Phoenix Pre-School

Phoenix Pre-School Riders Infant School, Kingsclere Avenue, Havant, Hampshire. PO9 4RY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 June 2016 26 June 2015

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 Children thoroughly enjoy their time at pre-school. They benefit from very close relationships with the staff and good support for their learning and development. As a result, children make good progress and start school ready to learn.  The quality of teaching is good. Staff are skilled practitioners who clearly understand how children learn through play, both inside and outside.  The pre-school manager works tirelessly to support the staff and improve the provision. She regularly monitors the quality of teaching and helps staff to develop their skills.  Pre-school staff work very closely with the linked school and other local schools. They share important information about children's learning and the progress they make. As a result, Reception teachers gain a good understanding of each child's personal needs and this helps children to settle quickly when they move on to school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Very occasionally, targeted strategies to support children's speech and language development have not always started promptly when children first join the 'Little Room'.  Senior staff are only just beginning to monitor the rates of progress different groups of children make.

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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 teaching even further to address any delays in the youngest children's communication skills at the earliest opportunity to make sure any gaps in children's learning close at a rapid pace  make better use of assessment information to demonstrate how gaps in different groups of children's learning close.

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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 talked to staff at convenient times during the session about how they plan for children's individual learning needs and keep children safe.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the pre-school manager to evaluate the quality of provision.  The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager and the chairperson of the management committee.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including confirmation of staff qualifications and training, suitability checks, records of children's learning and progress, and safeguarding documents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The pre-school is led by a strong and effective manager. New members of the management committee are taking an active role in contributing towards the ongoing development of the pre-school. Procedures for monitoring staff practice are good. The manager has an accurate view of each staff member's strengths and development points. Supervision meetings and annual appraisals mean staff regularly reflect on their practice and identify their own training needs. The leadership team regularly monitors the progress individual children make and uses funding appropriately to support children's individual learning needs. Safeguarding is effective. Children's safety and security is given high priority and staff are fully aware of their responsibilities in supporting children's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make learning fun and plan a wide range of stimulating, challenging activities. Children benefit from plenty of individual attention from staff who are skilled in supporting their learning. Staff speak to children clearly; they ask questions which encourage children to think and they develop children's knowledge through practical experiences. For example, in the 'Big Room' children played games with objects to help them learn the concepts of 'behind', 'in front of' and 'next to'. In the 'Little Room', staff are skilled in building children's social skills. They help them learn to play with their friends and develop their independence.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children know the staff well and build positive relationships with them. As a result, children feel settled and secure. When the doors are opened between the two rooms and the outside area, even the youngest children are confident to explore all areas freely. Staff take time to get to know each child and family and respect them for their individuality. This creates a very positive, inclusive environment within the pre-school where each child feels valued. Staff help children develop a good awareness of safety. For example, every day a child from each room assists a staff member in recording a risk assessment of the outside area. Children's behaviour is consistently good. They play well together and staff act as positive role models, helping children to understand acceptable boundaries. Children's health and well-being is promoted well. The well-resourced outside area encourages children to be physically active.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in their learning and development from their individual starting points. Those who need extra help are generally supported well and staff work closely with other agencies to provide targeted help. As a result, children develop important skills which help them become ready for their transfer to school. For example, they show interest in all activities; they concentrate well, ask questions and develop a very positive attitude towards learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 507939 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1037429 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 50 Number of children on roll 89 Name of registered person Phoenix Pre-School Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 June 2015 Telephone number 02392498500

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reference number

Phoenix Pre-School has been established since 1981. It operates from a purpose-built building on the site of Riders Infant School, situated in the Leigh Park area of Portsmouth. The pre-school is open each weekday from 8.50am to 11.45pm and from 12pm to 3pm during term times. Funding is accepted for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. A team of 14 staff work with the children, all of whom are qualified in early years. The manager is qualified to foundation degree level.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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