Holy Apostles Pre-School

Holy Apostles Playgroup Holy Apostles C of E School, Battledown Approach, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6QZ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 July 2016 13 October 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

 The manager has made improvements since the last inspection. For example, she has changed the way she recruits staff and monitors their practice such as by appointing a member of staff to be in charge of training and to make sure staff receive regular supervision and appraisals. They use their skills and knowledge to plan activities that meet children's needs well.  The manager and staff have strong relationships with parents. Staff exchange regular information with parents to establish children's starting points and plan experiences that meet children's interests and needs. Children make good progress in their learning.  The children form secure attachments with their key person. Where possible, the key person is the same for siblings and they know the children and family well. New children feel safe and secure, and settle well.  The staff prepare children well for moving on to school. Children have the opportunity

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This provision is good

to visit the Reception class, join in activities and get to know the teachers. Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, when most children are expected to listen to stories or join group times, staff do not give all children consistent messages about what is expected of them.  Staff do not make the most of all opportunities to support children's learning using modern technology.

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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

 provide more consistent messages for children about what staff expect of them, especially at routine group times and during transitions  increase the availability and support for children to explore and use different technologies in ways that further their learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching for children indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector examined paperwork, including children's records, and policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager reviews and evaluates the setting well. She takes the views of staff, children, committee members and parents into account to help identify and make improvements. The manager has made changes to the environment and some routine times. For example, snack tables are now put in the room near the toilets so that children can wash their hands and sit straight down to eat. In addition, the children can now choose when they want to eat snack. Staff work closely with professionals and other settings children attend. This helps to provide continuity in children's care and learning. Safeguarding is effective. The manager makes sure that staff carry out daily risk assessments. All staff know what to do if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make accurate assessments and they and the manager monitor children's learning and development well. All children are inquisitive learners and join in with different experiences. For example, children experimented with different shaped wands in the bubble mixture, and staff used the opportunity to teach children mathematics. When children lined up the bubble bottles, staff encouraged the children to count them and then helped the children to measure the line with a tape measure. Children use their imagination well. They dressed up as builders and built a wall, using a wheelbarrow to move the bricks and a trowel to spread the sand. They explored ways to make the blocks stick together, such as using sand and water. Children share stories with the staff. They used props and puppets to re-tell a story about a hungry caterpillar, and staff encouraged them to point out letters and words that they recognised.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff teach children about healthy choices in food, such as through discussions about what the caterpillar ate in a story and why he might have felt sick! Children suggested that he ate too many sweet things. Older children show care and concern for others. When they found a beetle on the artificial grass they carried it carefully to the grass so that no one trod on it while they were running. Staff enable children to take safe risks appropriate for their age. For example, staff supported children as they negotiated their way across the climbing apparatus on the school playing field. Children take pride in what they can do; for example, when they create a sticker picture or use the right building blocks for their swords.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning. They are confident speaking to others, and are willing to join in with most activities and learn well. Children show good self-care skills, such as opening food packets and cutting the tops off yogurt tubes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 510068 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1030897 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Holy Apostles' Pavillion Groups Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 October 2015 Telephone number 01242 526858

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reference number

Holy Apostles Playgroup registered in 1994. It is located in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. It opens from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and from 9am to midday on Wednesday and Thursday, term time only. The provider receives funding to provide free early years education to children aged two, three and four years. There are eight members of staff; seven of whom have relevant childcare qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The manager holds early years professional status.

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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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