Cottonstones Preschool Play Group Inc

Cottonstones Preschool Play Group Inc St Marys Church, Mill Bank, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 3EU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 September 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is inadequate

 The committee is not fully aware of their roles and responsibilities with regard to the full implementation of the early years foundation stage statutory framework. This is because they have not focused on the learning and development or welfare requirements, but have prioritised other organisational aspects such as finance.  The systems for the supervision of staff are not robust and do not support staff in their role; nor do they focus on the continued professional development of staff.  The process for including parents in supporting their children's learning at home is currently being embedded. Additionally, staff are less effective in fully seeking information on what children can do and already know, when completing baseline assessments.  The evaluation of the setting is not yet effective in identifying areas for improvement, gathering information, or prioritising and setting clear targets for implementation.

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It has the following strengths

 Teaching is good. Children enjoy their time and are happy at the pre-school. They are active and delight in making choices about what they want to do. Children are making consistently good progress across all areas of learning.  Independence is very well promoted throughout all activities. Children are expected to manage their own needs, and this helps to develop their self-confidence and support their emotional well-being.  Staff know the children well and have built positive relationship with them. Children are well behaved and play cooperatively together.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 make sure the committee are fully aware of their responsibilities regarding the implementation of the early years foundation stage learning and development and welfare requirements, and the management of the staff and pre-school 10/10/2016

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Due Date

 implement robust arrangements for the supervision of staff to provide support, coaching and a culture of continuous improvement and include arrangements for their continued professional development. 30/09/2016

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 develop the process for the evaluation of the setting to include the committee, parents and children and set clear targets for improvement with precise timescales for implementation  embed the recently implemented process for involving parents more in their child's learning, including the seeking of information on what children already know and can do at home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector undertook a tour of the premises.  The inspector observed activities and the quality of teaching in all of the playrooms and outdoors.  The inspector sampled children's assessment records, planning documentation and a range of other records, policies and procedures.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, the provider's self-evaluation and improvement plans.  The inspector took account of the views of children, staff and parents spoken to on the day of inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The committee has not focused on the management of the pre-school and staff team. Their understanding of the expectations and legal responsibilities placed upon them are not secure enough. They have failed to implement procedures for supporting staff and developing staff skills. That said, the staff team has a solid understanding of the early years foundation stage and this has a positive impact on the provision and the progress children are making. Staff are qualified in early years. The evaluation of the setting is weak. This is because the committee and parents have not been asked to contribute to the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. This fails to provide the staff team and committee with a comprehensive understanding of what needs to be addressed and to set clear targeted plans for continuous improvement. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have attended training and know what to do should

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

they have a concern about a child. Parents are included in their child's learning taking place at the pre-school but links with home are less effective. At present, there are no external agencies involved. The manager and staff monitor the progress children are making. Any gaps in children's learning are swiftly identified and addressed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children's learning and development is promoted effectively. Staff track children's progress and identify what they need to learn next. Information from observation and assessment is used well to plan for children's ongoing, good progress. Older children delight in making bug hotels and discuss the creatures that may live there, naming ladybirds and snails. Younger children enjoy going to feed the chickens and are excited as they throw their bread and watch the chicken's chase after it. Staff skilfully introduce mathematics, numbers, colours and letters as children play. They extend children's thinking and use questioning skilfully. A broad range of exciting activities is provided to take into account children's interests and likes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff work well with parents to provide a consistent approach to children's care needs. Staff praise children as they play and this helps them to feel valued and helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. Good opportunities for children to explore their physical skills are provided. For example, children climb on the equipment, ride bikes and run freely during such activities. Additionally, these activities support children's understanding of, and ability to practise taking calculated risks. Children develop healthy lifestyles as they learn about positive hygiene and healthy eating.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress considering their starting points. They are confident and are learning to share and respect others. They are active children who demonstrate the characteristics of effective learning. Children are prepared well for school and their future learning. They are independent, listen well and are able to communicate effectively.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488597 Local authority Calderdale Inspection number 1013295 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Cottonstones Preschool Playgroup Inc

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01422 823403

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reference number

Cottonstones Preschool Play Group Inc, was re-registered in 2015. The pre-school employs two members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5 and one at level 3. There is an additional member of staff to provide cover when needed. The pre-school opens on Tuesday to Friday and term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm, including the wraparound lunch period. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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

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