St Gabriels Church Playgroup

St Gabriels Church Playgroup Rectory Road, Pitsea, Essex, SS13 2NW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 April 2016 9 December 2010

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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

 Staff provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where children can play, explore and engage with a broad selection of toys, resources and activities. This promotes their free choice and emerging interests and also strengthens children's confidence to try new activities.  The pre-school has effective settling-in arrangements and there are very positive relationships between children, staff and parents.  The staff are respectful and patient, acting as good role models for children. This is one way that staff support children to be well behaved, polite and friendly.  Staff identify individual children's particular educational or emotional needs well. Staff respond to these needs sensitively and effectively to help children develop a strong sense of well-being.  Parents are very complimentary about the manager and her team and value the opportunities to engage in their children's learning, both in the pre-school and at home.

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This provision is good

 The pre-school manager evaluates the quality of the provision regularly and effectively to help ensure that it meets her high expectations.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The monitoring of staff practice is not yet rigorous enough to raise the already good quality teaching to an even higher level.  At times, staff do not extend children's thinking skills during play, such as through questioning, to develop further their problem-solving skills.

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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

 build on systems already in place for monitoring and evaluating staff practice, in order to raise the quality of teaching and learning to an outstanding level  explore ways to extend children's ability to think more critically and solve problems, to help strengthen their learning opportunities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both inside and outside.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager.  The inspector held discussions with the pre-school manager and other members of staff. She also spoke to children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector sampled relevant documentation, such as, the pre-school's self- evaluation, records of children's progress and documents relating to safeguarding.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are knowledgeable about the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Recruitment procedures are robust, with effective processes to help staff understand their roles and responsibilities. Managers and staff have a well-established programme of professional development. For example, they have regular individual and team meetings. They attend a wide variety of training to update their skills and knowledge, to enhance their teaching practice and to improve children's outcomes. They successfully monitor the progress that children make in their learning and development. Parents are fully involved in contributing to their children's assessments and development. Partnerships with the local schools are well established to help smooth children's move to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Managers and staff complete regular observations and accurate assessments of what children can do and use this information well to help plan activities to support children's interests. Children particularly enjoy listening to favourite stories as they confidently re- enact and predict what will happen next. Children make good links to their own first-hand experiences. For example, they applaud their friends as they sing songs and recall their own events and singing at home. Children use their imaginations and enjoy discovering new experiences. For example, they dress up in the colourful handmade outfits, collect food in their baskets and prepare pretend meals for staff and peers. Children take part in scientific activities. They make volcanoes by mixing together bicarbonate of soda, water and food colouring and are fascinated by how it expands and changes shape.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and model respectful and courteous behaviour at all times. They promote good manners, respect and caring attitudes well. Staff encourage children to become independent and take responsibility for themselves, such as when preparing to go outdoors. Children share resources well and clearly enjoy each others' company. Staff promote healthy eating and develop children's understanding of the importance of exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are highly motivated, relaxed and at ease. They enjoy learning and exploring the activities available. They find activities absorbing and engage with them with good concentration. Children develop good social skills and high levels of confidence. Children have effective opportunities to practise and develop their skills in writing their name and using chalks in the outside learning environment. Children are starting to recognise numbers. For example, during group time they count confidently the number of children in attendance today. Children develop the key skills they need for their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101700 Local authority Essex Inspection number 869596 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 26 Number of children on roll 40 Name of provider The Chelmsford Diocesan Board Of Finance Date of previous inspection 9 December 2010 Telephone number 01268 555671

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Setting details

St Gabriels Church Playgroup opened in 1969 in Pitsea, Essex. The pre-school employs seven members of staff, most of whom hold appropriate childcare qualifications to at least level 2. The pre-school is open four days a week during school term times on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am and 11.30am and between 1pm and 3.30pm and on Fridays from 9am and 11.30am.

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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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