St Matthews Nursery and Pre-school

St Matthews Nursery and Pre-school St. Matthews Preparatory School, 100 Park Avenue North, NORTHAMPTON, NN3 2JB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 January 2016 11 December 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Since the last inspection the management and staff team have continued to make improvements to their practice. The team works well together to meet children's needs. Improvements to the premises and monitoring of the room temperatures ensure the environment is comfortable.  Teaching is good. Staff spend time with children during their play. They are skilled in extending children's experiences as they refer to familiar stories, asking questions which encourage children to think about what might happen next.  Children are eager to take part in the activities the staff plan for them. Staff link the planning to children's interests and identified targets. They support children during new experiences through reassurance and showing them how things work.  Effective partnerships with local schools and support for children to develop skills, including how to share and to be independent, result in them being well prepared for

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This provision is good

moving on to school when the time comes.  Accurate self-evaluation and reflection of the impact that activities have result in staff being able to swiftly respond to the children's changing needs. Management and staff continually identify plans for the future development of the nursery.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 One parent comments that they are not kept fully informed about their children's care routines and progress.  Group-time activities in the pre-school room are repetitive, which results in some children losing interest.

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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

 find more effective ways to inform all parents about their child's care routines and developmental progress  devise even better ways to plan and consolidate children's learning and interest during group activities.

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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 completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager, the administrator and two members of staff. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff maintain close supervision during children's activities. Thorough recruitment procedures and ongoing checks ensure that suitable staff are employed and retained. Staff have a secure understanding of how to keep children safe and promote their welfare. Parents have access to information about the activities their child is involved in, and staff offer parents meetings to discuss their child's progress. However, one parent states that they do not always receive regular details about their child's day and the activities they have taken part in. Staff effectively monitor the progress of individual children and different groups. The manager makes regular checks of this information, which ensures that all children are provided with suitable activities to help them make the best progress possible.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children benefit from the staff's attentive involvement in their play and activities. Staff recognise how different children prefer to learn and plan a wide range of activities, both inside and outside, that contribute to children's learning. Children enjoy stories and activities linked to the characters that cover the different areas of learning. Staff know the children well and effective assessment results in suitable challenges being planned for each child to help them continue to make progress. Children take part in regular group activities which contribute to their developing confidence. However, these group activities are often focused on singing. Some children lose interest because the planning of group times does not always enthuse, engage and motivate children to take part. Staff place a good focus on supporting children's language and communication. They use lots of descriptive words and pictures to help all children, including those who speak English as

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are supported well to settle quickly when they arrive. Staff ensure there are interesting activities available for them, enabling them to say goodbye to their parents. Children show that they feel confident and safe in the nursery. They approach the staff for comfort and reassurance as they need it and they freely choose which activities they want to take part in. Children and parents are well prepared for the move into the next room. Children are developing an awareness of healthy lifestyles. They have access to drinks and enjoy their nutritious lunch. They wrap up warm to play outside in the fresh air. Children behave very well. They respond positively to the staff, who are good role models and provide clear and consistent reminders about why they need to be kind to their friends and share resources.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They are learning to be independent. Staff gradually support children as they get older to serve themselves at mealtimes, to put their coats on ready for outside play and to make decisions about what they do.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY349315 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1028406 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 47 Name of provider Rachel Patterson Date of previous inspection 11 December 2012 Telephone number 01604 712647

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Setting details

St Matthews Nursery and Pre-school was registered in 2007. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. The nursery 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

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

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