff practice, support their professional development or tackle underperformance.  The main playroom is often too cold at the beginning of the session to allow children to play comfortably.

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It has the following strengths

 The new manager knows what action is needed to improve the provision. Although she has only been in post for a short while, she has begun to take steps to address weaknesses and drive improvement in the quality of what is offered to children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 use the information gained from observations of children as they play to accurately identify the next steps and plan effectively for their individual learning needs 31/01/2016

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Due Date

 assess children's learning and development precisely to identify gaps in their attainment and ensure that they are making progress across all areas of learning 31/01/2016

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Due Date

 complete the progress check for children between the age of two and three years for all children on roll who are in this age range 16/10/2015

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Due Date

 ensure that the learning environment is organised effectively to meet the needs of the children, with particular regard to routine activities and access to the outdoor play areas 06/11/2015

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Due Date

 improve the ways in which information is shared with parents to keep them informed about their children's learning and stage of development 31/01/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that confidential information about staff and children is stored securely 12/10/2015

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Due Date

 implement an effective system for the regular supervision of staff 31/01/2016  ensure that the premises are organised to meet the needs of the children and are maintained in line with health and safety legislation, with particular regard to room temperature 16/10/2015

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Due Date

 inform Ofsted of all changes to the names of the people who make up the membership of the governing body of the pre-school. 31/10/2015

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation form and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.  The inspector looked at activity planning, records of children's learning and a selection of policies and records.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. Persons making up the registered body have not reported changes to Ofsted or completed necessary suitability checks. However, the committee now understand their collective responsibility to support the new manager in her role. Staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report concerns. Most staff have attended training in child protection. In this respect, children's emotional and physical well-being is protected. However, supervision of staff has not been implemented for more than a year. Staff practice is not monitored and this contributes to variations in the quality of teaching. All necessary documentation is maintained. However, personal information relating to children and staff is not stored securely to maintain confidentiality. This compromises privacy and children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Activities and routines do not always meet children's individual needs. The quality of teaching and learning deteriorates throughout the morning as children are confined to indoor spaces. Staff do not recognise when children need to be active. Despite this, they do take children outdoors just before lunch, including walks into the woods or to play on the climbing equipment in the nearby playground. Staff join in with children's play. During these times they talk to children, introducing new vocabulary and engaging them in conversation. Staff find out about children's starting points through discussions with parents. However, they do not consistently continue to share information with parents about their children's progress. The quality of staff's observations of children's learning is poor. This does not support staff to consistently identify what they need to do to promote children's progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Staff set out the playroom to promote all areas of learning but it is often cold at the beginning of the session. Staff remind children about the importance of respecting each other. They also remind children about keeping safe, such as the use of knives at snack time. However, the poor organisation of these routine activities means that children spend long periods waiting and become bored, resulting in unwanted behaviour. Most children are happy and settled. Children who do not separate readily from their main carer on arrival at the pre-school are supported sensitively by staff, developing in independence and confidence. Children are supported to manage their own personal care. In this respect, children are developing some of the basic skills needed to be ready for the move on to school.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

The progress check for children between the age of two and three years has not been completed for all children as it became due. In addition, the tracking of children's progress is not effective. Staff do not act on identified gaps in children's development to ensure that they are making balanced progress across the areas of learning. Staff are not able to demonstrate whether children who are not reaching expected levels of attainment are being appropriately supported in order to close these gaps. Management does not currently monitor children's progress adequately.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251584 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 864455 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 18 Name of provider Old Newton Under Five's Committee Date of previous inspection 15 December 2008 Telephone number 07871 858183

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Setting details

Old Newton Under Five's was registered in 1970. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, nine hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm on Monday and Friday and from 9am to 12 noon on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday a lunch club operates from 12noon to 12.30pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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Setting details

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