St Nicholas Pre School

St Nicholas Pre School St. Nicholas C of E Primary School, Kilmersdon Road, RADSTOCK, BA3 3QH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 April 2016 20 November 2015

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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

 The manager and staff have made significant improvements to the quality of practice. Their self-evaluation is now accurate and shows a good understanding of the setting's strengths and areas for development.  Staff know the children well. Their nurturing relationship ensures the needs of all the children are met.  Children's views are taken into account. They take an active part in planning activities as staff record their suggestions on the 'ideas board'.  Parents value the accessibility of the staff and their knowledge of the children. They particularly enjoy taking home and sharing their children's learning books.  Behaviour is good. Children listen attentively and participate in conversations such as during registration time.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes children do not get the most out of planned adult-led activities because staff do not encourage them enough to take part.  On occasion the manager does not check that staff have made identified improvements in their practice swiftly enough.

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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 organisation of planned adult-led activities to encourage all children to participate  check the progress staff make towards identified improvements in a timely manner.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views.  The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning.  The inspector looked at a range of documents including the setting's self-evaluation, children's learning journals, staff supervision records and evidence of staff's suitability.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Since the last inspection all staff have updated and consolidated their safeguarding knowledge, and therefore safeguarding is now effective. Children's absences are monitored so that staff can take action where they have concerns. Staff now fully understand their role in protecting children and how to work with other agencies. A clear robust safeguarding policy underpins the work they do and is available to parents. Supervision meetings are used to monitor staff suitability. The manager observes teaching and supports staff in planning children's next steps. Staff show a strong commitment to continual improvement and have identified training to improve their practice still further. The manager has made effective use of additional funding to help narrow the gaps in children's progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The key person system works well and information from parents is used successfully by staff to assess children's starting points. Children's progress is then monitored effectively as staff frequently and accurately assess how well they are doing. They regularly share this information with parents and other professionals so that any worries can be acted upon. There are good opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills both inside and out. Mathematical development is promoted well throughout the day. Children are regularly encouraged to count and add and more able children are able to accurately add together large numbers such as fourteen and eight. There are good opportunities for children to problem solve, for example by using the large wooden bricks outside to construct buildings.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children have secure attachments with staff and this means that they settle quickly into preschool and happily choose where they want to play. Children know how to take turns, for example, when using magnets in the sand. They are learning to be independent and manage their personal needs, when, for instance, they change into their wellingtons for outside play. Children show an interest in the world around them. They spend time by looking at a globe to find different countries and know how to say 'hello' and count in different languages. They learn how to respect differences when, for example, parents are invited in to share their skills and culture.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children enjoy their time at pre-school. They particularly like the outside area where they discover, explore and experiment, for example, at the water wall and in the 'fairy garden'. Staff work closely with local schools so that children are well prepared when they start. The children are given opportunities to practise skills in readiness for school such as changing clothes and opening packets in their packed lunch boxes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY417834 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 1040489 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 41 Name of provider Joanna Gallop Date of previous inspection 20 November 2015 Telephone number 01761 435067

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Setting details

St Nicholas Pre-School registered in 2010. It operates from a building attached to St Nicholas Primary School in Radstock, Bath and North East Somerset. The pre-school is open each weekday from 8.30am until 3.30pm during term time. The pre-school receives funding for free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs five members of staff. All staff hold childcare qualifications at level 3.

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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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